April: Financial Literacy Month in the U.S.

April has been in officially celebrated in the U.S. as Financial Literacy Month since the year 2003. The purpose of this recognition is to highlight the importance of gaining practical money management skills and to support systems for teaching Americans how to establish and maintain positive, healthy financial habits.

Click here Financial Literacy Month Resources to receive complimentary workshops, promotions and tips to hosting an event.

Click here National Financial Educators Day to learn more about Financial Educators Day and receive complimentary material to help you reward volunteers, educators and advocates.

Financial Literacy Month Tips for Families

After you submit your taxes, take a day or two to review how well you’re doing financially. Are there any financial areas in which you could improve? For example, you might examine your money knowledge as it applies to spending. Do you tend to spend everything you earn and live paycheck to paycheck? Many Americans do—in fact, a good proportion of our country’s citizens spend more than they earn. That means going into debt, another area where a lot of people get into trouble.

Improving financial wellness is a step-by-step process. The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) has designated the last Friday in April as National Financial Educators Day. This independent social enterprise organization advocates a series of measures to take toward financial literacy that include:

  • Goal-setting: Set both short-term and long-term goals, and choose goals that are specific, realistic, and achievable. Write your goals down and set a firm timeline for reaching each one.
  • Gaining knowledge: Identify the personal finance topics in which you need greater understanding, and locate potential sources for this information.
  • Family meeting: Schedule a discussion about your family’s money goals and plan to achieve them.
  • Social media: Help raise awareness about financial education day by posting about it on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

The NFEC also conducts an annual financial literacy survey to gather information about the financial wellness of America’s youth and adults.