Financial Education News

June is here! The season of sunshine, road trips and well-earned getaways. But this year, let’s give vacation a smart twist. Instead of coming home to credit card bills and budget regret, imagine returning refreshed and financially confident. June is your chance to explore, unwind and make memories, without losing sight of your goals. With a little planning and a lot of intention, you can enjoy every moment of summer while keeping your wallet happy. Because the best trips aren’t just unforgettable, they’re affordable too. Set a Realistic Vacation Budget Start with a clear number. Review your monthly income, bills ...

High school graduation is an exciting milestone — and it’s also the start of real financial responsibility. As students transition to independence, a few foundational money habits can make a big difference. Each edition of our newsletter will feature two PFL modules. This month’s focus highlights Banking and Financial Services and Managing and Reconciling Your Financial Accounts. View the May 2026 edition!

High school graduation is an exciting milestone — and it’s also the start of real financial responsibility. As students transition to independence, a few foundational money habits can make a big difference. This edition of our newsletter highlights two of our personal financial literacy modules, Banking and Financial Services and Managing and Reconciling Your Financial Accounts, designed to support graduates as they navigate life after high school or college. Banking and Financial Services This financial literacy module introduces students to banks and other financial service providers that help people manage, protect, and grow their money. These institutions provide tools for everyday spending, saving, borrowing, ...

May is one of the most celebrated months of the year, filled with commencement ceremonies happening around the country. Students of all ages are awaiting their moment on stage to be acknowledged for the hard work and dedication it took to reach this milestone. Oklahoma Money Matters wants you to focus on celebrating your accomplishments, without added stress about financial planning as you move into your next chapter. To financially plan after graduation, focus on establishing a strong foundation by managing your net income, tackling debt and considering long-term investments. Create a Budget Based on Net Pay: Determine your actual ...

Financial literacy is an ongoing initiative of Oklahoma Money Matters, but the month of April is a time to specifically highlight and celebrate the benefits of understanding money and learning how to manage it well. This month, we return to the basics and provide the foundational tenets of financial literacy. Knowing these four principles will guide you regardless of where you are on your journey. Budgeting What it is: Creating a plan for how you earn, spend and save money. Why it matters: Helps you live within your means and avoid financial stress. Key points: Track income and expenses Prioritize ...

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, ...

Finding someone that you want to spend your life with is a wonderful feeling. However, the excitement that comes with planning your future can cause you to overlook key lifestyle differences, especially when it comes to how each of you approaches money. OKMM understands this challenge and is here to help. Explore these financial literacy conversation starters to help you connect with your partner. Financial Transparency - Share all financial information openly — income, debts, credit scores, spending habits, even financial anxieties.Why sharing financial information matters: Secrecy around money is one of the top predictors of relationship conflict.What this looks like: Review credit ...

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 ...

Welcome to the December edition of Financial Friday, Oklahoma Money Matters' online personal finance newsletter. The holidays should be a time of joy, not stress — but nothing sparks anxiety faster than mounting expenses from overspending. Discover practical tips to keep your season merry and bright while maintaining financial peace of mind. While the holiday season can bring joy and fellowship, it can also evoke feelings of doubt, worry and panic when it comes to finances. There is societal pressure to have it all together and to assess how much we care for one another through consumerism this time of ...

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 ...