What’s the hardest part of New Year’s resolutions?

Newsworthy	January 2009

New Year's Resolutions
As the countdown to the new year begins we often find ourselves making the same resolutions year after year, without the results we hope for. How can you make sure this is the last year of resolution repeats? Read more…

Innovative Educator: Linda Lannie, Rhode Island Transition Academy, Bristol, RI
Laura Lannie has spent her career in Rhode Island public schools. Now she's helping to the bridge the gap between high school and the workplace by giving kids practical applications for math and money skills. Read more…

Financially Fit at 50
50 Ways to Love Your Money is a clear and simple guide from AARP Financial, Chase and Visa designed to help consumers over 50 years old live happily within their means, manage budgets and use financial services wisely.

Financial Literacy Education: Early intervention is everything
Jean Chatzky on Financial Education
There's a very simple reason so many millions of Americans find themselves overwhelmed by personal debt. They don't know any better. They've just never received training that could help them manage their finances.

Money management skills aren't something you're born with. They're something you're taught and learn how to do. Yet millions of young adults graduate from high school and college without basic skills - things like balancing a checkbook or critically comparing credit card offers. Read More

Watch online. Anytime. Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 On-Demand Video
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Visa Inc. thank all who watched the Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 webcast on April 21st. This year's event was a unique gathering of some of our nation’s leading thinkers and practitioners in the field of financial literacy education. We heard extraordinary insights, powerful inspiration, and new and surprising connection. Watch now.

Free FICO® Score Estimator
Keep on top of the scores - not of the big games, but of your own credit risk. Use Visa's free score estimator from FICO®, the most trusted name in credit scoring, to answer 10 easy questions. Based on your answers, you'll get a free estimated range of your three scores from the main credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Your FICO scores affect the amount and terms of loans lenders offer you. Stay ahead of the financial game and get your score today.

Jason Alderman’s Practical Money Matters

January 9, 2009
Tight credit environment calls for careful oversight
As anyone who's applied for a new loan lately knows, if you don't have a gold-plated credit history, you may have a tough time borrowing. And even many 24-karat consumers are being turned down. Lenders have responded to their own difficulty accessing credit – as well as increasing customer defaults – by tightening lending standards.

January 2, 2009
A financial Super Bowl
As it does every year, Super Bowl mania is sweeping the nation. In a recent survey of Visa Inc. cardholders, more than 60 percent said they would be inviting family and friends over to watch the game, spending an average of about $170 on refreshments. How do your plans and budget stack up?

December 26, 2008
Know your tax exemption, deduction options
About the only upside when the cost of living increases is that every year the IRS readjusts personal tax exemptions, standard deduction amounts and retirement account contribution limits. It's not like winning the lottery, but I'll take all the good news I can get.