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Center on Community Living and Careers

Financial Literacy

The knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make responsible financial decisions.

Financial literacy is a category of information that includes things like budgeting, paying bills, spending, using credit wisely, saving, and managing benefits. Asset Development —saving and investing for the future— is an key component of financial literacy. To watch or listen to a brief presentation on financial literacy basics, click here.

Resources
Funny Money Man —a short (and amusing) YouTube video introducing basic money management concepts.

Money-Smart Financial Curriculum (Free!)— a website from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with a wealth of free information on financial literacy topics.

Purdue Extension Resources—a website from Purdue Cooperative Extension Services featuring a variety of free resources about financial education.

Envelope Budgeting—a short YouTube, how-to video describing an easy-to-learn, low-tech budgeting and money management technique.

 

Taxes

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax filing help to people with low to moderate income. Trained VITA volunteers can also help with special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled, or the Child Tax Credit. To find a VITA site near you, call 1-800-906-9887 or click here.

People who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit may be able to receive a refund from the IRS if the EITC is more than the amount of taxes owed. Refunds can help with asset development if they are deposited into and Individual Development Account.

 

Webinars
-Archived Webinars

“Things to know about benefits!” (November 2010)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to commonly asked questions about financial literacy and asset development.

 

Agency Links
Indiana Community Action Agencies (INCAA) Find your local community action agency and ask about Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and other asset development and financial literacy resources in your community.

Indiana Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Find out about home ownership, Section 8, foreclosure help and other programs that can help individuals become more self-sufficient.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Find out about programs that can help you build your assets and contribute to better communities, with access to opportunities, goods, and services.

National Disability Institute (NDI) Explore the website of a leading advocacy organization, dedicated to a better economic situation for all individuals with disabilities.

CFED– Discover an organization that promotes innovation in policy and action to help low income-individuals and families build wealth through innovative solutions.

Glossary

Terms and related resources