Free Materials from Practical Money Skills

Practical Money Skills For Life aims for financial literacy for everyone. They offer a variety of free products in aiding both consumers and classrooms. If you're still in the beginning stages of getting your finances in order, some of these products might be helpful to your progress.

Some of the free items offered:

Practical Money Skills at Home CD-ROM
"The calculators and games on Practical Money Skills At Home CD-ROM make learning financial management skills easy and fun:
Games
Cash Puzzler, Ed's Bank, Financial Football (standard), Financial Football (advanced), Countdown to Retirement, Road Trip to Savings and The Smart Money Quiz Show
Calculators
Save a Million, Rework Budget, Retirement, Cost of Credit, Cost of Loans, Auto Loan, Save for College, Entertainment Planner, Gift Log, Holidays, Mortgage, Back to School Budgeting and Travel Calculator"

Practical Money Guides: Complete Set
"Covering everything from credit cards to budget basics to the ins and outs of a credit history, these brochures educate consumers on the key issues of financial responsibility."

Practical Money Guide: Budget Basics
"A budget can help you pay your bills on time, cover unexpected emergencies, and reach your financial goals now and in the future. Most of the information you need for your budget is already at your fingertips. This guide explains how to create a budget and stick to it."

Practical Money Guide: Credit Card Basics
"Credit cards can be powerful financial tools for you and your family, and as with all financial tools, they need to be used carefully. This guide outlines the basics of credit cards and the responsible use of credit."

Practical Money Guide: Credit History
"To get a glimpse of your financial future, many businesses look at your financial past. This history is contained in your credit report. Your credit report determines everything from qualifying for a loan, the rate you'll pay on that loan, getting a new job, renting an apartment and obtaining car insurance. This guide explains what credit bureaus are, why your credit history matters, and how to correct credit report errors and keep your credit rating strong."

Practical Money Guide: Debit Card Basics
"If credit cards mean 'pay later,' debit cards mean 'pay now.' These cards are tied to your bank account and are like paying with cash. With debit cards, you've got to have the money in the bank to cover your purchases. These cards look similar to credit cards so make sure you know what type of card your financial institution issued you."

Practical Money Guide: Identity Theft
"When your personal financial information gets into the wrong hands, the consequences can be devastating. It's critical to understand how identity theft and card fraud can happen to you. The information provided here will help you avoid becoming a victim and tell you what you can do if your identity is stolen."