Financial Literacy Resources

FINANCIAL WELL-BEING INITIATIVE

Financial literacy is more than understanding money - it’s the foundation of financial well-being. When individuals have the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, they are better equipped to manage challenges, plan for the future and build long-term stability. Access to financial education is essential for empowering individuals, strengthening families, and supporting thriving communities. ICUF promotes financial literacy as a lifelong skill—one that helps people navigate credit, budgeting, saving and borrowing with confidence.

While Financial Literacy Month is celebrated each April, ICUF’s commitment to financial education continues year-round. This page serves as a hub for financial literacy tools, resources, and programs designed to help Iowans at every stage of life improve their financial health.

Financial Literacy is Important to Everyone

Americans estimated that their financial illiteracy cost them on average $1,015 in 2024, with 15% of respondents reporting losses exceeding $2,500 due to a lack of financial knowledge
The average federal student loan debt is $39,075 per borrower.
Financial literacy among women lags that of men, with almost a 10-point gender gap, according to the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center.
83% of U.S. adults support requiring a semester- or year-long personal finance course for high school graduation, underscoring the widespread belief in the importance of financial education.

Online Financial Literacy Resources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Plan for Future Goals – House, College, Car, Retirement
MyCreditUnion.gov: Credit Union Information, Savings, Share Insurance, Money Transfers, Consumer Financial Protections, Credit
Iowa Department of Education: Financial Literacy Instruction and Resources
State Treasurer of Iowa: Financial Education and Empowerment Resources, Kids’ Games

Youth Engagement Tools

Hit the Road – A Financial Adventure: Hit the Road takes users on an interactive virtual road trip across the country, but the journey is not easy. They must save and spend money wisely to complete challenges along the way.
Money as You Grow: Parents and caregivers can use these tips, conversation starters and activities to educate children on best financial practices.
Meet the Money Monsters! The Money Monsters are a group of creatures who are new to our universe who need to learn about important things like school, friendship and financial literacy. Use this free publication and reading guides to help children understand money skills, habits and attitudes in adulthood.
What’s in Your Piggy Bank? Motivating Young First-Time Workers to Save: This recorded webinar highlights the First-Time Workers program, a pilot project from Young America Saves, which promotes saving at work for young adults, ages 16-24, as one effort to increase overall workplace saving.
Books to Read During Financial Literacy Month

Recommended Reads

All the Money in the World by Laura Vanderkam. This book explores better ways to use what we have to build the lives we want - offering an approach that involves examining beliefs, goals and values.
Empire of Things by Frank Trentmann. Recounts the history of consumerism over the past 600 years, including the development of consumer activism, consumer protection, and consumer rights.
The Behavior Gap by Carl Richards. Explains bad decision making based on emotions and shows readers how best to think about investment decisions.
The Build a Bigger Life Manifesto by Adam Carroll. Authored by a previous ICUF board member and strong supporter of ICUF's work, this book's philosophy centers around "Maybe you should build a bigger life, not a bigger lifestyle."
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Explore where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble.
Winning the Money Game: A Rule Book to Achieving Financial Success for Young People by Adam Carroll and Chad Carden. Looking for a guide to be debt free and gain financial freedom? Start with this book.