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AbbyBank's Educational Resources
Helping you make good financial decisions for your home and business since 1968.
Familiarizing yourself with financial terms, process or practices is the first step to increasing your overall wealth. Whether you're serious about saving for a big investment or paying off debts, becoming money smart will undoubtedly help you get there faster.
Below are some free financial tools we've personally vetted and approved:
Free Financial Tools/Forms
Another way to ensure you are making the best decision is to do some research online that can assist you in learning what is right for your unique situation. There are many government websites that offer this information. Below are some examples that we recommend.
Government Financial Education Resources
Mortgage Education
HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.
Freddie Mac
Our commitment starts with funding mortgages that help you own or rent a home. It extends to your community where we're helping distressed homeowners and stabilizing neighborhoods. Also, it continues to be focused on returning value for the nation while strengthening the housing finance system for future generations.
Our commitment starts with funding mortgages that help you own or rent a home. It extends to your community where we're helping distressed homeowners and stabilizing neighborhoods. Also, it continues to be focused on returning value for the nation while strengthening the housing finance system for future generations.
Credit Report
Few people understand the impact a credit score can have in an individual’s life. A high score can mean a lower rate for a bank loan while a low credit score can result in more expensive insurance premiums or interest rate on your loans and credit cards. Not only is it important to understand your credit score, but it is also important to understand how to improve your credit score and reap the advantages of good credit.
Annualcreditreport.com offers a free annual consumer credit report, and information about what a credit score is, how it affects you, and what to do if you find discrepancies. Visit their website or call 877-322-8228 for more information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also offers information on how to Get Help with Identity Theft.
Basic Financial Education Opportunities
Get Smart Wausau Coalition
Get Smart Wausau Coalition is a combination of professionals from financial institutions, local business, government and non-profits in the area with the goal of matching local resources for those needing free or low-cost financial education. There are many free or low cost local classes on Basic Banking, Personal Finance Choices, Basic Life Skills Stretching Your Food Dollar, How to Prevent Eviction and much more.
Get Smart Wausau Coalition is a combination of professionals from financial institutions, local business, government and non-profits in the area with the goal of matching local resources for those needing free or low-cost financial education. There are many free or low cost local classes on Basic Banking, Personal Finance Choices, Basic Life Skills Stretching Your Food Dollar, How to Prevent Eviction and much more.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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 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.
Financial Lifestyle Newsletter
AbbyBank offers a quarterly email newsletter that updates local and generational trends, scams, financial educational opportunities and items that can help make banking easy for you. Sign up today!
AbbyBank offers a quarterly email newsletter that updates local and generational trends, scams, financial educational opportunities and items that can help make banking easy for you. Sign up today!
Phishing and Cybersecurity
Phishing
When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information, it’s called phishing. Don't reply to email, text, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.
When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information, it’s called phishing. Don't reply to email, text, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with - for example, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site, but it isn't. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.
Cybersecurity
Want to learn more about cybersecurity and your risks? The FDIC has information on their website that helps educate you on the popular cybercrimes.
Basic Educational Wellness Websites for All
The Mint
This website has many topics for kids, teens, parents, teachers and more. If you are needing help on improving your financial well-being, check this one out.
This website has many topics for kids, teens, parents, teachers and more. If you are needing help on improving your financial well-being, check this one out.
MyMoney.Gov
This is a great website for consumers to understand about many financial processes including earning, borrowing, saving, investing, spending and protecting your money.
Practical Money Skills
Fun for the whole family with games, videos, personal finance topics and materials for teachers.
