Many people aren’t comfortable with basic economic or personal finance concepts. Luckily, there is a slew of helpful resources available that can help anyone learn more about a range of related topics. If you are looking for great free options that can make expanding your knowledge easier, here are some of the best economic resources out there. These are all 100% free from good quality sources.
Kiplinger
Kiplinger is a big name in the world of finance and has been for some time. The site covers a wide range of topics, including everything from personal finance to wealth building to taxes. Plus, there is a robust tools page brimming with calculators and search tools. You’ll also find a subsection dedicated to economic outlooks, giving you access to insights about the job market, inflation, the gross domestic product (GDP), and more.
When it comes to the world of finance, Kiplinger is practically a one-stop option. Getting around the site is incredibly easy, too, so you’ll be able to find the information you want quickly and efficiently.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free educational platform that offers world-class learning at absolutely no-cost. The site has courses on nearly every topic imaginable, including a massive section dedicated to economics and finance.
You’ll find classes on macroeconomics, microeconomics, and finance and capital markets. All of the content is designed to be easy to understand, and many of the courses rely heavily on short videos to present the information. Not only does this make the classes engaging, but it also ensures that they are highly digestible and can be squeezed into even the busiest of schedules.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has an educational section that focuses solely on economics and personal finance. All of the content is free, and a range of different educational levels are covered, including some college-level options.
While the information is technically targeted at educators who teach the subjects, it is still handy for people who don’t need to present the topics in a classroom. Plus, some of the content is available in a video or podcast format, making it pretty engaging and potentially useful when on the go.
SparkNotes
SparkNotes is known for taking a complex subject and making it easier to understand. In the economics section, you’ll find tons of information on topics like money, banking, economic growth, tax and fiscal policy, and much more.
The information is geared toward high school and college students. However, it is useful for practically everyone who needs a basic understanding of economics.
Alison
Another site focused on educational courses, Alison does offer some economics and personal finance classes for free. On the economics side, you can learn about various aspects of microeconomics, macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and more. For personal finance, the financial literacy course is a great place to start as it covers nearly every basic topic one would hope to touch on as a beginner.
Investopedia
If you want to find out more about the world of finance, economics, investing, and more, Investopedia has a wealth of information available. You’ll find clear breakdowns that make terms and concepts easier to understand, as well as a variety of tools and calculators that can help you assess your financial situation or plan for the future.
Pretty much all of the content (except the classes in the Academy section) is free to enjoy. Just be aware that the site isn’t always the easiest to navigate, but once you find what you’re looking for, the information is incredibly valuable.
EdX
If you want to access the same courses that are taught at some of the countries leading universities, EdX makes that possible. You’ll find a broad selection of economics classes, including several that are at a more introductory level. Plus, there are some solid personal finance courses too, including some that cover topics like how to save money, smart tools for decision-making, and more.
Some of these classes aren’t entirely self-paced, so you do need to be able to commit to the entire period if you want to make the most of the experience. Additionally, don’t be surprised if the course expects you to understand certain subjects already, particularly high school level math, as they are aimed at college students.
Practical Money Skills
Practical Money Skills really takes a close look at the basics of personal finance, focusing on core topics like budgeting, saving, emergency fund building, financial institutions, credit, and debt. The information is targeted at average, everyday people, too, so it’s easy to digest. Additionally, newsroom posts on the homepage often discuss a variety of economics subjects, based on the events that are currently happening in the US economy.
CNBC
CNBC focuses on business, markets, and economic news. If you want to stay on top of what’s happening in the US or around the world, it’s an excellent place for current events focused on the topics. The politics section is also helpful for learning about various economic issues, like tariffs and policy changes.
If you want to focus more on personal finance, CNBC’s Make It Money section is a solid choice. It’s loaded with tips and tricks articles as well as general information about money and the population, which can also make for some interesting reading.
CNN Business & Money Essentials
If you want to keep up on news about the economy, CNN’s Economy section is a solid choice. You’ll find articles about the current economic state of the US as well as details about upcoming events that may lead to changes. Most of the pieces are fairly simple to understand, and some include videos or graphics that can help you learn about various concepts too.
The Money Essentials section of the CNN website is a great place to learn more about the basics of personal finance. The site covers a variety of topics, including everything from getting a job to buying a car to starting a family. Each of the subject breakdowns is thorough but easy to follow, ensuring anyone can get this core information down.
