The Financial Literacy Project
FindLaw has partnered with the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section to create The Financial Literacy Project .
The Financial Literacy Project was created to help you understand personal finance, create a financial plan, and act on that plan. The Financial Literacy Project is intended to be a long-term, evolving public service project. Empowering ourselves changes our lives. Empowering others changes our communities.
The links below will take you to individual videos modules in the curriculum, as well as other helpful resources to support your journey to financial wellbeing.
Financial Literacy: The Road to Financial Well-being
This module introduces the Financial Literacy Project. Learn why financial literacy is important and how it can make a difference in your life.
Budgeting 101
A budget is a foundation of financial wellbeing. This module explains what a budget is, how to make a budget, and how to stick to a budget and handle emergencies.
- Segment 1: What Is a Budget? (Video)
- Segment 2: Types of Budgets (Video)
- Segment 3: Emergencies and Sticking to Your Budget (Video)
Tax Preparation and Planning
This module explains who should file a tax return and when, different types of taxes, important deadlines, and how to use free tax return preparation services to file your taxes.
Banking Matters
What is the difference between a bank and a credit union? How does credit work? How can I best protect my banking information online? This module explains banking basics, an essential part of financial literacy.
- Segment 1: Intro to Banking, Credit, Banks vs. Credit Unions, Products & Services (Video)
- Segment 2: Understanding Credit (Video)
- Segment 3: Banks vs. Credit Unions (Video)
- Segment 4: Let’s Get Digital, Transferring Funds, Budgeting, Investing (Video)
- Segment 5: Cybersecurity (Video)
Managing Debt
This module discusses key concepts in debt management. By the end of these videos, you should have a better understanding of managing debt, debt sources, credit and FICO scores, and your rights in debt collection, including for student loans.
- Segment 1 – Understand, Manage, Reduce Debt
- Segment 2 – Sources of Debt
- Segment 3 – Credit/FICO Scores
- Segment 4 – Debt Collection and Your Rights
- Segment 5 – Consolidating Debt
- Segment 6 – Bankruptcy – The Last Resort
- Segment 7 – Garnishments, liens, & Judgments
Paying Down Your Law School Debt
Buying a Car
- Budgeting and Valuation
- Financing
- Insurance
- Warranties
- Pros and Cons of Buying a New Car
- Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Car
About the Financial Literacy Project
Learn why the American Bar Association and Thomson Reuters created the Financial Literacy Project.
Additional Resources
You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help
Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.