Personal Finance Publications

Alliance has developed a number of publications to assist in dealing with common personal finance issues that are encountered frequently by consumers.

These are all available as PDF files below.

  • Clicking the title opens the PDF file in the window.
  • To download, right click and choose download file.

Printed copies of these documents are available to appropriate audiences without charge. Contact any counselor for small quantities, or our Outreach Department for quantities of more than five.

Credit & Debt

Knowdebt.org Building Good Credit 
The definition of credit, the aspects lenders consider before extending credit, 10 steps for building credit and rebuilding credit.		 Knowdebt.org Choosing A Credit Counselor
Defines debt repayment plans, explains the differences between secured and unsecured debt, and offers questions to ask credit counselors. 		 Knowdebt.org Credit Card Smarts 
Education about the different types of plastic money, potential benefits and pitfalls, key terms, and seven tips for using wisely.
Knowdebt.org Dangers Of Debt Settlement 
Critical information for anyone considering settlement: detailed explanation of the process and consequences.		 Knowdebt.org How To Check Your Credit Reports 
Critical information on how to obtain and understand your credit reports.		 Knowdebt.org How To Dispute Errors On Your Credit Reports
Clear directions for disputing errors on your credit reports.
Knowdebt.org Raising Your Credit Scores
Information on how your score is calculated and 21 tips for raising your scores.		 Knowdebt.org The Biting Price Of Payday Loans
The truth about the real cost of these quick loans as well as a list of better options.		 Knowdebt.org Your Rights In Fair Debt Collection 
Answers to commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. FTC text.
Knowdebt.org Credit And Your Consumer Rights 
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.		 Knowdebt.org Getting Credit: What You Need To Know About Your Credit 
Provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, and keeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports and credit scores, and improve your credit record.  		 Knowdebt.org Knee Deep In Debt 
If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Tips on getting back in the black.

Home Ownership

Knowdebt.org Home Equity Borrowing [ACC pdf]
Descriptions of the two basic forms of home equity borrowing, typical uses, potential benefits and dangers, alternatives, and pointers.		 Knowdebt.org Home Sweet Home [ACC pdf]
Considerations for buying or renting, 9 steps to homeownership, types of financing, and where to find live help.		 Knowdebt.org Keeping Your Home [ACC pdf]
Education about the foreclosure process, options you may have, things to watch out for, and how to find help.
Knowdebt.org Home Equity Loans: Borrower’s Beware [FTC pdf]
Explains common abusive lending practices and how to avoid becoming a victim, and possibly losing your home.		 Knowdebt.org Looking For The Best Mortgage? Shop, Compare, Negotiate [FTC pdf]
Use these three steps to save money on a mortgage or home loan. Includes a mortgage shopping worksheet.		 Knowdebt.org Reverse Mortgages [FTC pdf]
Explains how reverse mortgages (RMs) work and how they can help older homeowners who are “house-rich but cash-poor” remain in their homes and still meet their financial obligations.

Privacy & Fraud

Knowdebt.org Consumer Protection [ACC pdf]
Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.		 Knowdebt.org Identity Theft: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You [ACC pdf]
Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.		 Knowdebt.org Avoiding Credit And Charge Card Fraud [FTC pdf]
Tips for guarding against this type of fraud and for reporting losses.
Knowdebt.org Getting Purse-onal: What To Do If Your Wallet Or Purse Is Stolen [FTC pdf]
Steps to take if your wallet or purse is stolen.		 Knowdebt.org How Not To Get Hooked By A ‘Phishing’ Scam [FTC pdf]
Tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud.

Publications

We have developed numerous articles on a wide variety of topics that should be helpful in your efforts to improve your personal financial situation.

The following is a list of financial education publications. Electronic document titles are available for viewing or dowloading. A brief description follows each title. To open a title, click on it.

Printed copies of these documents are available to appropriate audiences without charge. Contact any counselor for very small quantities, or our Outreach Department for quantities of more than five.
Publication Topics: Spending | Credit & Debt | Home Ownership | Life Events | Privacy & Fraud | Saving

Spending
Knowdebt.org Checks Have Changed: Living With Check 21 [ACC pdf]
Check management tips in light of the recent law allowing your checks to be replaced with electronic copies.
Knowdebt.org Holiday $urvival Guide [ACC pdf]
Seven strategies for avoiding a holiday debt-hangover, many seasonal money-saving ideas and a simple Holiday Spending Planner.
Knowdebt.org Keys To A Smart Ride [ACC pdf]
Transportation options, steps to buying a vehicle, buy vs lease considerations, and ways to minimize post-purchase costs.
Knowdebt.org Making Cents Of The Holi-daze [ACC pdf]
Six steps for minimizing holiday stress, gift ideas that are inexpensive, activity ideas for making memories instead of debt, and a simple Holiday List Planner.
Knowdebt.org Managing Your Money [ACC pdf]
Basic tools for money management – checking, savings, electronic banking – and questions to ask when choosing providers.
Knowdebt.org More With Less [ACC pdf]
Five key strategies with dozens of suggestions for dealing with reduced income.
Knowdebt.org Reaching Your Financial Goals [ACC pdf]
Six steps for defining your financial goals and turning them into concrete plans.
Knowdebt.org Ready For Tax Time [ACC pdf]
Reasons to file, organizational tips, what’s new, filing methods, and finding help.
Knowdebt.org Taking Your Financial Pulse [ACC pdf]
Explanations of basic financial measurements, warning signs of debt trouble, and guidance for shaping up.
Knowdebt.org Tax Time Topics [ACC pdf]
Enlightening information on taxes, ways to minimize the burden, and where to get help.
Knowdebt.org The Spending Plan: Simple Steps To Financial Wellness [ACC pdf]
A complete budgeting packet: important facts, clear worksheets, and simple step-by-step directions for creating a successful spending plan.
Knowdebt.org 66 Ways To Save Money [FTC pdf]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.

Saving & Investing
Knowdebt.org Be A Saver [ACC pdf]
Motivation for saving, six steps to saving, and information on America Saves.

Credit & Debt
Knowdebt.org Building Good Credit [ACC pdf]
The definition of credit, the aspects lenders consider before extending credit, 10 steps for building credit and rebuilding credit.
Knowdebt.org Choosing A Credit Counselor [ACC pdf]
Defines debt repayment plans, explains the differences between secured and unsecured debt, and offers questions to ask credit counseling agencies if you consider using their services. FTC text.
Knowdebt.org Credit Card Smarts [ACC pdf]
Education about the different types of plastic money, potential benefits and pitfalls, key terms, and seven tips for using wisely.
Knowdebt.org Dangers Of Debt Settlement [ACC pdf]
Critical information for anyone considering settlement: detailed explanation of the process and consequences as well as other options to consider.
Knowdebt.org How To Check Your Credit Reports [ACC pdf]
Critical information on how to obtain and understand your credit reports.
Knowdebt.org How To Dispute Errors On Your Credit Reports [ACC pdf]
Clear directions for disputing errors on your credit reports.
Knowdebt.org Raising Your Credit Scores [ACC pdf]
Information on how your score is calculated and 21 tips for raising your scores.
Knowdebt.org The Biting Price Of Payday Loans [ACC pdf]
The truth about the real cost of these quick loans as well as a list of better options.
Knowdebt.org Your Rights In Fair Debt Collection [ACC pdf]
Answers to commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. FTC text.
Knowdebt.org Credit And Your Consumer Rights [FTC pdf]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.
Knowdebt.org Getting Credit: What You Need To Know About Your Credit [FTC pdf]
Provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, and keeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports and credit scores, how to protect your identity, improve your credit record, and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft. A good source of information for people learning about credit.
Knowdebt.org Knee Deep In Debt [FTC pdf]
If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Tips on getting back in the black.

Home Ownership

Knowdebt.org Home Equity Borrowing [ACC pdf]
Descriptions of the two basic forms of home equity borrowing, typical uses, potential benefits and dangers, alternatives, and pointers.
Knowdebt.org Home Sweet Home [ACC pdf]
Considerations for buying or renting, 9 steps to homeownership, types of financing, and where to find live help.
Knowdebt.org Keeping Your Home [ACC pdf]
Education about the foreclosure process, options you may have, things to watch out for, and how to find help.
Knowdebt.org Home Equity Loans: Borrower’s Beware [FTC pdf]
Explains common abusive lending practices and how to avoid becoming a victim, and possibly losing your home.
Knowdebt.org Looking For The Best Mortgage? Shop, Compare, Negotiate [FTC pdf]
Use these three steps to save money on a mortgage or home loan. Includes a mortgage shopping worksheet.
Knowdebt.org Reverse Mortgages [FTC pdf]
Explains how reverse mortgages (RMs) work and how they can help older homeowners who are “house-rich but cash-poor” remain in their homes and still meet their financial obligations.

Responding to Life Events
Knowdebt.org Help In Times Of Crisis [ACC pdf]
Guidelines for finding assistance during hardships with a resource list of social services (disaster, employment, food, clothing, shelter, health & medical, justice, charities).
Knowdebt.org Insurance: What’s Your Risk? [ACC pdf]
Explanations of life, disability, and health insurance, as well as tips for saving on insurance.
Knowdebt.org Credit And Divorce [FTC pdf]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more. Please click on a selected topic to the left for a list of documents that may be of interest to you.

Privacy & Fraud

Knowdebt.org Consumer Protection [ACC pdf]
Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.
Knowdebt.org Identity Theft: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You [ACC pdf]
Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.
Knowdebt.org Avoiding Credit And Charge Card Fraud [FTC pdf]
Tips for guarding against this type of fraud and for reporting losses.
Knowdebt.org Getting Purse-onal: What To Do If Your Wallet Or Purse Is Stolen [FTC pdf]
Steps to take if your wallet or purse is stolen.
Knowdebt.org How Not To Get Hooked By A ‘Phishing’ Scam [FTC pdf]
Tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud.
Publication Topics: Spending | Credit & Debt | Home Ownership | Life Events | Privacy & Fraud | Saving | Back to Top

Responding to Life Events

Knowdebt.org Help In Times Of Crisis [ACC pdf]
Guidelines for finding assistance during hardships with a resource list of social services (disaster, employment, food, clothing, shelter, health & medical, justice, charities).		 Knowdebt.org Insurance: What’s Your Risk? [ACC pdf]
Explanations of life, disability, and health insurance, as well as tips for saving on insurance.		 Knowdebt.org Credit And Divorce [FTC pdf]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more. Please click on a selected topic to the left for a list of documents that may be of interest to you.

Saving & Investing

Knowdebt.org Be A Saver [ACC pdf]
Motivation for saving, six steps to saving, and information on America Saves.

Spending

Knowdebt.org Checks Have Changed: Living With Check 21 [ACC pdf]
Check management tips in light of the recent law allowing your checks to be replaced with electronic copies.		 Knowdebt.org Holiday $urvival Guide [ACC pdf]
Seven strategies for avoiding a holiday debt-hangover, many seasonal money-saving ideas and a simple Holiday Spending Planner.		 Knowdebt.org Keys To A Smart Ride [ACC pdf]
Transportation options, steps to buying a vehicle, buy vs lease considerations, and ways to minimize post-purchase costs.
Knowdebt.org Making Cents Of The Holi-daze [ACC pdf]
Six steps for minimizing holiday stress, gift ideas that are inexpensive, activity ideas for making memories instead of debt, and a simple Holiday List Planner.		 Knowdebt.org Managing Your Money [ACC pdf]
Basic tools for money management – checking, savings, electronic banking – and questions to ask when choosing providers.		 Knowdebt.org More With Less [ACC pdf]
Five key strategies with dozens of suggestions for dealing with reduced income.
Knowdebt.org Reaching Your Financial Goals [ACC pdf]
Six steps for defining your financial goals and turning them into concrete plans.		 Knowdebt.org Ready For Tax Time [ACC pdf]
Reasons to file, organizational tips, what’s new, filing methods, and finding help.		 Knowdebt.org Taking Your Financial Pulse [ACC pdf]
Explanations of basic financial measurements, warning signs of debt trouble, and guidance for shaping up.
Knowdebt.org Tax Time Topics [ACC pdf]
Enlightening information on taxes, ways to minimize the burden, and where to get help.		 Knowdebt.org The Spending Plan: Simple Steps To Financial Wellness [ACC pdf]
A complete budgeting packet: important facts, clear worksheets, and simple step-by-step directions for creating a successful spending plan.		 Knowdebt.org 66 Ways To Save Money [FTC pdf]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.