Financial Literacy

Please find the following resources on protecting yourself and your loved ones financially.

The Consumer Financial Protection Board has information ranging from what to do in a financial emergency to planning for financial goals: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/

The Attorney General of New York State has detailed information and warnings on current consumer scams: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/

Additional resources from the Federal and State level, along with financial resources from other state Extensions can be found here.

Financial Literacy Education

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Essex County strives to help individuals and families improve basic financial management skills to create improved financial futures and better access to community resources and programs.

Additional Resources:

Family Economics and Resource Management (FERM) is a statewide effort by Cornell Cooperative Extension to help individuals and families to adopt management behaviors which lead to more secure financial situations and affordable use of resources through education and practice. Their newsletter The Balance Sheet provides current information on a variety of financial literacy topics.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans - whether they are applying for a mortgage , choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products. The CFPB offers consumers information and guidance, and a place where they can file formal complaints against financial service providers and products.

The Attorney General of New York State offers a wide variety of information on consumer issues such as home buying, credit and debt management strategies, and student lending.

My Benefits offers a pre-screening tool to help New York State citizens determine if they may be eligible for certain benefits, such as food stamps.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection takes consumer complaints 24 hours a day and offers information on scams, ID theft, product recalls, and more.

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission's comprehensive website is designed to teach all Americans the basics of financial education. Popular topics include planning for retirement, dealing with mortgages, and managing credit and debt.

The Federal Reserve Board's Consumer Information Page explains credit reports and scores and offers a credit card payoff calculator and other financial tools.

20 Money Lessons for Children as They Grow is a site from the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. This site offers a poster and suggested activities for each age group identified.

Special thanks to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County who originally compiled this information

Last updated February 24, 2025