The use of payment services and savings programs influences other aspects of financial planning. Attempts to minimize banking fees while
maximizing earnings on funds are common objectives.
| Your Short-Term Financial Planning
Activities | Resources |
| 1. Identify various financial services needed for savings, payment, and money
management activities. Identify financial institutions that you might use to obtain these services. | PFP Sheet 23
www.bankrate.com
www.creditunion.coop
www.wachovia.com |
| 2. Compare the rates of return, fees, and other factors for different savings plans that you might use to meet your
financial goals. | PFP Sheets 24, 25
www.fdic.gov
www.savingsbonds.gov |
| 3. Compare the features and costs of checking and check card services at various financial institutions. | PFP Sheets
26, 27
www.bankrate.com
www.checkfree.com |
| Your Long-Term Financial Planning Activities | |
| 1. Identify savings decisions that
would best help you achieve long-term financial goals. | www.clevelandsaves.org
www.asec.org
www.centura.com/tools |
| 2. List the economic conditions (inflation, current interest rates) and personal factors related to the costs and benefits
of financial services that you should monitor as your personal life situation changes over time. | Text pages 141–142, 143
www.federalreserve.gov |
