With so many companies, terms, and trends to keep track of, the financial world can seem daunting. To stay on top of the market, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Thankfully, you don’t need a degree in finance to make sense of the money market these days. The internet is full of financial news sites with a wealth of information about the marketplace. Let’s take a look at 10 websites any financial enthusiast should bookmark.
Auto
- Car Buying Tips – Free information on buying new and used cars, leasing and avoiding auto scams.
- CarFax – See the history of the car you are considering (VIN required)
- Edmund’s Publications – Consumer information experts. Easily run comparisons on new and used vehicles.
- Fighting Chance – For $69.95, you receive complete pricing data on the vehicle you’re considering, plus its record in the market place, available cash incentives, negotiating tips, and access to a “live” purchasing coach.
- MotorTrend – Automotive research and comparisons.
- J.D. Power & Associates – Automotive marketing research.
- Kelley Blue Book – New and Used vehicle pricing reports.
- RoadLoans – Competitive rates on financing for new and used cars (refinancing, too).
Banking
- FDIC site – Check to see if your bank is FDIC insured or if it is in trouble.
Education
- Finaid – A comprehensive site that covers all aspects of financial aid.
- National Center for Education Statistics – Information on past three years of college/university costs.
- Salliemae – Calculators for estimating college costs, savings needs, and student loan payments as well as a great deal of financial aid and scholarship information.
- Savingforcollege.com – Quarterly 529 plan reviews and other tips on saving for college
- RetireGuide.com – A site dedicated to providing accurate, useful information to help young adults reach their retirement goals.
Income Tax
- IRS Website – The IRS Website, information on forms, publications, and frequently asked questions.
Investments – Discount Brokers
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. – Discount broker.
- TD Ameritrade View account balances, market news, and other services offered by the discount broker.
Investments – Financial News & Quotes
- Bloomberg – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
- Fox Financial – Financial news, money management.
- InvestorGuide – Comprehensive stock research tool. “Tools” tab provides links to other sites.
- Wall Street Journal – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes
- Yahoo – Keep track of your overall portfolio and get detailed charts on your individual stocks and bonds.
Investments – Investor Education
- Investorwords – This site is a database of more than 5,000 key investment terms, plus some 15,000 links related to words and concepts.
- Motley Fool – Online calculators and information to help answer basic questions.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – Online calculators, broker and/or advisor information, investor alerts, plus links to other government sites.
Investments – Mutual Funds
- IndexFunds.com – A resource on the use of index funds, or passive investing, versus conventional actively managed mutual funds.
- Morningstar – This company is well-known for its mutual fund star rating system, and this site has many useful research and analysis tools.
- Mutual Fund Education Alliance – A large source of mutual fund news and information, plus daily price info and one-, five- and ten-year annualized returns.
Investments – Publications
- Forbes – Online edition of Forbes magazine.
- Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine – Magazine plus calculators, investor education and more.
- Smart Money – Smart Money
Mortages/Real Estate
- Bankrate.com – Mortgage calculator and basic information
- Eloan – Compare loans, quotes, calculators
- HSH.com – Mortgage news, rate comparisions, and calculators
- Realtor sites – Customized searches by city, mortgage information and glossary.
PPP Loans
- NAHB – Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Loans
Retirement
- Medicare – You resource for Medicare information
- Social Security – Site to verify benefits and your earning history
Smart Spending
- Consumer Reports Magazine – Informational articles and product recalls are free on this site (subscription required for full online version).
- The Dollar Stretcher Tips – Free online newspaper full of tips, hints, stories and links for living better for less.
