Financial Education News

OKMM now offers Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) modules designed to support students and educators in meeting all 14 state-mandated financial literacy standards. These targeted modules include a built-in quiz that enables students to demonstrate their understanding of the content while fulfilling their high school graduation requirement. Each edition of our newsletter will feature two PFL modules. This month’s focus highlights Earning an Income and State and Federal Taxes. View the March 2026 edition!

Welcome to the March edition of Oklahoma Money Matters’ Financial Friday!  You’ve worked hard all semester, and you want to enjoy your spring break with a getaway. What you don’t want is to return to campus with empty pockets and debt looming over you from treating yourself beyond your means. Here are five practical steps to enjoy some rest and relaxation without financial burden.1. Set a realistic total budget This is your spending guardrail. Think about how much money you can spend after covering essentials like rent, groceries and upcoming bills. Consider what’s coming up after break, too — textbooks, ...

High School students may now access the 14 required financial literacy standards through the OKMM website. Aligned with the state law, these standards outline the essential knowledge and skills students should develop to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives. Our learning modules make it easy and efficient to review and complete each standard.  View the January 2026 OKMM Outlook!

Building new money management skills and paying off debt is absolutely an attainable goal, with the right systems and habits. Here are some practical strategies you can start using right away, whether you’re tackling credit cards, student loans or just trying to feel more in control of your money. Get a clear look at your numbers. Before any budgeting strategy works, you need a clear understanding of your financial situation. Awareness reduces anxiety, and this step alone often lowers stress and reduces impulsive spending. Make a list of every debt you have, including the balance, interest rate, minimum payment, and ...

With the new year upon us, many of us start reflecting on our financial goals for the coming months. You're not alone if managing and reducing debt is on your resolutions list. Creating a realistic plan can give you peace of mind while you work toward your goal. Consider these tips to help you build a strategy for success: The emergence of social media has brought on a wave of self-proclaimed experts in debt management and wealth building. These gurus will present a masterclass and a few affirmations, and their consumers will feel like failures when their methods don’t work. This is ...

You’re not alone. Many parents are concerned about paying for college and often assume that they make too much money to qualify for financial aid programs. Here are some helpful tips. Fill out the FAFSA anyway. Your daughter should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 during her senior year of high school. It’s free to submit and serves as her first step in the financial aid process. The FAFSA determines your family’s eligibility for aid, like federal and state grants, some types of scholarships, work-study opportunities and federal student loans. Most applicants qualify for some type ...

First, take a deep breath. Your feelings are valid, and you are not alone. We all can encounter financial challenges from time to time, and stress can affect every part of our lives. According to data from the National College Health Assessment, 75% of U.S. students have experienced moderate to high financial distress in the past year. While there is no cure-all method to eliminate all financial hardships or the negative feelings that come with them, please consider these tips to reduce stress, and to help take control of your budget. Prioritize what’s within your control: If you’ve completed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), received ...

A new school year, for both parents and students, offers an opportunity to reflect on where you've been and to make plans for your future goals. By identifying that you don't know where to start and seeking help, you've already made progress in improving the situation. Consider these steps to get you closer to your financial goals this year. Evaluate where you are before you do any spending: I know it’s tempting to participate in all the back-to-school shopping sales, but are you really getting a bargain if you’re further in debt after the purchase? If an unexpected expense occurs during the school ...

With proper planning, summertime can mean fun in the sun, family adventures and relaxing getaways. However, the absence of a plan and savings, can mean boredom and no means to decompress. Saving money for future goals can seem daunting and difficult, especially when there are more expenses than income. Please know that you are not alone. A little patience and a lot of discipline can make your summer fun dreams come true. Here are some ways to help you set aside that little bit extra. Prioritize your spending. Only you can decide the non-negotiables in your life, but it’s a common ...

With proper planning, summertime can mean fun in the sun, family adventures and relaxing getaways. However, the absence of a plan and savings can mean boredom and no means to decompress. Saving money for future goals can seem daunting, and difficult, especially when there are more expenses than income. Please know that you are not alone. A little patience and a lot of discipline can make your summer fun dreams come true. Here are some ways to help you set aside that little bit extra. Save your change. Whatever you have left in your pockets at the end of the day, ...

With student loan repayments resuming May 5, 2025, many people are left wondering if completing their education will be a possibility. Students begin school with the best of intentions, but then life happens. Unfortunately, between events like getting married, having kids or focusing on a career, time has passed and earning your college degree gets lost in the shuffle. By the time you decide to go back to school, you may feel you’ve lost too much time or any advantage you might have had when you were younger. Luckily, it’s not too late; earning your degree is an achievable goal. Below are some college financing ...

Great question, thank you! The onset of April showers reminds us how important it is to have a “Rainy Day” fund. This economic climate has left many families feeling overwhelmed with expenses, with no wiggle room in their budgets. Now, more than ever, it is important to examine our finances with a magnifying glass and try our best to find ways to save for those unexpected events. There’s nothing worse than trying to process the emotional toll of a serious illness, natural disaster or the unexpected loss of a job while also facing financial uncertainty. Look at some ways you can create and supplement ...

March Madness is not only for basketball but can also be used to describe the influx of financial aid offers for college bound students. This is the time to explore your academic options from a monetary lens. You have the right question and have come to the right place. Your award offer will list all the types of financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Depending on your eligibility status, you’ll have the option to accept grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. You’ll need to compare your tuition and other school-related expenses to the financial aid you’re offered to determine how much of the funds you actually ...

The majority of Americans spend hundreds of hours planning a wedding—what colors to use, who to invite, what kind of cake to serve—but seldom plan for their marriage. So, kudos to you for thinking about your financial future as Mr. and Mrs.! As part of your prenuptial planning, consider the following tips to help ensure marital—and financial—bliss. Discuss your goals and values. The majority of financial plans are based on long-term goals, so it’s important to discuss your values and priorities. Work together to develop a family financial plan that reflects those objectives, and put it into practice before you say “I do.” Review each other’s credit ...

Assess the current situation: Start by gathering all your debt information. List each debt, including credit cards, personal loans, student loans, and other liabilities. Note the balance, interest rate and minimum monthly payment for each. This may seem scary initially, but you'll be glad you did this when you start to see progress. Create a budget: A well-structured spending plan is essential. Start by calculating your monthly income and tracking your expenses. Categorize your spending into fixed expenses (rent, utilities, groceries) and discretionary expenses (dining out, entertainment). Having it written out can help identify areas where you can cut back and reallocate ...

Open enrollment is the designated period each year when you can enroll in or change your health insurance plan. Typically occurring in the fall, this window allows you to adjust your coverage based on your changing needs. Consider these steps when considering your options. Review your current benefits: Start by evaluating your existing health insurance plan. Consider what worked well over the past year, and what didn't. Did you have adequate coverage for your medical needs? Were your out-of-office costs manageable? Assess your and your family's needs: Consider any changes affecting your health coverage needs. Have you or your family members developed ...

The festive season has come and gone, and you might be left with more than just memories — perhaps a lingering holiday debt hangover. If overspending has left you in financial distress, don't fear; there are steps you can take to fix the situation and ensure it doesn't happen again. Step 1: Face the Numbers. Start by understanding the extent of your debt. Take a close look at what you owe and the associated interest rates. Quick repayment is key to minimizing interest charges. Be cautious of debt consolidation offers, as they often come with fees and high interest rates. ...

If you're trying to pay off debt and improve your credit score, working with a credit repair service for assistance may be tempting. These companies specialize in enhancing your credit standing by challenging outdated or inaccurate information on your credit reports and, often negotiating with your creditors on your behalf. Credit repair services typically come at a cost, however, and it usually takes several months to see much progress. Reputable credit repair services scrutinize your credit reports for inaccurate information and initiate disputes on your behalf.  Credit repair services can address various errors, including: • Accounts that do not belong ...

As the holiday season approaches, many of us eagerly compile our gift lists and prepare to shop for our loved ones. However, the excitement of giving should be balanced with the responsibility of managing our finances effectively. Overspending this time of year is a common pitfall, but there are strategies to ensure that you stay within your budget and enjoy a financially stress-free holiday season. Here are some valuable tips to help you keep your spending in check. Make a list and check it twice: Start by listing all the individuals you intend to buy gifts for during the holidays. Next ...

When it comes to the matter of saving for retirement, the adage "there's no time like the present" holds true. It is never too early to begin contemplating how you will finance your post-retirement lifestyle. The key lies in starting early and harnessing the power of compound interest, which entails earning interest not only on your initial savings, but also on the interest those savings accrue over time. By doing so, you significantly enhance your prospects of attaining the financial security required during your golden years. If you are grappling with the challenge of allocating funds for a better future, ...