Who knows if a little more planning might have seen more of us through these hard times with less painful financial losses? To the extent it isn't too late to learn financial planning, here goes.

Learn financial planning. This site, designed to address financial illiteracy, starts out explaining itself with a quote from Ayn Rand, that says, in part: "It's the hardest thing in the world - to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage." It's a bootstrap sort of approach, with a "Financial Planning 101" minicourse, and some basic instructions on making and saving money.

http://learnfinancialplanning.com/

Twentysomething finance. We found this helpful blog linked from the above site. The blogger is G.E. Miller, who describes himself, of course, as a twentysomething and a graduate of business school who noticed his peers' making "horrible financial decisions that would affect them for the remainder of their lives." There's a range of advice about who pays for a date, ways to save and make money on craigslist, and "personal finance teachings that could save our nation," which is a list of important personal-finance habits to get into.

http://20somethingfinance.com/

Planners' site. This site targeting financial planners themselves could boost your own knowledge on exchange-traded funds (or ETFs), 401(k)s, annuities, etc. A site area on the economy goes behind the scenes into new strategies at brokerages and mutual fund companies. Register to get newsletters such as "Retirement Planning" and "Wealth  Management."

www.financial-planning.com

Fed help. This government-sponsored effort at financial literacy points toward help and services available from the participating federal agencies. Click on "financial planning" for the beginners' guide on building wealth, and the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - or "EFFAK" for your inner bureaucrat - a 16-page form described as "a simple tool designed to assist you and your family in maintaining financial stability in the event of an emergency."

www.mymoney.gov/

Contact staff writer Reid Kanaley at 215-854-5114 or rkanaley@phillynews.com.