Women's Council > Financial Literacy

Financial Literacy

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Disclaimer

The information contained in the Women’s Council’s Financial Management & Education Resource Directory, Brochure, Bookmark and other materials is intended for general purpose only. Data contained herein has been produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable; no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of the information. The State of Wisconsin and the Women’s Council provide this information on an "as is" basis. All warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, freedom from contamination by computer viruses and non-infringement of proprietary rights are disclaimed. The State of Wisconsin and the Women’s Council do not evaluate, recommend or endorse organizations included in the directory. Inclusion in the directory does not constitute an endorsement of an organization or its service, nor should exclusion constitute disapproval. Every effort is made to ensure the data contained in this online directory is as accurate as possible. The State of Wisconsin and the Women’s Council assumes no responsibility for omissions or errors and reserves the right to edit information to meet the format and standards of the database. The Women’s Council is not liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect or special damages resulting from using this directory. The user agrees to defend, indemnify and hold the information providers harmless from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from use of resource directory.

Economic Security

The Wisconsin Women's Council is a proud supporter of and partner in Money Smart Wisconsin efforts to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy. This year, the Women's Council held two webinars focused on strengthening women's financial literacy to build economic security, particularly in retirement. These evergreen webinars are now available on-demand--follow the links below!

Webinar 1: Financial Empowerment for Women encourages women to evaluate their relationship with money and take the first step toward more proactively managing their investments. The presentation highlights the red flags of investment fraud, outlines how to investigate before investing and offers tips and tricks to face any financial transition with confidence.

Presenters:

Leslie Van Buskirk - Administrator, Division of Securities at the Dept. of Financial Institutions

Lindsey Fedler - Staff Attorney, Division of Securities at the Dept. of Financial Institutions

Webinar 2: Women's Economic Security in Retirement & Aging looks at how women are faring with being financial ready and secure in retirement and how to meet their financial needs as they get older. Issues of pay equity, wage gaps, wealth gaps, and time away from the workforce all contribute to retirement savings gaps and women experiencing economic insecurity in their golden years.

Presenters:

Dr. Katie Fitzpatrick - Associate Professor of Consumer Science, UW-Madison School of Human Ecology and the Retirement and Disability Research Center

Grace Trewartha - Financial Coach and Founder & CEO, Live Beneath Your Means, LLC

Real women - Real challenges - Real resources

Overwhelmed with sure where to start?

Aren't sure what questions to ask or want some inspiration

Where ever you are in life, there are practical resources to help tune-up or gain control of your financial life. Contact your bank or a not-for-profit financial education program for resources and classes. You can also use resources government and not-for-profit websites and apps, like those below, to learn about your money challenges and opportunities, set goals, and find resources.

Get Started Today

Before you know it, you will be on your way to a more secure financial future!

Free Annual Credit Reports

Don't be fooled. Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them. You are entitled to three free credit reports every year. Learn how to use your credit report and what to look for to protect your credit and spot identity theft.

Selected Resources

Approved Credit Counseling Organizations

Know before you go! Check out this state-by-state listing of government-approved credit counseling organizations. There is also a state-by-state list of approved agencies offering services in languages other than English and Spanish. Offered by the U.S. Trustee Program.

Edvest

Start a college fund on behalf of your child. Learn about saving for college and how to make saving affordable. The Edvest College Savings Plan is offered by the State of Wisconsin.

GreenPath Debt Solutions

Free debt-counseling, over the phone or in person. GreenPath is a national nonprofit, focused on financial wellness. They promote an individualized and creative strategies to becoming debt-free.

www.MyMoney.gov

Dedicated to financial education, the website provides free tools and information to help with financial decision-making, including helpful tools, calculators, checklists and other practical resources for a wide variety of topics, money issues and challenges and life events. Sections for kids, including with information, games and fun facts about money, saving and planning for the future; and teachers, including lesson plans, tip sheets, and helpful tools for teaching financial capability.

Practical Money Skills

Practical Money Skills for life. Interactive tools and educational resources to help individuals and communities build stronger financial futures. Covers a wide variety of money issues - from working your budget, to savings, credit and debt - plus tools to help with life events such as going to college or buying a care.

Retirement Toolkit

The Retirement Toolkit was created by the three federal agencies involved in key elements of your retirement planning and security: Department of Labor, Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Test Your Financial Knowledge

Compare it to others in Wisconsin and Nationally with 5 questions from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

Wisconsin Office of Consumer Protection

The Office of Consumer Protection has authority to regulate unfair business practices. Resources for consumers:

Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline; consumers can contact our hotline staff by email at DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov or through our toll-free hotline at (800) 422-7128.
Wisconsin’s telemarketing “Do Not Call” Law (over 4.5 million Wisconsin numbers re registered).
Education on combating and avoiding identity theft. They also help with recovery services to identity theft victims with the aid of the Identity Theft Assistance Team.

Wisconsin Saves

Start Small - Think Big! Wisconsin Saves is a statewide initiative devoted to promoting financial awareness and encouraging financial action among people of all economic levels. Through resources, savings strategies and access to diverse products, Wisconsin Saves believes that anyone can build wealth by developing positive spending and saving habits. Don't wait any longer... Become a Wisconsin saver.

360 Degrees of Financial Liberty

A free program of the nation’s certified public accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances through every stage of life

Selected Conferences and Events

Asset Builders

For Youth. Offers a variety of programs targeted to low and moderate-income youth, young adults and families. Current programs include The Money Conference, Finance & Investment Challenge Bowl, Youth P.O.W.E.R. Academy of Finance, The Millionaires’ Club, Go4It!, as well as our Got Money! Teen Conference. Events across Wisconsin. See the Asset Builders website for programs and dates.

Please read the Disclaimer on the intended use and limitations of the resource directory.