Links & Resources
Use our hand picked list of resources to improve your life and finances!
Top Links
Geraci Law Bankruptcy News
We write about bankruptcy news and events relevant to your life.Source: PeterFrancisGeraciLaw.com
Free Credit Reports
Get a copy of your annual credit report from all three bureaus.Source: AnnualCreditReport.com
Get IRS Transcripts Online
Get copies of your IRS transcripts online, directly from the IRS.Source: IRS.gov
Budgeting
25 Simple Ways to Get Your Finances In Order Right Now
Tips and tricks for saving money and fixing financial problemsSource: frugalrules.com
50/30/20
Budgeting tips and advice based on monthly income.Source: Senator Elizabeth Warren
America Saves
A campaign coordinated by the non-profit Consumer Federation of America to help individuals save money, reduce debt, and build wealthSource: americasaves.org
Budget Tracking
Free online budgeting tool to track your spending and debt.Source: Mint
Dinky Town Financial Calculators
Financial calculators to calculate tax debt, retirement and investements, savings, debt-to-income ratio, home budget, etc.Source: dinkytown.net
Family Budget Calculator
This calculator measures how much income a family needs to earn to maintain standard of living.Source: Economic Policy Institute
Help With Bills
Government programs to help pay phone bills, medical bills, and other expensesSource: usa.gov
Reddit Community Forum
Community forum on budgeting and financesSource: reddit.com
Tools & Resources
Financial planning tools including budgeting, retirement, taxes, etc.Source: daveramsey.com
Credit Services
Consumer Resources
Resources for consumers and portal to make consumer complaintsSource: State of Wisconsin
Credit Karma
Free credit score and free credit reports with monitoringSource: creditkarma.com
Dispute Credit Report Error (Equifax)
Dispute a credit reporting error.Source: Equifax
Dispute Credit Report Error (Experion)
Dispute a credit reporting error.Source: Experion
Dispute Credit Report Error (Transunion)
Dispute a credit reporting error.Source: Transunion
Free Credit Report
Get a copy of your annual credit report from all three bureaus.Source: AnnualCreditReport.com
How Much Will Your Loan Really Cost?
Calculates total payments based on user-inputted variables of loan term, interest rate and amount financedSource: practicalmoneyskills.com
Illinois Second Chance Checking Accounts
List of banks that do not use ChexSystems in IllinoisSource: rebuildcreditscores.com
Second Chance Bank Account 1
Bank that offers a second chance for people with low credit scores.Source: Wells Fargo Bank
Second Chance Bank Account 2
Bank that offers a second chance for people with low credit scores.Source: BBVA Compass
Second Chance Bank Account 3
Bank that offers a second chance for people with low credit scores.Source: First National Bank and Trust Company
Wells Fargo
Information on how your credit score is calculated and how you can improve itSource: wellsfargo.com
Education
FedLoan Servicing
Repayment options for federal student loansSource: myfedloan.org
Getting Out of Default
Options to deal with student loan defaultsSource: ed.gov
Grants & Scholarships
You can apply for grants and assistance to help you pay for college.Source: US Dept of Education
Information About Debt Relief for Corinthian Colleges Students
Information for students who borrowed student loans to attend Corinthian/Everest CollegeSource: ed.gov
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Information on qualifications for loan forgiveness for non-profit workersSource: ed.gov
Repayment Estimator
Use this calculator to determine your repayment options of Federal Student LoansSource: Federal Student Aid
Free Courses Online
Free classes available online to further or start careers.Source: Udacity
Employment
Glass Door Job Search
Employer information and reviewsSource: glassdoor.com
How to Succeed at a Job Interview
A free 3-week course teaching how to interview for the job you want.Source: Future Learn
Illinois Department of Employment Security Jobs Page
Calendar with Job Fair Events, Resume Workshops, etc.Source: State of Illinois
Indeed: Job Search
Job postingsSource: indeed.com
Monster Jobs
Job postingsSource: monster.com
Resources for Job Seekers
A list of resources available to Chicago residents on the job hunt.Source: City of Chicago
US Job Fair
A list of job fairs by city and state.Source: Job Fairs
Financial News
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Assistance and information about fraud and scamsSource: consumerfinance.gov
IRS Tax
Tax Scams and Consumer AlertsSource: IRS.gov
LifeHacker: Two Cents
Misc. articles about financial planningSource: lifehacker.com
Free Family Services
3 For Free
Fun, free things to do in Lake County, ILSource: littlelakecounty.com
A Parents Guide to Community Resources in Milwaukee
List of community resources and contact informationSource: oakcreekwi.org
After School Programs (Illinois)
Afterschool programs for children and teens.Source: ACT Now!
After School Programs (Indiana)
Afterschool programs for children and teens.Source: Indiana Afterschool Network
After School Programs (Wisconsin)
Afterschool programs for children and teens.Source: Wisconsin Aftershool Network
Chicago Public Library
Free events for library card holders.Source: Chicago Public Library
Childbirth & Parenting Classes (Indiana)
Affordable parenting classes.Source: Community Health Network
Free Mommy & Me Classes (Illinois - Chicago)
A list of free programs for new moms and babies.Source: Mommy Nearest
Illinois Winter Events
List of holiday events and festivals in IllinoisSource: Travel Illinois
Indianapolis Public Library
Free events for library card holders.Source: Indianapolis Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Free events for library card holders.Source: Milwaukee Public Library
Parenting Classes
Affordable parenting classes.Source: The Parenting Network
Parenting Education Program (Illinois-Chicago)
Support services with focus on youths in foster care, teen parents and low income families.Source: Ucan
SouthShore Convention & Visitor Authority
30 Free and fun things to do on the South ShoreSource: southshorecva.com
Lawsuit Information
Judicial Sales Corp.
Schedule of upcoming and completed sheriff sales in IllinoisSource: tjsc.com
mycase.IN.gov
Search lawsuits filed in any county in IndianaSource: IN.gov
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
Look up lawsuits in the state of WisconsinSource: wicourts.gov
Owning a Home
Home Buying Seminars
Schedule of seminars for potential home-buyers in the Milwaukee areaSource: landmarkcu.com
How Much House Can I Afford?
Budget and cost planning for home buyersSource: bankrate.com
Illinois Hardest Hit
Application for mortgage assistanceSource: Illinois Hardest Hit
Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network
Application for mortgage assistanceSource: Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network
Refinance Calculator
Use this calculator to see options to refinance your home.Source: Realtor.com
Owning a Vehicle
Car Affordability Calculator: How Much Car Can You Afford?
Tips and tools for calculating an affordable car paymentSource: nerdwallet.com
Car Insurance Requirements (Illinois)
Review the car insurance requirements and affordable options.Source: DMV
Car Insurance Requirements (Indiana)
Review the car insurance requirements and affordable options.Source: DMV
Car Insurance Requirements (Wisconsin)
Review the car insurance requirements and affordable options.Source: DMV
Chicago Parking Ticket Search
Chicago Parking Ticket SearchSource: CityofChicago.org
Child Care Assistance (Illinois)
Apply for child care subsidySource: Department of Human Services
Saving Money
Child Care Assistance (Indiana)
Apply for child care subsidySource: Family & Social Services Administration
Child Care Assistance (Wisconsin)
Apply for child care subsidySource: Wisconsin Department of Children & Families
Holiday Savings
Tips to save money on the holidaysSource: Parenting.com
Indiana Winter Events
List of events and festivals in IndianapolisSource: Indianapolis Travel Site
17 Ways to Save Money On Groceries
Tools and tips to save on foodSource: bonappetit.com
SNAP Benefits (Illinois)
Apply for food assistanceSource: Department of Human Services
SNAP Benefits (Indiana)
Apply for food assistanceSource: Family & Social Services Administration
SNAP Benefits (Wisconsin)
Apply for food assistanceSource: Department of Health Services
Spend Smart. Eat Smart.
Use this calculator to determine your monthly grocery budget based on your household size.Source: Iowa State University
Healthcare.gov
Government Sponsered Medical CoverageSource: Healthcare.gov
Medicaid
Application for Medicaid.Source: Heathcare.gov
CTA & PACE Fare Programs
A list of Ventra programs available for students, elderly and low income.Source: Ventra
Find Cheap Gas Prices in Illinois
Helps you find the cheapest gas in your area in IllinoisSource: illinoisgasprices.com
IndyGo
A list of fare and programs for public transportation in Indianapolis.Source: IndyGo
MCTS
A list of fare and programs for public transportation in Milwaukee.Source: Milwaukee County Transit
Wisconsin Winter Events
List of events and festivals in WisconsinSource: Travel Wisconsin
Wisconsin Foodshare and Public Assistance
How to Check Eligibility for Food-share and other Public Assistance benefits in WisconsinSource: State of Wisconsin
Affordable Housing
This link can help you find affordable housing programs in your area.Source: HUD
Illinois Legal Aid
Free Guide to ILLINOIS tenants rightsSource: Illinoislegalaid.org
Marquette University School of Dentistry Community Care Clinics
Reduced-fee dental services in the Milwaukee areaSource: marquette.edu
SoberRecovery
Help with drug and alcohol addictionSource: soberrecovery.com
Taxes
Affordable Tax Preparers
Free tax return preparation for anyone making less than $54,000 per year.Source: IRS
Do I need to file?
Questionnaire to determine if you are required to file a tax return.Source: IRS
IRS Tax Refund Status
Check the status of your IRS tax refundSource: IRS.gov
IRS Withholding Calculator
How to calculate proper tax withholdings to maximize your incomeSource: IRS.gov
TurboTax Tax Calculator
Estimate Your Upcoming Tax RefundSource: Turbotax.com
VITA Tax Program
Tax preparation assistance for low-income residents of Milwaukee CountySource: Social Development Commission
Utility Assistance
Budget Billing (Wisconsin)
Spread your utility bills out over a 12 month period to ease the burden of peak months.Source: WE Energies
CEDA
Non-profit Energy/utility assistance programs for Cook CountySource: Community & Economic Development Assoc. of Cook County
ComEd Bill Payment Assistance
Bill Payment Assistance for people who are experiencing financial hardship due to job loss, illness, military deployment, disability, or as a senior citizenSource: Commonweath Edison
Energy.gov
List of Winter/Fall Utilities SavingsSource:
Home Energy Savings Program
Information about saving money on utilitiesSource: Illinois Department of Commerce
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
Assistance to prevent utility disconnection in the state of IndianaSource: in.gov
Northwest Indiana Community Action
Wide range of assistance from Energy Assistance Program to Volunteer Tax Assistance, to tips on weatherizing a homeSource: nwi-ca.com
Utility Assistance (Illinois - Chicago)
Application for utility assistance programs in Chicago.Source: Catholic Charities
Utility Assistance (Illinois)
Requirements for Utility Assistance in IllinoisSource: Illinois Department of Commerce
COVID-19 Resources
CDC
The main CDC web site for Coronavirus information & resources.Source: CDC
CDC Recommendations
CDC recommended guides to cleaning and sanitation using everyday supplies.Source: CDC
Source: Google
John Hopkins University
Interactive map of Coronavirus casesSource: John Hopkins University
NY Times
Interactive map of Coronavirus casesSource: NY Times
WHO
World Health Organization instructions on how to PROPERLY wash your hands.Source: WHO
Benefits.gov
Guide to government benefits and resources available.Source: Federal Government
ComEd
Information from ComEd suspending disconnection notices during COVID-19.Source: ComEd
Department of Education
Information on how to put student loans in deferment, home schooling resources and suggestions for keeping kids busy at home.Source: Department of Education
Edmunds
Information about car loan and relief options.Source: Edmunds
Fannie Mae
Mortgage options and resources from Fannie MaeSource: Fannie Mae
Forbes
Information about stimulus check if you received your tax refund using a loan or an advance.Source: Forbes
Illinois Realtors
Information about unemployment options for independent contractors and realtors.Source: Illinois Realtors
USBG
Information for bartenders & serversSource: USBG
Buzz Feed
Indoor idea for kids!Source: Buzz Feed
KQED
Ideas to become more trauma-informed.Source: KQED
PBS
How to talk to your kids about CoronavirusSource: PBS
NPR
The Coronavirus ComicSource: NPR
Travel & Leisure
List and links to virtual museum tours!Source: Travel & Leisure
Dupage County Illinois
COVID-19 resources in Dupage County, IllinoisSource: Dupage County Illinois
Lake County - Indiana
COVID-19 resources in Lake County, IndianaSource: Lake County Indiana
Lake County-Illinois
COVID-19 resources in Lake County, IllinoisSource: Lake County Illinois
Porter County
COVID-19 resources in Porter County, IndianaSource: Porter County Indiana
State of Illinois
News about Illinois & CoronavirusSource: Illinois Government
State of Indiana
Unemployment FAQsSource: State of Indiana
State of IN
Indiana information about "remote" learning including resources for parents and teachers.Source: State of Indiana
Will County Illinois
COVID-19 resources in Will County, IllinoisSource: Will County Illinois