Resources

Helpful Organizations

Posted by Jean

People often ask me for useful independent resources. Here are some organizations – government, business, and non-profit – that can help with everything from managing debt to saving for college or retirement. They’re organized by topic and type of organization, and links are provided for all sites. Scroll down after the jump and have a look – you never know when one of these will come in handy!

DEBT

Associations

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling
www.nfcc.org
301-589-5600
Search for a member agency, access free debt advice and more

Websites

Annualcreditreport.com
www.annualcreditreport.com
Request a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.

National Consumer Law Center
www.consumerlaw.org
202-452-6252
Our nation’s consumer law expert, NCLC works to combat unfair business practices by collection agencies

MONEY AND LIFE

Government Agencies

The Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
The Federal Trade Commission website provides information and resources to help protect consumers

Associations

The Financial Planning Association
www.fpanet.org
1-800-322-4237
Tips, tools, articles and about financial planning, search for a Certified Financial Planner

The National Association of Personal Finance Advisors (NAPFA)
www.napfa.org
847-483-5400
Search for a Fee-Only comprehensive financial planning professional

Government Organizations

MyMoney.gov
www.mymoney.gov
The US government’s website dedicated to educating Americans on financial basics

Websites

The Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org
703-276-0100
Search for BBB accredited businesses

Edmunds.com
www.edmunds.com
Advice on all aspects of leasing a vehicle

The Garrett Planning Network
www.garrettplanningnetwork.com
1-866-260-8400
An international network of independent financial advisors and planners offering hourly, as-needed financial planning and advice

IDENTITY THEFT AND SCAMS

Government Resources

National Do Not Call Registry
www.donotcall.gov
1-888-382-1222
Register your phone number to decrease the amount of telemarketing calls you receive

Social Security Online
www.ssa.gov
1-800-772-1213
The official website of the United States Social Security Administration

Websites

Credit Bureau Opt Out Service
www.optoutprescreen.com
1-888-567-8688
Opt out of receiving offers for credit or insurance

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
www.dmachoice.org
212-768-7277, ext. 1500
For $1 you can opt out of unsolicited mail from companies that use the DMA’s mail preference service; register for eMPS which allows you to remove your email address from national lists

MyFico.com
www.myfico.com
1-800-319-4433
Tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft, how to protect your child from identity theft and more

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY

Government Resources

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
www.cms.hhs.gov
1-800-633-4227
Detailed information on Medicare and Medicaid, including information on initiatives, coverage and how to protect yourself from fraud

Websites

Aging With Dignity
www.agingwithdignity.org
1-888- 594-7437
Educational resources and access to the “Five Wishes” legal document that helps you to express how you would like to be treated if you are ill and unable to communicate your wants and needs

BUDGETING/CUTTING SPENDING

Websites

CouponMom.com
www.couponmom.com
Free access to printable coupons, find grocery deals by state, sign up for alerts and more

Debtors Anonymous
www.debtorsanonymous.org
1-800-421-2383
Information, resources and help for compulsive debtors

CREDIT

Credit Bureaus

Experian
www.experian.com
1-888-397-3742
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521

TransUnion
www.transunion.com
1-800-888-4213
2 Baldwin Place
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022

Equifax
www.equifax.com
1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

REAL ESTATE/MORTGAGES

Websites

HSH Associates Financial Publishers
www.hsh.com
1-800-873-2837
The nation’s largest publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Government Organizations

FAFSA4caster
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
1-800-433-3243
Estimate your eligibility for federal aid

Websites

College Savings Plan Network
www.collegesavings.org
Information on 529 plans, compare plans from around the country and estimate costs with their college cost calculator

FinAid
www.finaid.org
Tips, tools and information on funding a college education

Saving For College
www.savingforcollege.com
Information, tools and more to help you plan ahead for college costs

INSURANCE

Websites

Consumer Federation of America
www.consumerfed.org
202-387-6121
Information on variable universal life insurance

eHealthInsurance
www.ehealthinsurance.com
1-800-977-8860
Get quotes on individual, family and small business health insurance plans, compare plans and apply for coverage online

The Insurance Information Institute
www.iii.org
212-346-5500
Search for an insurance company in your state, information on insurance and financial planning

RETIREMENT

Websites

Choose to Save Ballpark E$timate
http://www.choosetosave.org/ballpark
Identify approximately how much you will need to retire

SAVING AND INVESTING

Websites

BankRate.com
www.bankrate.com
561-630-2400
Free rate information on over 300 financial products

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
www.finra.org
301-590-6500
Investor news, tips on investing and market data

TAXES

Government Organizations

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov
1-800-829-1040
The United State’s Internal Revenue Service website

Websites

Charity Navigator
www.charitynavigator.org
201-818-1288
Evaluations of over 5,300 of America’s largest charities, tips and resources on giving to charity,

Guidestar
www.guidestar.org
757-229-4631
Determine a nonprofit’s legitimacy, learn if your donation will be deductible, view a nonprofit’s recent Forms 990, and more

COMMENTS | 4 comments so far

  1. 1

    Jean – I finally sat down and figured out total debt(not including mortage) that we have. The sum $104,000 which I have been taking case advantages out to make payments. I can’t continue so I started searching for options. I purchased your book Money 911 and was very grateful that you talked about debt settlement companies.

    I located a company called Rise Above Debt which is rated a five star, member of BBB and comments by clients were excellent. I called them and spoke with the consultant, went thorough all bills that are paid monthly and net monthly income.

    We went through a video which shows how the company works, plus he went through four options that were out there, but only one made sense because of the amount of debt and we did not want to file BK.

    My case will be handled by Attorney Arbitration(not sure what he meant) but believe because of the large debt amount the attorney will be the one to write letters.

    I am currently on time paying my cards, but can no longer afford to do this.

    I received a print out which listed the following – Payment Date, Total Payment, Enrollment Fee, Service Fee, and Savings.

    I will pay $1000 a month – $622 for Enrollment Fee – $250 for first two months for attorney****then $39 per month for admin. fee. The Savings column starts with me saving $128 and increases from there. I will pay $1000 for 54 months and at the end will have 45,000 in an account.

    This company charges 13% interest on Total Debt Owed, Plus the service fee.

    The consultant also explained how they go to the creditor and say how my client can afford to pay X amount of dollars will you accept this…

    I don’t understand how this company is only charging me 13% of total debt owed when they haven’t negotiated with the company yet. My understanding is this company pays the company using their money, but what if the amount is more than what I am being charged.

    I think, I am missing something and hope you can explain to me how this work. I don’t want to make a mistake when trying to get my finances in order.

    Please help.

    Thank you,

    Debbie

  2. 2

    Oh, I am sorry I posted my question to Jean in the wrong spot.

    Sorry

    Debbie

  3. 3

    You could post the Financial Counselor Notebook personal financial organizer http://www.FCN.com here. The free software can be downloaded from the web site to help with cash flow and building the balance sheet. It’s terrific!

  4. 4

    Jean, you shared a website that was endorsed by the us government, the only one so endorsed, that assited people in finding money that may be theirs that for some reason they have lost touch with, can you help me with that website address/name


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