Your journey to financial confidence starts here. Explore these resources from the Iowa Household Money Menu created with your family, home, and future in mind. Learn simple strategies to save smarter, manage money wisely, and work toward long-term financial security.
July 10, 2026
Unlock Your Path to Wealth & New Opportunities
Tax Preparation Options
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to individuals who earn $69,000 or less or $89,000 or less for the do-it-yourself options.
Small Business Education & Free Local Small Business Counselor
SBA sponsored training and coaching can help at any stage of business development. Connect with a local SBA resource partner.
Job Finders
Compare over 800 occupations, including training needs, growth, and median pay. CareerOneStop offers
career exploration, training, job search tools, and local help. Contact your local American Job Center for
assistance.
career exploration, training, job search tools, and local help. Contact your local American Job Center for
assistance.
College
College Navigator
Education and training can lead to better paying jobs but require major time and financial commitments.
Use available tools to research and compare your options.
Use available tools to research and compare your options.
Student Aid
Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school.
Help for Your Home & Family
Assistance Programs & Government Benefits
Use the benefit finder tool or search by category to learn which benefits you and your family may be eligible for and how to apply. A reminder that you can search for local benefits at Search 211 Resources Online.
Housing
Search any county in Iowa for housing, rental, repair, weatherization and utility assistance, by simply clicking on the county on the map. Find a HUD certified counselor through a zip code search.
Legal Aid
Iowa Legal Aid makes hope, dignity, and justice available to low-income Iowans by providing free legal help. The Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center provides assistance after disasters.
Aging & Disability Resources
Connections Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) help Iowa's older adults and people with disabilities find support services.
211
Call 211 anytime for free or search online for confidential help with needs such as bills, food,
transportation, health clinics, housing, or crisis support. Assistance is available in 180+ languages.
transportation, health clinics, housing, or crisis support. Assistance is available in 180+ languages.
Start Your Financial Education Journey
Money Smart
How Money Smart Are You? A Financial Education Game: A set of 14 short games covering everyday financial topics. The FDIC Money Smart program helps people of all ages build financial skills and strengthen banking relationships.
Credit Reports
Credit reports can affect mortgage rates, credit approvals, rentals, homeownership, and even job
applications. Get a free copy every 12 months from each credit reporting company.
applications. Get a free copy every 12 months from each credit reporting company.
Car Buying Basics & Major Purchases
Major purchases like appliances, a car, or a home affect your finances long and short term. Before buying,
pause and research your options to make informed decisions.
pause and research your options to make informed decisions.
Buying a Home or Housing Assistance
Buying a home is a major investment. Research each step of the process to build confidence. You can also
review resources for homebuyers, renters, homeowners, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
review resources for homebuyers, renters, homeowners, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Managing Your Money Well & Creating a My Spending & Savings Plan
Create a spending plan that lets you pay your living expenses today while saving for tomorrow for major
purchases. You can even find tips and ideas for setting aside money in an emergency fun.
purchases. You can even find tips and ideas for setting aside money in an emergency fun.
FDIC Consumer Response Center & FDIC Insurance: Protect Your Money
The FDIC Consumer Response Center provides information to help protect consumers, support economic
inclusion, and connect people to financial resources. Learn how FDIC insurance protects your money.
inclusion, and connect people to financial resources. Learn how FDIC insurance protects your money.
Smart Ways to Save & Grow Your Money
Get Banked & Bank On Accounts
A bank account keeps your money safe and gives fast access to funds. Bank On certified accounts help
more households reduce fees and enter the financial mainstream.
more households reduce fees and enter the financial mainstream.
Saving & Investing
Saving for emergencies, retirement, or other needs can be easier with simple strategies. Investment values (stocks, bonds, securities) rise and fall with the market, learn the basics before investing.
Invest America
Every American child gets an investment account. Millions will receive $250 to get started. See if your child qualifies.
529 Plans
A 529 plan is a type of investment account you can use to save for qualified education expenses. If you're
an lowa taxpayer, ISave 529 also have additional tax benefits.
an lowa taxpayer, ISave 529 also have additional tax benefits.
Retirement
Financial needs change through all stages of your life. The one constant focus as we age could be on saving for retirement years. As you begin your retirement plan, there are several things to consider.