Improving your finances can feel overwhelming. But here’s some good news: you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get started. There are plenty of free resources out there that can help you build better financial habits and work toward greater financial freedom. Here are some of my favorite options:

1. Budgeting Tools and Apps

Budgeting is the foundation of financial wellness and there are lots of free tools that make it easier. Every Dollar is my personal go-to app. It can help you track your spending, set budget goals, and get a clear picture of your financial health. There is a free version and also a paid version that links to your accounts. Other apps include Copilot and Monarch.

2. Personal Finance Blogs and Websites

The internet is full of blogs and websites that are dedicated to helping people improve their financial know-how. We’re obviously biased, but love what we share here at the Skull and Bones Society. Other popular ones like NerdWallet, The Balance, and Investopedia offer tons of articles on everything from saving strategies and investment basics to retirement planning and limiting taxes.

3. Podcasts for Financial Insights

Podcasts are a great way to learn on the go—whether you’re commuting, working out, or just relaxing. Check out shows like The Ramsey Show, ChooseFI, and Everyday Millionaires for expert advice and insights on topics like paying off debt, reaching financial independence, and investing. These podcasts break down complex topics into easy-to-understand conversations.

4. YouTube Channels for Finance Tips

If you’re more of a visual learner, YouTube is a goldmine for financial advice. Channels like The Money Guy Show, I Will Teach You to Be Rich, and The Ramsey Show offer detailed insights on budgeting, saving, and investing with easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides and relatable examples.

5. Personal Finance Books (on the Libby app!)

Have you heard of Libby? It’s a free app that allows users to access digital media from their local library, including: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and streaming services. You can check out ebooks and audiobooks for several weeks and read them for free. Here are some recommended reads:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Explores how people's behaviors, biases, and emotional influences shape their financial decisions, emphasizing that managing money well often depends more on psychology than on technical knowledge.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

A practical guide that outlines a step-by-step plan to achieve financial fitness by eliminating debt, building an emergency fund, and investing for the future, all while avoiding common money myths.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Provides a straightforward, practical approach to personal finance, focusing on automating finances, conscious spending, and investing early to build wealth without sacrificing life’s pleasures.

Life Worth Living by Miroslav Volf

Delves into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of what makes life truly meaningful, encouraging readers to explore profound questions of purpose, fulfillment, and what it means to live well.

Final Thoughts

By taking advantage of these tools, you can build confidence in managing your money, develop smarter financial habits, and set yourself up for integrated wealth—all without spending a penny.

Top Five Free Financial Tools