Financial literacy is essential for helping Ohioans make confident, informed decisions about their money.
Understanding the basics of budgeting, credit, savings, and investing empowers individuals and families to build financial stability, avoid costly pitfalls, and plan for long‑term goals.
As financial products grow more complex and the economic landscape continues to change, having knowledge is critical for protecting personal finances and navigating everyday challenges such as managing debt, preparing for emergencies, and planning for major life events.
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions is committed to supporting financial literacy for children, young adults, and adults within Ohio through the Financial Literacy Grant Program.
You can find Financial Literacy Education Resources here.
Below are resources and learning materials from the Division of Financial Institutions and the Division of Securities to help people strengthen their financial skills.
Healthy Financial Habits
Habits such as developing a budget, understanding credit scores, and adopting best practices for saving, investing, and managing money – build a strong financial foundation. Check out how to build and maintain healthy financial habits on our website.
Improve Your Credit Score
Building a strong credit score is important because it directly affects your ability to borrow money and the cost of doing so. A higher score can lead to lower interest rates, better loan terms, and easier approval for housing, utilities, and other essential services. By maintaining good credit, you give yourself more financial flexibility and long‑term stability.
You can learn more on our website.
Making a Budget Fit You
A budget is simply a written plan for how you will spend money. While it may seem tedious at first, it’s a helpful way to understand your spending habits. The key is finding a budgeting tool that fits your routine and makes the process feel natural and manageable.
You can learn more on our website.
Overview of Consumer Credit
Consumer credit refers to the ability of individuals to borrow money or access goods and services with the promise to repay later, usually with interest. It allows people to manage short‑term financial needs, build a credit history, and make larger purchases over time.
You can learn more on our website.
Teaching Young Kids About Money
Teaching kids about money is important because it helps them build healthy financial habits and decision‑making skills that last into adulthood.
On this page, you can learn practical ways to introduce money concepts at different ages using hands‑on activities and guidance from trusted resources.
Are You an Informed Investor?
Being an informed investor is vital because it helps protect from common investment scams and fraud and how safeguard hard-earned money.
This page guides users through recognizing warning signs, understanding scammers’ tactics, and finding out how to report suspicious activity in Ohio.
Common Scams to Avoid
It’s important to recognize common investment scams because they can lead to significant financial losses and exploitation of your trust. People can learn to spot tactics like affinity fraud, unregistered products, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, and fraudulent promissory notes—so they’re better equipped to research carefully and avoid being targeted.
You can learn more on our website here.
