On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the economic stimulus plan. Congress and the Obama Administration acted in the wake of an economic crisis spurred by a deepening recession. Among its aims in passing the ARRA, Congress moved to help states and local jurisdictions reduce…

This report explains savings accounts and low-deposit investments in order to help consumers determine which accounts are right for them. It is divided into the following four sections (topics covered are listed in parentheses): (1) the savings program (setting savings goals, saving regularly, choosing a savings account, interest, the savings…

This report presents information on checking accounts, describes how to read a monthly statement from the bank, and provides guidelines for balancing a checkbook. Topics covered include: how banks record transactions; the importance of keeping personal records and of balancing the checkbook promptly; what happens when there are insufficient funds…

This report gives suggestions for starting a personal money plan, provides a worksheet for developing the plan, and offers ideas for putting the plan into action. Guidelines are presented for the following steps in developing a money plan: setting short- and long-term spending and saving goals; making a timetable for reaching those goals;…

This report describes principles and techniques for credit management. Topics covered include: (1) methods of determining personal credit limits; (2) ways to keep track of credit use; (3) suggestions for planning credit use; (4) explanations of single-payment charge accounts, revolving credit, installment credit, and consolidation loans; and (5)…

This student/teacher resource booklet provides information on conserving food dollars while providing nutritious meals. The guide shows how to set up a food budget and explains how scanning the weekly food ads, planning meals around the specials, and compiling a list accordingly can also help consumers get more for their food dollars. Numerous…

To be economically secure, families need both income and assets. Regular income helps families pay for their daily living expenses. In contrast, families need assets to weather financial hardships and get ahead. Assets provide a safety net for coping with unanticipated expenses and emergencies that could otherwise cause significant financial…

This booklet is designed to help first-time car buyers determine if they can or should buy a car and how to get the most from their car-buying dollar. Leasing and renting options also are discussed. The booklet outlines the process of buying a new car, starting with a review of sizes, types, and features. This is followed by a rundown on showroom…

This document contains 29 two-page reports on credit, business credit, direct marketing, and real estate data prepared by the credit reporting company, TRW, for consumers. Topics covered are the following: consumer credit reports, how to obtain a copy of a consumer credit report, how credit bureaus compile consumer credit reports, the role of…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this booklet briefly explains the terminology associated with general economic concepts about banking and the Federal Reserve System. Part 1 deals with financial regulators and institutions, including nondeposit intermediaries and depository…

This annual report of the Ministry of Learning contains the minister's accountability statement, the audited consolidated financial statements of the ministry, and a comparison of actual performance results with desired results set out in the ministry business plan. It also includes the financial statements of entities making up the ministry,…

Reform efforts involving school finance have focused on the state's role in equalizing expenditures across all districts within a state. Despite these efforts, little attention has been given to differing expenditures among school within districts. In analyzing differences in spending across schools and students in Cincinnati, Seattle, and…

Making effective financial decisions and knowing how to manage money are skills critical to enjoying a secure financial future. Yet many individuals and families lack the knowledge necessary to make sound financial choices, as evidenced by falling savings rates, mounting consumer debt, and a growing dependence on alternative banking institutions.…

This brochure contains suggestions for individuals repaying student loans on how they might benefit from Direct Loans, a program which consolidates multiple loans into a single account and offers favorable repayment terms, convenience, financial flexibility, and competitive interest rates. The brochure contains information on factors to be…

Designed for teachers of students in grades 4-8, this program provides specific, easy-to-do activities for use with volunteers, parents, and students. Following a brief introduction explaining program procedures, the document is organized into four chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on jobs, including ways to do a job well, find useful jobs in school and…