Save & Invest

CFPB recently talked with consumers and found that many of them aspire to manage their spending better. We heard that people would like to use budgets and plans, but these tools can be hard to use in guiding spending decisions in the moment. Over 90 percent of the consumers CFPB talked with were interested in tools that could tell them how much money would be left in their budget if they bought something. These consumers said that spending feedback tools could help them curb impulse spending, manage spending on special occasions, and reduce uncertainty about their financial situation.

CFPB conducted a field scan of financial education programs for immigrant populations. The report raises visibility about the financial education challenges that many immigrants face. This report also shares promising financial education strategies that financial education providers can use to better serve immigrants who seek their services and are part of their communities.

An essential part of the mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is to empower consumers to take more control over their financial lives. That’s why we’ve made financial education a critical component of our work.The Bureau’s strategy to improve financial literacy has two key aspects. Fundamental to this strategy is identifying financial education approaches that provide youth with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, habits, and capabilities that will serve them as adults. The report highlights some of these efforts.

This report describes the results of focus groups with consumers on common financial guidelines. The CPFB learned that many consumers are aware of and interested in financial guidelines or rules of thumb. However, many consumers also face difficulties in acting on these rules, and were interested in customizing rules for their own situations – what we call “financial rules to live by.” 

This resource guide is for youth employment programs that are interested in enhancing financial capability1 and building partnerships with financial institutions. It maps out how and why such partnerships can help young people2 achieve greater financial well-being and employment success.

This guide provides information to financial institutions on how they can enhance youth financial capability by partnering with youth employment programs. It maps out how and why financial institutions can engage with these programs and highlights best practices in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by local communities.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. MyPlate tips and materials can help you make healthy choices while staying within your budget. Resources include recipes, tutorials, sample menus, and tips on creating a grocery game plan, shopping smart to fill your cart, and preparing healthy meals.

The CFPB’s research addressed the childhood origins of adult financial capability and well-being. Building blocks to help youth achieve financial capability: A new model and recommendations, illuminates critical attributes, abilities, and opportunities acquired during the years spanning preschool through young adulthood that support the development of adult financial capability.

This brief was released by the Department of Labor Behavioral Interventions Project. The research shows ways to better encourage employees to focus on saving and investing for retirement.

The CFPB FinEx connects and supports financial education practitioners through an online and in-person information exchange. FinEx provides financial education practitioners with centralized access to the CFPB’s tools, research on consumer financial behavior and effective practices, and other financial education resources.