How much would you need to weather the unexpected (death of a spouse, loss of job)?

Newsworthy	September 2008

Innovative Educator: Tina Weaver, Madison County High School, Madison, VA
Under the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fertile soil of the Virginia Piedmont, Tina Weaver cultivates all–American agriculture and dreams. Farmer, businesswoman and teacher, Weaver instructs a new generation of entrepreneurs on the principles of business. Weaver believes in the potential of her students and encourages them to craft detailed business plans to sow their ideas in to growing businesses. Today, many of them are already realizing the fruits and profits of their labor. Read more...

Financial Literacy Education: New Guide for
the 50+ Crowd.
In partnership with AARP and Chase, Visa Inc. has co-written a special financial guide for consumers over 50 called "50 Ways to Love your Money." This free guide is designed to help seniors take more control of their personal finances while making their money work for them and features an introduction by Jean Chatzky. The guide was released at AARP’s Life@50+ National Event and Expo.

Plan for the Unexpected – A Financial Guide for Getting Through
In the blink of an eye… I never saw it coming. These are the refrains we say when unexpected, and sometimes, tragic life events occur. Things like death, illness, job loss and even natural disaster can cause tough personal and financial obstacles. Here Jean Chatzky reveals how you can take precautions to protect you and your family when things can go wrong "in a second." Read More

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

September 05, 2008
Understanding debit cards
Fifteen years ago, only a few million Americans carried debit cards. Today, more than 80 percent of us use them to withdraw cash, pay bills and make purchases at stores, restaurants and other merchants worldwide.

August 29, 2008
Protect your personal finances during divorce
Divorce is often referred to as the No. 2 most stressful life event, second only to death of a spouse. And no wonder: Besides its obvious emotional impacts, getting divorced can also be a financial nightmare as you're forced to deal with nagging details like separating your finances, acquiring your own health insurance and deciding who will claim the kids as tax deductions.

August 22, 2008
Borrowing from retirement accounts a costly mistake
The current housing crisis and other economic woes are taking their toll on people's wallets. Caught between escalating mortgage payments and rising fuel and food costs, many folks are having difficulty paying their bills. Not so long ago, some people probably would've just taken out a home equity loan, but with property values plummeting, their equity may already be exhausted – not to mention, those loans are now harder to get. Which leads me to cite a disturbing behavior that's on the rise: Tapping long–term retirement savings accounts to pay short–term bills.