At what age will you retire?

Newsworthy	August 2008

Smart uses for your tax refund
Each year, roughly 70 percent of Americans get an income tax refund. Thanks to the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, beginning in early May most also will receive an additional tax rebate check of up to $600 (up to $1,200 for joint filers) - even those who don't earn enough to owe federal income tax.

Innovative Educator: Teresa Cassin, Egg Harbor Township High School, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
The students in Teresa Cassin's financial classes are all business. Literally. They "clock in" to the classroom at Egg Harbor Township High School; write resumes and letters of resignation; and have their pay docked if they're late. It's a model workplace and Cassin's way to bring her teaching philosophy to life. An adamant believer in the connection between conceptual classroom theory and the reality of "real world" application, her students are learning and living financial responsibility. Read more...

Back–to–School Spending: Hit the Books, Not Your Wallet
In 2007 Americans spent nearly $18 billion back–to–school shopping, says the National Retail Federation. But in 2008 people are spending less to make a passing grade. According to a national survey by the consulting firm Deloitte, 71% of respondents say they'll spend less money on back–to–school items this year than last. And 83% of people surveyed report they'll spend less on clothes, while 50% say they'll spend less on shoes, and about one third of respondents will reduce spending on backpacks. To help you save more this season, we've assembled a Back–to–School Guide for budgeting and spending tips for the school year.Read More

Back–to–School Budgeting Guide

Back-to-School Budgeting Calculator – figure out what you're going to spend with this online calculator.
Back–to–School Shopping Tips – find out ways to save on all those supplies.

Financial Literacy Education: Early intervention is everything
Jean Chatzky on Financial Education
There's a very simple reason so many millions of Americans find themselves overwhelmed by personal debt. They don't know any better. They've just never received training that could help them manage their finances.

Money management skills aren't something you're born with. They're something you're taught and learn how to do. Yet millions of young adults graduate from high school and college without basic skills - things like balancing a checkbook or critically comparing credit card offers. Read More

Watch online. Anytime. Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 On-Demand Video
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Visa Inc. thank all who watched the Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 webcast on April 21st. This year's event was a unique gathering of some of our nation’s leading thinkers and practitioners in the field of financial literacy education. We heard extraordinary insights, powerful inspiration, and new and surprising connection. Watch now.

Free FICO® Score Estimator
Keep on top of the scores - not of the big games, but of your own credit risk. Use Visa's free score estimator from FICO®, the most trusted name in credit scoring, to answer 10 easy questions. Based on your answers, you'll get a free estimated range of your three scores from the main credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Your FICO scores affect the amount and terms of loans lenders offer you. Stay ahead of the financial game and get your score today.

Jason Alderman’s Practical Money Matters

August 15, 2008
Share financial 'facts of life' with your freshman
Forget the birds and the bees: One of the most difficult – yet most important – discussions you can have with your children before they head off to college concerns the financial facts of life. Because a few early financial missteps can damage their credit for years to come, it's important to set your kids out on the right path.

August 08, 2008
Trim your back-to-school expenses
It usually bugs me when retailers start hawking events months before they happen – like selling Halloween candy before Labor Day or displaying barbeque grills while it's still freezing outside. But sometimes a little forewarning is a good idea.

August 01, 2008
Why is gas so expensive?
The news at the pump is grim: With the average cost of a gallon of gas well above $4 and rising, people are asking, "What happened?" Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. But here is what government and industry experts say are some key factors that impact fuel prices.