Popular Money Topics

Suggested Reading

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    100 questions every first-time home buyer should ask : with answers from top brokers from around the country

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    1001 ways to pay for college : strategies to maximize college savings, financial aid, scholarships and grants

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    Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

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    Budgeting 101: From Getting Out of Debt and Tracking Expenses to Setting Financial Goals and Building Your Savings, Your Essential Guide to Budgeting

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    End financial stress now : immediate steps you can take to improve your financial outlook

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    Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties

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    Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing out Your Social Security Revised and Updated

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    How to Make Your Money Last: The Indispensable Retirement Guide

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    I Will Teach You to be Rich: No Guilt. No Excuses. No BS.

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  • Insurance for dummies

    Insurance for dummies

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    Investing for dummies

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  • Money : master the game : 7 simple steps to financial freedom

    Money : master the game : 7 simple steps to financial freedom

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    Pensionless: The 10-Step Solution for a Stress-Free Retirement

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  • Personal finance after 50 for dummies

    Personal finance after 50 for dummies

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  • Smart couples finish rich : 9 steps to creating a rich future for you and your partner

    Smart couples finish rich : 9 steps to creating a rich future for you and your partner

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    The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to be Complicated

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    The total money makeover : a proven plan for financial fitness

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  • Women & money

    Women & money

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  • Your credit score : how to improve the 3-digit number that shapes your financial future

    Your credit score : how to improve the 3-digit number that shapes your financial future

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  • Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence

    Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence

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  • Popular Money Topics
    • Calculators & Worksheets
    • Charitable Giving
    • Check my advisor, broker, agent, etc.
    • Consumer Financial Protection & Help
      • Helpful list of referrals compiled by the Los Angeles Police Department to local, state, and national agencies for consumer complaints.

      • California’s primary regulator of financial service providers and products. 

      • The department licenses professionals in a wide range of businesses; investigates consumer complaints and disciplines licensees when violations are found; and educates consumers by giving them information they need to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous or unqualified people who promote deceptive or unsafe services. 

      • Part of the federal USA.gov suite of websites bringing together information and referrals on how to be a safe consumer, what to do when a purchase or service goes wrong, and more. 

      • Noncommercial consumer resource guide with over 2,000 links to everything "consumer" started by a consumer lawyer and advocate in 1995. 

      • Advice and referrals from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as the Coronavirus impact may bring financial uncertainty for many people who could experience a loss of income due to illness or workplace closures.  Information for those having trouble paying bills or meeting other financial obligations, experiencing a loss of income, and those being targeted by a scammer.

      • Answers questions regarding national banks and federal savings associations as well as providing a consumer assistance group to help with complaints.  From the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

      • Government site offers introduction to investments, links to calculators and tools for researching investments and investment advisers, and fraud protection advice.

      • Ratings based on feedback from survey samples of consumers who have used or owned the product or service being rated.  Categories include a variety of financial services, real estate services, and insurance policies.

      • Los Angeles County agency serves consumers, businesses, and communities through education, advocacy, and complaint resolution.  Includes a Center for Financial Empowerment.

      • Federal government website to register your phone number to decrease the amount of telemarketing calls you receive and to report unwanted calls.  Also available by phone: 1-888-382-1222

      • Federal bureau that protects consumers of financial products and services from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices; takes action against companies that break the law; and supports people with the information, steps, and tools that they need to make smart financial decisions.

      • Federal agency with dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition in the marketplace.  Protects consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace; conducting investigations, suing companies and people that violate the law; educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities; and collecting complaints about hundreds of issues from data security and deceptive advertising to identity theft and Do Not Call violations. 

      • The mission of this independent federal agency of the U.S. government is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation through disclosure of information about public securities offerings, regulation, and enforcement.. 

    • Debt, Credit, Credit Reports, Credit Scores
      • Site authorized by federal law in cooperation with the three major credit reporting agencies to provide free credit reports. Federal law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company.

      • Information and referrals for protecting your money and being alert for financial scams: how to deal with banks, credit card issues, loans, debts, and other financial issues.  Also summarizes recent actions and alerts from the California Attorney General's office as well as links for reporting complaints against businesses.

      • Credit Card Comparison Websites

        The following are examples of websites offering information about credit cards and tools for finding and comparing credit cards.  Some offer additional services, such as access to credit scores, identity theft protection, and information about other kinds of loan products.

      • Information and advice from the Federal Trade Commission about credit cards, credit reports, credit scores, disputing charges, payday loans, car loans, co-signing loans, avoiding credit and loan frauds, etc.

      • Information, resources and help for compulsive debtors following a Twelve Step Program.  It is not affiliated with any financial, legal, political, or religious entities.

      • One of the three major credit reporting agencies: offers credit report, credit scores, and other services

      • One of the three major credit reporting agencies: offers credit report, credit scores, and other services.

      • Member-supported national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services. 

      • Consumer reporting companies collect information and provide reports to other companies about you. These companies use these reports to inform decisions about providing you with credit, employment, residential rental housing, insurance, and in other decision making situations.  This includes the three well-known national credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, but includes many others.. 

      • Fee and subscription service from Fair Isaac Corporation  (FICO), the source of the FICO credit scores.  Free educational content and online question and answer forum.

      • Nonprofit financial counseling organization with programs and services accessed through a national network of nonprofit member agencies. Each agency is staffed by NFCC Certified Financial Counselors who help clients get started with a financial review and establish a budget and a personalized financial action plan.  Includes services for those with repayment issues for credit cards, student loans, and homes loans.

      • Official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.  Also available by phone: 1-888-567-8688

      • One of the three major credit reporting agencies: offers credit report, credit scores, and other services.

      • One of the two major credit score models and providers.  Provides information for finding and understanding your score.

    • Education: Financial Aid, Savings Accounts, Student Loans
      • Webpage promotes affordability of the California Community Colleges and the financial aid options they offer.

      • Website serves as a clearinghouse for information about the state-administered Section 529 college savings programs.  Affiliated with National Association of State Treasurers. 

      • Office of the U.S. Department of Education providing information about eligibility and applying for student aid and for repaying student loans.

      • Free website established in 1994 is a comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools. 

      • Nonprofit organization helping students, families, and schools navigate the higher education and student loan processes with career, college, and financial aid counseling and resources. 

      • For people who already have student loans and want to know more about their options and rights: a resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers.

      • Provides help to make informed decisions about how to pay for college, including tools and advice for comparing college costs and financial aid offers and options for repaying student loans.

      • Provides information and tools to understand the benefits of 529 college savings plans and how to prepare to meet the challenge of college costs.

      • Helps veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. 

    • Financial Assistance
      • Gateway to federal and state government benefit programs in many categories, including financial assistance, family and children services, housing and public utilities, loans, social security and retirement, education and training, and many others.

      • California's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  Provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.

      • Advice and referrals from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as the Coronavirus impact may bring financial uncertainty for many people who could experience a loss of income due to illness or workplace closures.  Information for those having trouble paying bills or meeting other financial obligations, experiencing a loss of income, and those being targeted by a scammer.

      • Look up your address to see if it is in a federally declared disaster area. Search for and learn about different types of assistance you may qualify for. Find information that can help you learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of a disaster.

      • A search engine covering the United States to help find free or reduced cost services for medical care, food, job training, housing, financial assistance, legal aid, etc. 

      • Federal USA.gov portal provides listings of government programs that provide financial help for individuals and organizations.

      • Gateway to government loan information, informing citizens of loans they may be eligible for, and providing information on loan terms and how to apply.

      • Listing compiled by the Los Angeles Public Library.

      • Provides and coordinates a wide range of benefits and services, including cash assistance, food and nutrition, health care, job programs, and community services.  DPSS offers a YourBenefitsNow! website for Los Angeles County Residents to apply for and to view their CalWORKs, CalFresh, General Relief and MediCal benefits online.

      • Helps find sources of low cost and free help, such as health care, food banks, employment services, primarily in Los Angeles County, San Francisco Bay Area, and parts of Florida.  

      • Site offers links to PDF version of booklet in English and Spanish. Provides practical information about how to get food, money and other help from government programs and community services in Los Angeles County. Produced by Hunger Action Los Angeles (HALA), a nonprofit organization.

      • Social Security Administration website provides information on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria, contribution requirements, and income limitations to qualify for benefits.

      • From the California Employment Development Department

    • Identity Theft
      • Offers tips and steps to follow, consumer alerts, and links to a registry for victims of criminal identity theft.

      • Website from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides steps to help you report and recover from identity theft, including streamlined checklists and sample letters.

      • IDTheftInfo.org was created by Consumer Federation of America to help you learn how to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, detect identity theft quickly if it does happen, and deal with the consequences. If you have a business, there is information for you about how to keep employee and customer information secure.

      • Information and links compiled by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs, covering identity theft basics, fraud alerts, identity theft toolkit, filing an identity theft police report, getting credit reports, setting security freezes on credit cards, how to respond to data breaches, and other resources.

      • Federal government website to register your phone number to decrease the amount of telemarketing calls you receive and to report unwanted calls.  Also available by phone: 1-888-382-1222

      • Official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.  Also available by phone: 1-888-567-8688

      • Nonprofit organization offering consumer information and consumer advocacy for personal privacy rights and protection, including identity theft, data breaches, people & search data brokers, credit reports, online and telephone privacy, etc.

    • Insurance
      • Prominent provider of insurance industry and company ratings, financial data and news.  Free content available for registered users.

      • Offers premium comparisons and profiles for insurance companies that can operate in the state, license verification for insurance agencies and agents, guides for seniors, links to laws and regulations, and options for filing complaints.

      • Compiles product evaluations from multiple sources, including coverage of home and car insurance.

      • Health insurance exchange.

      • Los Angeles Public Library webpage focusing on health topics, offering links to sources of health information, including those for insurance.

      • Offers extensive information about health benefit plans, including legal rights and frequently asked questions.

      • U.S. Department of Labor provides an overview with links to more information about health plans provided by employers or employee organizations as an employee welfare benefit plan that provides medical care for participants or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.

      • Federal website for health insurance enrollment and information.

      • Insurance industry supported organization that focuses on providing information, insight, analysis and referral on insurance for consumers, insurance professionals, the media, government and regulatory organizations, educational institutions and students.  The Institute does not lobby for insurance businesses.

      • Offers free comparison of premiums from multiple companies plus informational content.

      • Provides information on life, health, auto, and home insurance, including a library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools: company comparisons, ratings, rates, life insurance, car safety and others.

      • Ratings based on feedback from survey samples of consumers who have used or owned the insurance policies being rated.

      • Nonprofit providing information about life, disability, and long term care insurance.

      • Guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about planning for long term care, what is covered by Medicare and other plans, and selecting the long term care coverage needed.

      • Insurance information for consumers covering individual insurance topics as well as industry licensing and regulation.

      • Official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.  Also available by phone: 1-888-567-8688

      • Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and Trusted Choice provide insurance quotes from major low-cost insurance companies.

      • Free account signup provides access to Weiss insurance company safety ratings, including an insurance company screener and lists of strongest and weakest insurance companies.

    • Investing & Savings: Cash, Stocks, Bonds, Funds
      • A bank account comparison site.

      • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) site offers extensive explanations and information, tools, data and other resources for investors.

      • Modules to assist with creation of accurate, unbiased investor education materials. The Foundation permits free use of the copyrighted modules for non-commercial educational purposes only.

      • Basic education information primarily about mutual funds supplemented by information from participating mutual fund companies and Morningstar.

      • Offers definitions, tutorials, courses, review and ratings, news on investing and personal finance.

      • Government site offers introduction to investments, links to calculators and tools for researching investments and investment advisers, and fraud protection advice.

      • Site offering links to articles, news, and recommended web sites on investing topics. Site is from the Alliance for Investor Education, with members such as American Association of Individual Investors, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., CFA Institute, Employee Benefit Research Institute's ® Education and Research Fund, and other leading financial organizations and agencies.

      • Quirky but informative site offering helpful explanations of basics of investing, finance, stocks, financial statements, economics. Also includes a glossary, a list of suggested books, a selection of calculators.

      • A significant portal for many types of investing, but best known for coverage, analysis, and education about mutual funds. Some limited services available for free, but full services require payment or using the library's Morningstar Investment Research Center subscription database in the Central Library.

      • Popular and irreverent investment site offers "13 Steps to Investing Foolishly", how to select a broker, and personal finance topics such as saving & spending, credit & debt, home & real estate. Viewing all of content may require free registration.

      • Database offered by the library and accessible outside the library to those with a currently valid Los Angeles Public Library card, includes Companies section (offering stock and company profiles and data, market reports, and S&P indexes) and Industries section (offering industry surveys and reviews, economics trends and outlook, economic calendar of forthcoming announcements).

      • Provides referral list to sites from a number of professional, regulatory, and government sites offering educational content for investors.

      • Value Line Library grants access to a vault of investment research, approximately 3,400 stocks, data, expert analysis, and unbiased commentary with a time-tested and performance-proven Ranking System.  Database offered by the library and accessible outside the library to those with a currently valid Los Angeles Public Library card or e-card.

    • Real Estate: Buying, Investing, Owning, Selling
      • Tips and steps for preparing to shop for a home, exploring loan choices, comparing loan offers, preparing for the closing, and avoiding scams.

      • Responsible for real estate licensing and regulating in the State of California, provides information for consumers, real estate licensees, landlords, and developers.  Offers help for consumers to verify real estate licenses, file complaints, and to be informed by consumer alerts and guides on laws & regulations, loans, mortgages, escrow, foreclosures, etc.

      • This webpage on the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) website links to a number of federal government departments, agencies, and government sponsored entities that offer listings of homes and multifamily properties for sale.

      • From the federal USA.gov portal, provides links to information about buying a home, finding affordable rental housing, mortgages, property and renters insurance, foreclosure process, filing complaints, home repairs and improvements, moving, etc.

      • Integrates the operations of the formerly separate Los Angeles Housing Department and the Community Development Department.  Facilitate the financing of housing development projects with business and community partners.  Oversee social services and housing programs that assist low-income, homeless, and special needs populations, and communities in general. Inspect rental properties for code enforcement and enforce the rent stabilization ordinance.

      • Formerly known as the Community Development Commission/Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles, the agency was rebranded as the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) on May 16, 2019. It serves residents, businesses and communities in three core service areas: housing, community, and economic development. 

      • Assists Los Angeles County residents in locating housing resources for affordable, special needs (including seniors and veterans), and emergency housing.

      • Responsible for locating all taxable property in the County and establishing its value.  Provides information about the assessment process. Assessor portal provides the ability to search for details, maps, and assessed values of properties.  Also accessible through the Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal.

      • Responsible for monies and properties for the County.  This includes collecting property taxes and auctioning tax-defaulted properties.  Also accessible through the Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal.

      • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (federal government) offers help with choosing, managing, and keeping up with a mortgage, providing checklists, rules, and how to find help or file complaints. 

      • Association provides data and educational content about Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).  REITs are companies that own and often operate apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, etc..  They offer investors a way to invest in real estate to earn dividends and gains without owning the property directly.

      • Articles on buying, selling, owning a home; neighbor relations, and investing in real estate from Nolo, the publisher of self-help legal guides.

      • Real Estate Listing Websites (Residential)

        The following are examples of some of the major real estate listing websites to help users find, buy, sell, rent homes and other residential real estate, providing information on property prices and values, neighborhoods, property descriptions, photographs, and maps.

      • Federal cabinet-level department with responsibilities including affordable housing and homelessness programs, senior housing, Section 8, enforcement of fair housing and mortgage lending laws, maintaining data on housing needs and market conditions.  Website offers help connecting with a range of programs and services, including home listings, voucher programs, housing counselors, filing complaints when rights have been violated.

      • Los Angeles Public Library portal for Veterans Resources includes listing of links for veterans seeking temporary housing, aid with paying utility bills, and home ownership assistance.

    • Retirement
      • Starting in July 2019, California law requires employers to either offer their own retirement plan or register to facilitate CalSavers for their employees to give them the opportunity to contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that belongs to the employee even when they change jobs.

      • The official U.S. Government site for Medicare information, including costs, coverage, claims, forms and a link to your own personal account at MyMedicare.gov

      • Information tips and consumer advice for taking income from Social Security and pensions, creating a safety net with home equity loans and reverse mortgages, seeking help with managing money as you age, and managing debt so it does not jeopardize your financial security in later years.

      • Information from the U.S. Department of Labor providing an overview of different types of retirement plans offered by employers or employee organizations, such as the 401(k) plan and the traditional defined benefit pension plan.  Includes links to consumer information on retirement plans to help participants and their beneficiaries.

      • Information for employees, small businesses and employers about saving for retirement, providing explanations of the options available and tools to get started.

      • Official U.S. government website for Social Security, including information on benefits and rules for retirement, disability, supplemental security income, Medicare.  Includes link to your own personal account at My Social Security.

      • IRS resources for individuals about retirement planning, types of retirement plans, retirement contributions, retirement withdrawals, taxes.  IRS resources for those offering or administering retirement plans about choosing and maintaining a retirement plan plus filing and reporting requirements.

      • From the official U.S. government portal USA.gov, provides basics and links to further information on retirement planning and pension benefits, such as how Social Security works, retiring from the civil service, and managing a private pension.

    • Taxes

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