Free financial education from Stanford's Initiative for Financial Decision-Making
We won't tell you what to do with your money. We'll help you figure it out.
Type the question on your mind, or pick one below.
Start with what's on your mind
How do I start making a budget?
Enter your monthly numbers, see where your money goes, and find out if there is room to save.
How much should I have in an emergency fund?
Live a year of surprises with your own numbers and find the amount that fits your life.
What happens if I only pay the minimum on my credit card?
Guess how long it takes, see the real answer, then find a payment that works for you.
How much car can I afford?
Put in a price and watch two numbers: what you pay each month and what you pay in total.
Or find your situation
Pick a topic to narrow it down, or browse them all.
Starting my first job
Benefits forms, first paychecks, and decisions with deadlines.
Getting my money organized
See where your money goes and make a plan you can keep.
Moving out or moving cities
Rent, paperwork, and a cushion for what you can't predict.
Dealing with debt
Understand what your debt costs and find a way out that fits.
Building credit
What a credit score is, what moves it, and why it matters.
Buying a car
Monthly payment, total cost, and everything around them.
Starting to invest
Stocks, funds, fees, and getting started with small amounts.
Buying a home
Renting vs. buying, mortgages, and refinancing.
Comparing offers and big choices
Money now or later, raises, bonuses, and inflation.
Thinking about retirement
How much you need, whether you are on track, and risk as you age.