In good times or bad times, County Executive Andy Spano believes that people must have information to make wise spending choices. With that in mind, we've created a one-stop place for you to find the information you need.

You may question how you're going to juggle your day-to-day expenses with your desire to save for your child's college education, if not your own retirement. Or you may be concerned about how to pay off credit card debt.

Owning a home can be one of the most valuable investments you make. The last thing any homeowner wants to think about is losing the family home, especially with foreclosures on the rise locally and nationally. Potential home buyers should be aware of mortgage pitfalls and scams, particularly in this economy. 

The topics below touch upon establishing household budgets, starting savings plans, managing debt and strategically investing for retirement and long-term expenses such as college education. We've selected a range of information and resources that we hope will assist you in making sound financial decisions for you and your family.

Money Management Developing a spending plan and opening a bank account are critical steps to better understanding where your money goes.   As you monitor your spending habits, you can make adjustments to stay on budget. Learn more

Credit and Debt Management Balancing your credit and debt is an important building block to good financial health.   Credit follows you everywhere you go. It affects how much access you have to money and can even influence employment opportunities. Learn more

Accessing Money Learn to how you can get money for life’s major purchases, such as a home and a car, as well as finding ways to pay for your children’s college education.   Learn about the tax credits, for which you may be eligible, that can help reduce taxes or result in actual tax refunds. Learn more

Saving and Planning Having savings will help better prepare you for the future. A little goes a long way -- routinely putting away a little amount every month eventually adds up with compounded interest.   It can make a difference in your readiness to deal with education costs, unexpected emergencies, homeownership, even retirement. Learn more

Money Protection We all need to protect ourselves against scams and deceptive practices. Know your rights as a consumer and what to watch out for. Learn more

Resources and Calculators Check out the listing of county, state and federal Web sites, as well as calculators you may find useful as you take charge of your finances. Learn more