To find financial freedom, reading really is fundamental

IN 1966, Margaret McNamara brought a bag of used books to four boys she was tutoring in reading in Washington, D.C. She allowed each child to keep one, and they were delighted.

Her giving soon developed into a program that eventually would bring books to millions of children nationwide: the "Reading Is Fundamental" program.

Since I started writing a column, I've tried to do something similar, except that my mission is to get people to read more about personal finance. I often spotlight books that can help you become better money managers.

I believe that reading is fundamental to financial freedom. And by that, I don't mean showing you how to get more money to buy more stuff. Financial freedom comes down to what my grandmother, Big Mama, would say: "It's not how much you make that matters. It's how you make do with what you have."

I understand that some of you don't make enough and are struggling to make ends meet. Many of you are in the middle, making enough to save, invest, take vacations or even splurge every once in a while. Or you might earn so much that you have lavish lifestyles with few, if any, financial concerns.

But no matter where you fall financially, you have to keep up with your knowledge of money matters. You also have to contend with people who are constantly figuring out new ways to separate you from your hard-earned money.

I recommend that you carve out time to read some free personal-finance resources online.

So you have a summer assignment: Check out the resources on the following three topics, and then I want to hear from you. Tell me how the information helped (or didn't). You can email me at colorofmoney@washpost.com. Or send me a tweet @SingletaryM.

*  Raising money-smart kids. Parents and guardians always ask me how to teach their kids about money. Right now, thousands of young adults are preparing to head off to college. Help equip them with knowledge that will save them financial heartache.

Check out the "Money Smart" guides and curriculums recently created by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in partnership with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The series, available in English and Spanish, is intended for four school-grade ranges - pre-K to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. The last one also is targeted to young adults ages 18 to 20.

The guides are prepared for parents and guardians. And the curriculums are more targeted to teachers. Parents and guardians can find a quick link to the guides, which include money activities: www.consumerfinance.gov/parents. Educators can download curriculums for the classroom or a workshop at www.fdic.gov/moneysmart (links to the guides are there as well). There are classroom-ready presentation materials, including PowerPoint slides, for the appropriate age or grade.

In the curriculum for grades three to five, one suggested activity is to play "I Spy." To your child, you might say, "I spy something square." (It's the TV.) After the correct item is guessed, you're instructed to talk about whether it is a need or a want, and explain why. I love this idea.

The guides include words that children and teens need to know (some of which you might not even know). You'll find recommended conversation-starters about money.

*  Cybersecurity. We keep so much of our personal business on our smartphones and computers. But are you doing all you can to protect that information?

OnGuardOnline.gov is a site where you'll find information about securing your devices, avoiding scams and shopping smart. It's managed by the Federal Trade Commission in partnership with other federal agencies.

The reading material is supplemented by games that you and your children might like. I recommend these two: "The Case of the Cyber Criminal" and "ID Theft Faceoff."

*  Investor protection. So many people think that investment fraud can't happen to them. But it can.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has created "SmartCheck," a campaign to help investors help themselves. On smartcheck.cftc.gov, you'll find links to check the credentials of certain investment professionals.

Start first with the "Resources" section. A series of videos illustrate pitches that you might hear on TV or at a party or cookout.

If you truly want financial freedom, become informed. And read.