For many just finishing college, the transition between school and the real world can be a tumultuous one. Many grads will be on their own for the first time paying bills, budgeting, and repaying those hefty college loans, not to mention learning to adjust to working a regular job and not having the easily accessible pool of friends nearby. Learning to effectively manage finances can be a process of trial and error but grads can stack the deck in their favor by taking advantage of great online resources that can help them learn and keep track of where every penny of their paychecks is going.

Free Courses

Just because you’re no longer in school doesn’t mean you can’t keep learning from these great free courses. In them, you’ll find instruction on how to do everything from manage your personal finances to learn how to keep the books of a business.

1. Family Finance: Take this course offered by Utah State to learn what it means to set financial goals as an individual or a family unit. You’ll get insights into financial tools and find out how to reach goals like buying a house.
2. Entrepreneurial Finance: Focusing on business related finance, this course from MIT can help you learn what you need to know about the basics of running the finances of a business.
3. Personal finance: Debt and borrowing in its wider context: OpenLearn in the UK offers this free course that may be of interest to students with big loans to pay back, as it focuses on debt and borrowing.
4. Real Estate Finance and Investment: Most students graduate from college with the hope of one day owning a house. With the right kind of planning, it may be able to happen sooner than you think, and this course from MIT can help.
5. Taxes and Business Strategy: If you’re planning on working in or owning your own business, give this MIT course a try to learn more about the impact taxes can have on your business’ financial planning.
6. Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning: UC Irvine offers this course that can help you figure out and reach your personal financial goals, even if you know little about financial planning.
7. Money 101: Want to know the basics of dealing with money? CNN Money put together this course to teach you the fundamentals of everything from budgeting to planning for retirement.
8. Investing in Your Future: This course from Rutgers helps those with only small amounts to invest get educated on the types of funds out there and how to best manage risk.
9. Financial Security for All: Check out this course from Michigan State University. You’ll learn more about the most important financial issues that will affect you today and later in life.
10. Planning for a Secure Retirement: Think it’s too early to start planning for retirement? Think again, as it’s never too soon to open up a retirement account and start planning for your future. This course can give you some great advice on how to start.

eBooks

These free online books provide ample reading material for finance newbies hoping to learn more.

11. Building Wealth: A Beginner’s Guide to Securing Your Financial Future: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers this free ebook that can help young people learn more about setting financial goals, seeking guidance, budgeting, saving and investing, and managing debt.
12. Taking Control of Your Finances: Check out this book from the FDIC on managing money. Geared towards the fresh college grad or young adult, this guide can help you avoid making some major financial mistakes.
13. Healthy Credit: As a young person, you likely have a pretty short credit report. This guide will help you learn how to keep your credit score healthy and offers some helpful credit building tips.
14. 66 Ways to Save Money: This popular ebook from the Consumer Literacy Consortium will give you loads of suggestions on how to cut back on your spending and save up for big ticket items.
15. Get the Facts on Saving and Investing: The SEC offers this free ebook and accompanying worksheets to give some insight into building financial security.
16. Simple Strategies for Managing Your Money: Learn the basics of avoiding financial problems with this guide and checklist from the FDIC.
17. Banking Basics: Feel like you’re totally in the dark about banking? Then read this book from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston that will guide you through the types of accounts and some banking fundamentals.
18. Money Matters: Your Guide for Financial Security: This ebook will help you learn more about everything from keeping your financial records in order to successfully managing your debts.
19. Pathways to Getting Ahead: If you’re just starting out on your own this book can help you learn how to get on the right path for financial success and how to set some great goals for your future.
20. Identity Theft: If you think identity theft can’t happen to you, think again. This book will help you safeguard your identity or help you learn what to do if you do become a victim.

Bill Tracking

If you’ve never managed your bills on your own before or just want to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything, these tools can be a big help.

21. iOWEYOU: For those who are moving out to the real world and keeping expenses low by sharing a real world, this tool can be useful. It makes it easier to manage household expenses and making sure each person pays their share of the bills.
22. BillQ: This online tracking system lets you keep tabs on your bills, sends you reminders that they are due and makes sure you stay on top of things.
23. Billster: If you’ve ever wondered how much you’ve spent on bills, this tool can help you figure it out easily, tracking your spending over several months.
24. SpicyDigits: Whether you’re working with friends or managing any kind of shared expenses, this tool can help ensure that everyone knows what they owe.
25. BillHighway: Track your own or shared bills with this helpful software.
26. BillMonk: Ever taken a vacation or split a bit ticket item with a friend never to be reimbursed? This tool helps you keep track of what is owed.
27. Bill Organizer: Use this spreadsheet to track where your money is going each month. It can be a great way to create better budgets.
28. iTrackMine: This site isn’t specifically related to bills, but it is one way to track what’s owed to you. You’ll be able to keep tabs on who you lent what and make sure you get it back.

Financial Management

These online tools will help you keep track of your money, where you’re spending it and how you can save more.

29. Buxfer: Check out this online tool to keep track of what you owe in expenses and what’s owed to you as well.
30. DimeWise: While not free, this tool allows you to manage all your financial information on one secure site right from the web.
31. Expensr: Not sure where your last paycheck went? This tool can help you figure it out and will present the results in graphs to make it easy to understand.
32. Foonance: This online financial tool is unique in that it uses the concept of "money stores" to organize your financial data.
33. NetWorthIQ: With this site you can create an online financial profile and manage your money, all while being able to compare your information with that of others.
34. Mint: One of the most popular online personal finance tools, Mint offers users the chance to integrate their savings, checking, credit cards and even loans into one easily manageable site.
35. Mvelopes: Connect your bank account to this site and use the online "envelopes" to hole money away for different needs (and wants).
36. Shoeboxed: Hate the thought of maintaining your own personal receipts? This service will do it for you, scanning and sending you all your important financial records so you don’t have to worry.
37. Buddi: This downloadable software is easy-to-use, free and lets you create budgets and monitor your financial situation closely.

Budgeting

For those who aren’t really familiar with having a set budget, these sites have a lot to offer. They’ll help you determine where your funds should be allocated so you won’t be short.

38. BudgetPulse: This web-based tool is interactive and will help you work to create a budget that reflects your personal savings and spending needs.
39. ExpenseView: Figure out your expenses, savings and income with this tool. The graphing feature will let you easily see where your money is going.
40. JustBudget: Check out this online tool to finally create a budget that works for you.
41. MoneyTrackin’: For those with little financial experience, an online budgeting tool like MoneyTrackin’ that’s easy-to-use and effective can make a big difference.
42. MySpendingPlan: Don’t just spend haphazardly and hope you have enough. This tool will help you plan out when and on what you’ll spend your income.
43. Plan2Spend: Join this website to create a profile. Once you’re signed up you’ll be able to track your expenses and plan more efficiently for your future.
44. Spending Profile: Track your spending and watch your budget carefully with this helpful online tool.
45. PearBudget: For only $3 a month you can track your budget on the web using this simple but powerful budgeting tool.
46. BudgetTracker: With this tool you can track all your accounts in one easy place and note when bills are due, keep track of IOUs and more.
47. BudgetOnWeb: Get back to the basics with this incredibly simple budgeting tool.
48. ClearCheckBook:Make sure you’re keeping track of all the checks and debit transactions you make by using a tool like this one.

Investments

It’s never too early to start thinking about investing your money. Check out these tools to keep up on the latest news and get help choosing and monitoring investments.

49. GStock: If you want some additional advice on what to buy or sell, check out this supercomputers’ estimates of what stocks are the next big thing.
50. SaneBull: Use this live stock market monitor to keep up with what’s going in the market as a whole and your holdings.
51. StockTickr: Those interested in trading can find graphing, advice and more on this site.
52. Investools: Find a location near you that hosts this company’s free course or take advantage of their online toolbox to learn more about investing.
53. Investopedia: Here you’ll find all the news, articles and advice you could ask for to learn loads about investments.
54. ShareBuilder: This ING site is designed to help you invest in the funds the company offers, and with the first month free it can be a cheaper way to learn about the basics.
55. The Motley Fool: This popular site has a lot to offer from news and stock tickers to an online discussion board where you can ask questions and get answers.

Social Networks

Why go it alone when it comes to learning about finance? These sites can help you find support and guidance from others who are more experienced or who may be in the same financial boat as you.

56. Wesabe: With this site you’ll be able to both manage your finances and communicate with others in an online community.
57. Duedee: Join this stock investment community to get hooked up with other investors, many of whom may have great advice to give a newbie like yourself.
58. I Hate Debt: If you hate how much you owe in student loans, join this community to find others who are trying to pay off what they owe as quickly as possible.
59. SocialPicks: Work with others to make great investment picks on this social site.
60. Zecco: If you want to learn more about investing, get advice and share your trials and successes, join this stock trading social network.
61. StockPickr: Check out this online community to learn, interact and research all about investment opportunities.
62. CAPS: Part of the Motley Fool, this online social network is a great place to check for stock recommendations.
63. MarketWatch Community: Learn what to read and where to invest wisely from other members in this community.
64. InvestingMinds: This community is dedicated to providing "opinions and advice on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, financial planning, estate planning, building wealth and the ways of Wall Street."
65. Covester: With this social network you’ll be able to find successful investors and follow their lead in investing.
66. Geezeo: Try out Geezeo to get answers to questions from financial experts, connect with other people, and learn from both the good and bad financial experiences of other recent college grads.
67. SaveMoney.com: If you’re looking for free advice on how to save money, join this community.

Blogs

Blogs are a great way to stay in the loop about the latest in financial news as well as to read stories and articles that can help you get some great advice about managing money.

68. Consumerist: Make sure that if you’re going to spend your money you’re getting the best deal possible and not getting scammed by reading through the highly informative posts on this blog.
69. Wise Bread: This blog is all about making the most of even a small budget, a daily reality for most new college grads.
70. The Simple Dollar: Through podcasts and posts, this blog offers financial information that is easy to understand and immensely helpful for those in debt.
71. Get Rich Slowly: For most of us, getting rich quickly simply isn’t going to happen. this site can help you learn how to make financial decisions that will benefit you in the long run, not just today.
72. I Will Teach You to Be Rich: Learn from Stanford grad and best-selling author what it takes to be rich. The answer may surprise you.
73. Saving Advice: Get some great tips on saving money and living frugally from this blog.
74. Free Money Finance: Does living debt-free seem like a far off dream? This blogger did it and can help you learn how to as well.
75. Frugal Law Student: If you have any notion of going back to school, this blog can offer helpful advice on making ends meet. Of course, much of the advice is also useful to those on new, entry-level salaries as well.
76. Single Guy Money: Young, single grads can learn how to manage money and live without debt from this blog.
77. Cash Money Life: This blog integrates advice about your career and your finances.
78. StopBuyingCrap: Sometimes it can be hard to stop buying things, even if you don’t really need them. This blog tells it to you straight and can help you mend your impulse buying ways.

Calculators

These online calculators will help you do the math to figure out how to save, invest or what you can afford in rent.

79. Accrued Interest Calculator: See just how interest accrues on your loan with this helpful tool.
80. Stafford Loan Repayment Calculator: If you’ve got federal Stafford loans you can see how much you’ll be paying on different payment plans with this calculator.
81. Monthly Budget Calculator: Use this monthly budget tool to help you better figure out how to make ends meet.
82. Credit Card Minimum Calc: if you racked up hefty credit card debt during college, take a look at this calculator. It will show you how much you’ll end up paying if you only pay the minimum balance each month.
83. Investment Return Calculator: See how the investments you start today will pay off in the future with this calculator.
84. Rent and Mortgage Calculators: Do you know how much rent you can afford to pay per month? Find out ahead of time with this tool that will make apartment hunting more financially friendly.

Loan Repayment

Most college students have at least a little debt to pay off in the form of student loans upon graduation. These tools can help you figure it out and get them paid off quickly.

85. Loan Calculator: Input your income and the amount of your loan to find out how much you can afford to pay per month.
86. Student Loan Calculator: If you’re worried how much you’ll owe for your loans per month, this tool can tell you.
87. Loan Consolidation Calculator: Find out whether or not consolidation is a good option for you by using this helpful calculator.
88. Loan Repayment Calculator: Want to know how much, how long and the kind of interest you’ll have on your loans? This tool from CNN can help.
89. Fynanz: If you plan on continuing your education, you may want to check out this tool to get private student loans that can be lower interest than those from bigger lenders.
90. Real World Tool Kit: Bankrate.com offers this toolkit that can help you learn to deal with everything from managing your money to repaying those loans.

Miscellaneous

From finding out how much you should be earning to getting you a small loan to start a business, these tools help with a variety of financial needs.

91. PayScale: Input your experience, education and location into this tool to find out what the average salary for your position is and where you fall in the spectrum.
92. WageExchange: Sign up for this site and you can anonymously share your salary details with other professionals to see if you fall in the right place or if you’re not being paid enough.
93. Trulia: Whether you’re moving out of the dorms or to a new city altogether, this tool can help you find the best bargains on rent so you won’t go over budget.
94. Zillow: Through Zillow you can learn more about what it takes to buy a home so you can start planning early and get that place you want.
95. Rentometer: Could your rent be too high? This tool lets you see how yours compares to other apartments in the area.
96. MyMoney.gov: The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission hosts this site that is full of information that can help you understand what it means to be financially independent and secure.
97. DoctorPricing: If you don’t have your own health insurance and can no longer be carried on your parents, chances are that you’ll be paying for health care out of pocket. This tool can help you find the prices of care in your area and get the best deal for the best service.
98. Zopa: This social finance company allows members to get loans directly from one another, cutting out the middleman and lots of the expenses associated with loans.
99. Prosper: Check out Prosper to get low rate loans not from a bank, but from another individual. It can be a helpful way to get a small business started.
100. QuarterLife Crisis: And for those who simply don’t know what to do with themselves after college or feel financially frustrated, this site offers loads of support from other recent college grads and twenty-somethings in need of guidance.