Financial Planning

Planning and preparation are essential for a financially successful life. Financial success can be challenging to anyone, regardless of age, income, status or education level.

Use the links on the left to learn more about the core elements of financial planning.

Self-Paced learning Modules

Buying a car?

Merging—or unmerging—money with a loved one?

Heading to college?

Implementing a budget?

Check out OKMM’s new self-paced learning modules: Auto Loans 101, Love & Money, Money Management for College Students, Budgeting, Transition to Independence and Saving & Banking. Each module contains learning objectives, tools, a quiz and a completion certification.

 

Your Money Matters Activities for High School Students

In response to demand from teachers, we're offering classroom activities to complement OKMM's Your Money Matters guide for high school students, which highlights budgeting, saving, college planning, banking and consumer credit. Our free budgeting, credit, identity theft and saving activities are now available for download!

OKMM Budgeting Activity

Budgeting Scenario Cards






OKMM Credit Activity

 

 

 

OKMM Identity Theft Activity

 

OKMM Saving Activity

 

 

 

3 Habits that Keep you Broke

1. Forgoing an emergency fund. If you think major illnesses or natural disasters are the only circumstances that count as emergencies, you’re only half right. Flat tires or a busted water heater you can’t afford to replace count, too. Aim to save 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses so you don’t have to rely on money meant for necessities, credit cards or payday loans to make ends meet when the unexpected happens.
2. Paying late. Late payments mean late fees. Plus, if you’re more than 30 days late, your account can go into default - which potentially raises your interest rates and negatively affects your credit rating. If you mail payments, send them 10 business days before they’re due or for less stress, consider going paperless with online bill-pay.
3. ATM fees. If you use an ATM that isn’t owned by your bank, you may be charged a surcharge, and your bank may charge an additional fee for using a machine outside their network. On average, these fees can add up to $6. If you do this often, that’s a lot of wasted money.

What to Know When Choosing a Pro

If you’re planning to hire a professional to complete your tax return this year, the IRS encourages you to choose that professional with care. Even if someone else prepares your return, you as the taxpayer are ultimately responsible for the information provided to the IRS. Follow these helpful guidelines for choosing a reputable tax preparer.

• Make sure your preparer is associated with a professional organization that requires continuing education and holds its members to a code of ethics.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed or if action has been taken against your chosen preparer.
• Ask about service fees. Don’t use a preparer who bases the fee on the amount of your refund.
• Don’t work with someone who claims they’ll be able to get you more money than anyone else. If your return is prepared correctly, any professional should arrive at approximately the same amount.
• Use a preparer you can contact any time and who’s open to answering your questions.
• Work with a preparer who asks to see receipts and other proof of your claims; they’re looking out for your best interest.
• Don’t work with someone who asks you to sign a blank return. You should always review your return carefully before signing it.