Education changes everything. Your local library is a community problem-solver. Here are some links to help you make better decisions in your daily life.
Essential Financial Literacies
Financial Literacy in America:
Financial Stability is a government program that aims to stabilize the financial market.
Title V of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission with the purpose of enhancing the financial literacy and education of people in the United States. Here you’ll find information that will plan better in buying a home, balancing your checkbook, and investing in your 401K.
Money Smart Computer-Based Instruction(CBI) is designed to help individuals develop financial skills and positive banking relationships.
360 Degrees of Financial Literacyis an award-winning financial literacy site. People who visit this site will find invaluable information to help them make sound financial decisions.
The American Bankruptcy Institute is dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. Here you’ll find the latest legislative news regarding bills that address financial legislation.
Money Management Internationalhas been helping consumers find the tools and solutions they need to achieve financial freedom since 1958.
Financial Literacy in Wisconsin:
Money Smart Week Wisconsin Money Smart Week is designed to help everyone better manage their finances and provide awareness of financial education programs available on topics such as budgeting and using credit wisely.
Wisconsin’s Financial Literacy Resource Center. Geared towards parents, educators, and students, this website provides a portal for students who are seeking to learn more about money management, credit, investing, insurance, etc.
Wisconsin’s Office of Privacy Protection offers invaluable tips ranging from safeguarding your identity, filing an identity theft claim, to data breaches affecting Wisconsin citizens.
Wisconsin’s Department of Financial Institutions offers insights on credit transaction, credit card, credit report, consumer protection, financing/loan, and debt collection literacies.
Wisconsin Jump$tart is an invaluable resource for raising the need for financial literacy education. They offer a comprehensive clearinghouse of financial education resources.
Debt Relief:
The Debt Relief Center helps people in debt by providing them with referrals and connections to debt relief companies nationwide.
Teaching Financial Literacies:
Schwab MoneyWise will help kids, teens, and young adults financial independence and a solid understanding of the basics. They also offer a workshop that will help people spend wisely using credit and introduce them to saving and investing.
Budget Tools:
Mint.com has been named the best online personal finance tool by Money Magazine, PC Magazine, and is PC World Editor’s Choice. In under five minutes you’ll see where you are spending your money, understand how your investments how performing in the marketplace, and set up realistic budgets. Best of all, it’s free!
Use this Kiplinger worksheet to get on top of your monthly living costs by projecting expenditures in different categories, and then comparing those projections to what you actually spend in a month.
Financial Literacy Calculators:
Use these financial calculators from bankrate.com to skillfully enhance your monthly budget, compare borrowing costs, and plan for your future. One of the most comprehensive list of financial calculators available on the web.
Mortage Literacies:
Before you buy a home, it’s important that you read the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Nine Steps of Home Ownership.
The Federal Reserve Board offers information that will help you shop for the best deal in financing a home mortgage.
Making Home Affordableis a government plan to help stabilize the housing market and help 7 to 9 million Americans reduce their monthly mortgage payments to more affordable levels.
Job Searching/ Resume/ Interviewing
Resumes and Interviews:
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bayhas produced an excellent subject guide on crafting a resume; how to develop a resume, the common elements in a resume, resume format, and references.
The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University in Illinois has produced one of the most comprehensive resources for resume styles, resume content, resume advice, and numerous samples of resumes. If you writing a resume, this is a MUST!
The Job Center of Wisconsin has produced a basic guide for writing resumes.
The Riley Guideis a directory of employment and career information sources and services on the Internet. An essential tool for saavy job hunters, and a starting point for career resources. It includes a section on how to search for a job!
Once your resume has helped you land a job interview, the interview itself can dictate whether or not you land the job. Dynamic interview skills are essential. The Office of Career Services in Winter Park, Plorida has produced an extensive guide on preparing for an interview, the interview process, the art of interviewing, types of interviews, and interview questions.
Career Outlook in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin’s WORKnet (Bureau of Workforce Information) provides a unique tool to see the most job openings, high-growth job openings, wage comparison, and business tools for job openings in Wisconsin.
Find a Job in Wisconsin:
Job Center of Wisconsinis operated by the Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Job Center system, linking employers in all parts of the state, and anyone looking for a job. Wisconsin’s premiere job site.
Jobs in Madisonis an online resource to help you find a job in Madison.
The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs offers assistance with veterans looking for employment.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development vocational rehabilitation program provides employment services and counseling to people with disabilities.
Job Fairs in Wisconsin:
Once again, Job Center of Wisconsin has an extensive list of upcoming job fairs in Wisconsin.
Local/State Government
State of Wisconsin website
http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/index.html
List of cities/villages/town ordinances by name of municipality
http://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/ordinances.php
Who are my legislators?
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
Small Business:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Small Business Development Center provides assistance with the skills of starting, running, or growing a business.
The Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Network (WEN) is an excellent source for gathering expertise from around the state to grow new business and strengthen’ existing business’. WEN also offers a grant locator, and success stories!!
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions-Securities(Franchise). Great source for:
· History of a Franchise
· Duties, Obligations, & Promises
· Franchise Regulation in Wisconsin
Go It Alone!: The Secret to Building a Successful Business on Your Ownby Bruce Judson. An e-book (you can read the book online for free), Judson’s book offers life-altering ideas for creating a successful small business on your own.
Local Resources:
The Wisconsin Small Business Administration helps Wisconsinites start, build and grow businesses.
Understanding the Economy & the Workforce:
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy. It provides the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective manner.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is the state agency that is responsible for building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce in the 21st century and beyond.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association(WEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the economy of the State of Wisconsin.
Licensing and Regulation:
The state of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing ensures the safe and competent practice of licensed professionals.
Diversity in Business:
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Development Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is a statewide economic corporation that provides quality business education and financing to Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs and small business owners
Publications:
New ideas are essential to growing a business. Locally owned and operated, BizTimes is a Milwaukee area publication that helps keep decision-makers informed and in touch with the latest news, trend information and operational strategies.
Corporate Report is Wisconsin’s Business Magazine.
Home and Family Business
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Family Business Center (FBC) exists to serve the membership of business-owning families and their unique needs.