The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is helping Americans answer questions on saving for college and retirement, how to budget and much more.

They have put together an interactive Web site that offers free answers to a wide range of financial literacy questions. It is called "360 Degrees of Financial Literacy," and it features free advice for those who are trying to plan their economic futures in these tough economic conditions.

"It's got a lot of good free information to help guide people in working with their other advisors in making their investment and savings decisions," Marty Shenkman, CPA and financial planner, said.

Shankman told the 9NEWS Morning Show that people have to assess their own situantions closely and then create, and stick to, a plan.

"If you've bailed out of the market and put everything in cash, you've just lost a 50 percent run-up on the market," Shenkman explained. "What the investment theory has always been is long-term, rebalance and stick with the theory, stick with the program.

"Unfortunately, individual investors often jump out of the market when things get tough, and jump back in just as they've gotten good, and that's where they've gotten hurt," he said.            

The AICPA says regardless of your own stage of life or financial situation, just a bit of financial self-awareness and planning can make a big difference.

More information can be found by visiting www.360financialliteracy.org