Individuals and families nationwide are encouraged to save, reduce debt and build an emergency saving fund. They also are encouraged to make a commitment toward building a wealthier future by making their money work harder for them.

• Research free or Low- and moderate-income workers qualify, each year, for an Earned Income Tax Credit that can put over $1,000, and often more than $2,000, in your pocket. IRS Publication 596 explains how to apply, or you can contact your local tax payer assistance center for in-person help. Then be sure to save at least half of this windfall.

• Participate in a local Investment Development Account (IDA) program. In return for attending financial education sessions and agreeing to save for a home, education, or business, you typically receive $2 for every $1 you save through an IDA program. So, $25 that you save each month ends up as $900at the end of a year.
• If your employer matches retirement savings contributions, be sure to take advantage of that. Some employers match up to 100 percent of your contributions. While we encourage letting this money build up until retirement, it can be withdrawn, or borrowed on, to cope with serious emergencies.
  

Inexpensive entertainment in your community.  Use local newspapers and websites to learn about free or low-cost parks, museums, film showings, sports events, and other places which you and your family would enjoy.

• Give up premium cable channels.  It's a lot cheaper to rent one film a week than watch one on premium cable channels that may cost more than $500 a year.
• Borrow books rather than purchasing them.  Borrowing books and reading magazines at your local library, rather than purchasing reading material, can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
• Attend high school rather than college or pro sports events.  High school sports events rarely cost more than $5 and are often free, with hot dogs and sodas typically costing $1-2.  College and pro football and basketball games rarely cost less than $20, and their concessions are usually several times more expensive.

America Saves
Alliance for Investor Education
American Association of Individual Investors
American Savings Education Council (ASEC)
American Stock Exchange 
Consumer Federation of America 
Cooperative Extension
Federal Reserve
Federal Trade Commission
Investment Company Institute
Investor Protection Trust
Money 2000
National Association of Investors Corporation
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
New York Stock Exchange
North American Securities Administration Association.
Save and Invest
Securities and Exchange Commission
Social Security Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. Savings Bonds Online
U.S. Treasury
Cooperative Extension