Saving Resources

Below you will find links to helpful websites.

Budgeting | Credit & Debt | Cutting Costs | Financial Planning | Investing | Military | Retirement
 Savings Products | Saving for College | State Employees | Taxes

Budgeting

• Budget Worksheet (pdf)
  Budget worksheet from the Financial Planning Association.
• Meal Planning and Budgeting
  Tips and information from the USDA.

Credit and Debt

• Credit Counseling
  Certified credit counselors provide individual, confidential counseling in-person, by phone, or over the Internet. Find a credit counselor near you.
• Guide to Credit and Credit Scores
  A consumers guide to credit and credit scores from the Federal Reserve.
• AnnualCreditReport.com
  Receive your free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com
• Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself
  Information from the Federal Trade Commission on repairing bad credit.
• More Credit and Debt Resources
  More links to resources about debt from the Federal Trade Commission.

Cutting Costs

• 66 Ways to Save Money
  66 ways to save money from the Federal Trade Commission.
• Saving on Energy
  Information from the FTC on how to save on energy.
• Reduce Your Energy Bill
  Tips from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
• Tips for Cutting Costs on Prescription Drugs
  Tips from the Washington State Prescription Drug Program.
• Reduce Commuting Costs
  Tips and information from the Washington State Department of Transportation on how to reinvent your commute and save money.
• Discover Free and Cheap Washington Adventures
  Cut entertainment costs by experiencing Washington's natural beauties. Visit Experience Washington for free or low cost ideas.

Financial Planning

• Certified Financial Planners
  Certified financial planners can help you develop a retirement or financial plan.
• Financial Planning Association - Financial Planner Search
  The Financial Planning Association website allows you to find a financial planner near you.
• AARP Retirement Planning
  Information and articles from AARP regarding retirement planning.
• Financial Field Manual for Military Families (pdf)
  From the Investor Protection Trust and Kiplinger Magazine. A personal financial guide for military families.

Investing

• Free Investor Education Booklets
  7 investor education booklets available for free from DFI, in partnership with Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, the Investor Protection Trust and the American Library Association. Topics covered include: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more.
• Investor.Gov
  Information about investing wisely from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• SaveandInvest.org
  Investor resources for military families and investors 55+ from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
• Investor Protection Trust
  The Investor Protection Trust provides independent, objective information to help consumers make informed investment decisions.
• Top Investment Traps in Washington
  The most common investment traps in Washington as identified by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.

Military

• Military Saves
  Military Saves encourages the military community to save and provides resources and information to help you get started.
• Financial Field Manual (pdf)
  The "Financial Field Manual" focuses on the key issues that can help military families make informed investing decisions, protect their money and their families, and take charge of their financial lives. The 20-page booklet also features success stories from service members and their families.

Retirement

• Retirement Savings Tips
  Tips on saving for retirement from the American Savings Education Council.
• Ballpark Estimate
  The Ballpark E$timate is an easy-to-use, two-page worksheet that helps you quickly identify approximately how much you need to save to fund a comfortable retirement.
• Retire Online - It's So Easy
  Social Security offers an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes.
• How to Apply Online for Retirement Benefits Factsheet
  Information from the Social Security Administration.
• When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits
  Information from the Social Security Administration about when to start receiving retirement benefits.
• Washington State’s Deferred Compensation Program
  This program is available to Washington State public employers and their employees.

Savings Products

• Saving and Investment Products
  Explanation of the different type of saving and investment products from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
  Information from the IRS about IRAs and their tax advantages.
• Compare Rates
  Bankrate.com allows you to compare rates for different financial products.
• Certificates of Deposits - Tips for Savers
  Information from the FDIC about Certificates of Deposits.
• Savings Bonds Calculator
  Approximate the future value of your savings bonds and show how much and how long it will take to reach your goals.
• Savings Bonds, Current Value Calculators
  Online calculator that calculates how much your savings bonds are worth.

Saving for College

• FINRA – Saving for College
  Information about saving for college from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
• Guaranteed Education Tuition Program
  GET is Washington's 529 plan, helping families save for college. With GET, your account is guaranteed to keep pace with rising tuition and you can use it at nearly any public or private college in the country.
• Paying for College
  Go to College.gov to learn the basics – how to pay for college and ways to be money smart once you’re there.
• Scholarships and Grants
  Studentaid.ed.gov provides links to government grant programs in addition to private grants and scholarships.
• Introduction to 529 Plans
  An introduction to 529 plans from Investor.Gov.
• Student Aid
  Information about student aid from the federal government.

For State Employees

• Washington Deferred Compensation Program (pdf)
  The Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) is a supplemental retirement savings program that offers state employees the opportunity to invest money toward securing their retirement.
• Department of Retirement Systems
  The Department of Retirement Systems is the administrator over Washington public retirement systems. Their website contains helpful information and education about their programs and pension benefits.

Taxes

• Free Tax Preparation
  If you earn less than $51,000 or are 60 and older, you may qualify to have your taxes prepared for free.
• Earned Income Tax Credit
  Low- and moderate-income workers may qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit. The credit can put more than $1,000, and often more than $2,000, in your pocket. See if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Internal Revenue Service
  Information and helpful tips for tax payers.