Level I assumes that the reader is trying to learn about basic concepts of money management. This includes becoming familiar with words used to talk about money like "take-home-pay," "withholding tax," "budget," "fixed expenses," "credit," "loans," "interest," "debt," "assets," and "liabilities."

Many people first become interested in money management after they are already in financial trouble. Level I provides links to information about how to reduce debt, how to repair credit, how to spend less money and start saving, and how to create a budget. If you are in a real money mess, we suggest you start with Surviving a Money Crisis.

If you are already familiar with the words and concepts in Level I, click here for Level II.

At the Basic Level the top score for any site is fifteen (15). Read about the Evaluation Criteria that were used to select featured sites.

• Your Own Money

• Su Proprio Dinero

• Your Own Budget

Money Skills for Life
Sponsor: Visa
At the basic level, this site earns our top evaluation score of 15. It is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and a free Chinese language pack is easily downloaded. There is an excellent privacy policy, all of the information is available without cost, it has many interactive tools, and includes a section on "Life Events," and the specific financial situations that go with them.

Work and Money
Score: 14
Sponsor: AARP
This site includes an extensive section on financial planning and consumer spending. Also available is an online tutorial for using the computer and the internet.

Personal Finance
Score: 13
Sponsor: Motley Fool
One of the earliest online financial literacy sites and still one of the best. Includes a section on personal (and family) finance including credit repair, budgeting, and consumer spending. At the Basic Level information is accessible anonymously and without cost.

Money 101
Score: 13
Sponsor: Money Magazine
Twenty-five online lessons beginning with setting priorities and ending with estate planning. Each lesson can previewed in 60 seconds by looking at "Top Ten Things." Also has a glossary of 7,200 financial terms.

Money Management Online
Score: 10
Sponsor: Money Management International
There are now many profit and non-profit companies that offer to help you manage excess debt for a fee. This is one of the earlier online sites. It has lesson plans for teaching financial literacy targeting grades three through six and helpful "tip" sheets.

Basic Banking
Sponsor: AARP
Features the basic language and concepts of money management.

Daily Finances
Sponsor: Daily Finances
A classy British site updated daily with wonderful ideas on living abundantly while still being thrifty.

Count on Compound Interest
Sponsor: KJE Computer Solutions, LLC
Starting to save now can be a powerful tool for wealth building.

Free Credit Report
Sponsors: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
A new federal law allows you to receive one free credit report per year. Use this link or phone (877) 322-8228 to find out when the reports will become available in your region.

Free Credit Score
Sponsor: CreditKarma
An approximation and analysis of the score creditors use to decide credit worthiness, based on information about you from TransUnion.

Getting Out of Debt
Sponsor: Motley Fool
Nine specific activities to help you pay it back.

Debt Reduction Planner
Sponsor: Money Magazine
You plug in your debt (anonymously) and the planner proposes a plan for repayment.

Build a Basic Family Budget
Sponsor: The Economic Policy Institute
Helps determine income needs for different types of families in different states.

Skills for Today's Workforce
Sponsor: Partnership for 21st Century Learning
Employment, communication, basic reading and math skills available online.

Techniques for Successful Budgeting
Sponsor: Money Management International
Suggestions for cutting costs across all budget categories.

Financial Literacy for Immigrants
Sponsor: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Program designs for teaching financial literacy to immigrants, based on research data.