Personal Finances

SDSU Extension works with consumers across the state of South Dakota to improve their personal finance skills and knowledge. A high level of financial literacy, the ability to make sound financial decisions based on your knowledge, will improve your financial well-being. 

Our Experts

Professional portrait of Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head

Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head

View All Experts

Topics

Keep your financial information safe from scams and during emergencies.

View Recommendations

Increase your financial knowledge and develop basic skills.

explore Resources

Build a plan to secure your financial well-being.

View Tools

Featured Resources

Family reviewing budget materials at a kitchen table.

Financial Planning Tools

A high level of financial literacy, the ability to make sound financial decisions based on your knowledge, will improve your financial well-being.

budget sheet with money and bills

Student Loan TIPS (Texting Intervention Program)

According to U.S. Department of Education data, 30% of federal student loans were in deferment and forbearance while 7% were in default (Cho, Johnson, Kiss, O’Neill, Mountain, & Gutter, 2016).

Calculator, pen, and notebook with "Budget Planning" written on it.

Calculating Personal Net Worth

Fact sheet on calculating personal net worth.

View all Publications

Our Programs

Financial Counseling

Money Mentors

Organize this! Legal and Financial Must-Haves

Your Money Your Goals On Demand

Related Topics

Personal Finance Publications, Financial Planning and Security, Consumer Protection, Financial Basics

Related Content

Person reviewing and marking up documents with a pen and post-it notes.

Organize this! Why Clear Handwriting Matters for Legal and Financial Documents

When preparing legal and financial documents, it’s essential to write letters and numbers clearly to avoid potential errors. Learn about some commonly confused letters and numbers in handwriting to avoid mix-ups and mistakes in your own records.

Old barn and windmill with the sunset in the background

SDSU Extension hosts Sustaining the Legacy Conferences

November 03, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will continue to assist farmers and ranchers with long-term planning through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences across South Dakota this winter.

Husband and wife reviewing financial resources.

Resources for Consumers Whose Income is Interrupted

An interruption in income can make a well-planned spending plan a useless financial tool. If you do not have a savings buffer to get you through an income interruption, there are resources available to get your spending plan back on track.