Advocacy, Research & Updates
The NFEC spearheads the financial wellness movement around the world through advocacy and raising awareness. Our campaigns are focused on promoting financial wellness through: promoting the adopting of financial literacy programming into schools, encouraging individuals to work toward greater financial strength, getting families involved in teaching kids about money, and sharing research with the industry to empower broader advocacy.
We commend you on your interest in the movement to promote financial literacy education and help support people to work toward greater financial wellness. Because financial education is still a grassroots movement, your participation is much valued and needed.
Featured Advocacy Campaign of the Quarter: Financial Literacy Month
On March 9, 2004 Senate Resolution 316 was passed designating April 2004 as “Financial Literacy Month” to raise public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences associated with a lack of understanding about personal finances. The NFEC offers complimentary resources and suggestions for participating.
A major part of Financial Literacy Month for the NFEC is Financial Educators Day. Each year, we recognize those making a difference in the Financial Literacy Movement based on nominations we receive. Do you know someone who deserves to have their efforts recognized? Click the button below.
Educator Spotlight
Educator Spotlight of the Quarter
Sunny Istar Lee
Sunny Istar Lee is the NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year, and the CEO of Good Life Advisors in Los Angeles, CA. She is also the founder of Money Master Kids (MMK), a nonprofit that teaches financial life skills to children and youth worldwide. Sunny was for NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year award due to her significant contributions to the three pillars of financial wellness: education, awareness, and sustainability.
Through Money Master Kids, Sunny Istar Lee has been responsible for educating over 100,000 children and families around the globe about money mastery and financial health. In earlier efforts, Lee helped teach financial wellness to over 2,000 underprivileged youth in the Los Angeles area.
Karen Oeser
Karen Oeser is a CFA, CFEI, and NFEC Certified Personal Financial Wellness Consultant. Karen bravely shared her story in #1 Amazon Bestselling Book “Aspire: Women Finding Their Purpose” to inspire women to reframe the lessons of their past to learn how they can serve others to make the world a better place.
Together with co-founder Erica Neal, Karen runs Financial Literacy for Her, and both financial coaches are driven to help women dive into their finances. Together, they published another Amazon #1 bestseller titled “Mind of Gold: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Financial Freedom”, in which they share ways to strengthen your financial position, improve your financial situation, and modify your financial behaviors. The book was so well-received that they turned it into an online course targeting single moms.
Educator Spotlight of the Quarter
Brandy Speer
Brandy Speer has a diverse skillset, from business consulting at the corporate level to being a virtual assistant for small businesses and entrpreneurs, as well as being a motivational speaker for corporate, association and school organizations that want their people to improve their morale, communication skills, teamwork and to ultimately achieve better results.
From Brandy; “Most people can turn their financial situations around within 5 years or less, if they can overcome the stigma associated with financial challenges and face it head-on. Our approach is to address the philosophy about money and spending, discuss dreams and goals, then get into the mechanics of personal money management. There is no judgement only support, guidance and results.”
Educator Spotlight of the Quarter
Kathy G. Mills
From Kathy, “My passion is helping college students and young professionals understand the importance of saving early. My favorite part of working with this demographic is showing them how the Internet age has revolutionized investing. What was once viewed as a “wealthy old guy’s club” or an activity only available to “market insiders” has become accessible to everyone.”
Educator Spotlight of the Quarter
Robert P. Kinzer
From Robert, “Financial Education is one of the most important concepts in life. The more you know the more you grow. Generational Wealth is the key to creating lifestyles that lead to better living and great communities.” Learn more about Robert P Kinzer and how he is empowering people in his community”
Latest Advocacy Campaigns
National Financial Educators Day
April
Financial Educators Day recognizes those individuals who are working to improve the financial capabilities of people in their communities. will honor educators with a Financial Educators Day Certificate of Appreciation. The only requirement is that the award recipient contributes positively to the financial literacy movement. Nominate yourself or another
Financial Literacy Month
April
On March 9, 2004 Senate Resolution 316 was passed designating April 2004 as “Financial Literacy Month” to raise public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences associated with a lack of understanding about personal finances. We commend those organizations that are promoting financial wellness, and encourage you to expand your programs this year.
Take Your Child to Work Day
April
April 22 is Take Your Child to Work Day. Even parents working from home can take advantage of this opportunity to show kids what the work world is all about.
All States Fail
March
The NFEC has found that financial literacy requirements across all states lack compliance with minimum educational standards for other subjects. The NFEC is working to address this and has developed a Policy & Standards Report that is available for download.
Love & Money Month
February
Money has impact on our relationships. To raise awareness about the connection between love and money, the National Financial Educators Council launched Love & Money Month.
Financial Illiteracy Costs
January
Each year, the NFEC looks at how the lack of financial literacy affects people’s lives, and asks the question, “During the past year, about how much money do you think you lost because you lacked knowledge about personal finances?”
Teach Financial Literacy Petition
January, August
Financial problems have reached epidemic proportions. People across the country and in your community are suffering from long-term financial problems. To address this the NFEC has a petition to encourage schools to adopt financial literacy programming.
Give Savings
December
The Give Savings Campaign is focused on helping people save for their longer-term financial goals by encouraging them to reduce the money they spend on purchasing gifts, while helping loved ones put money away for the future.
Personal Finance Calendar
December
The Personal Finance Calendar promotion suggests the kinds of financial reviews people should complete monthly and periodically, lays out a month-by-month schedule of significant financial events and documents to evaluate and update regularly.
In the Black Friday
November
“In the Black Friday” kicks off the NFEC’s holiday promotions that encourage people to reduce spending this holiday season and build savings instead. For parents, this promotion offers a timely educational opportunity to teach kids valuable personal finance lessons.
National Preparedness Month
September
National Preparedness Month is a US government-promoted effort to encourage people to prepare for a variety of emergency situations. Founded in 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the preparedness campaign is designed to remind people to proactively prepare for emergencies, natural disasters, and other disruptive events.
Emotional & Mental Wellness Days
October
To help raise awareness about the link between mental health and financial wellness during October’s Emotional Wellness Month and Mental Illness Awareness Week, the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) is sharing new survey data and new information on the importance of financial literacy education.
National Back-to-School Month
August
It’s that time of the year: parents across the country are sending their kids back to school. This campaign focuses on encouraging parents to take advantage of the back-to-school shopping time as a way to provide their children with financial education – using the shopping experience as a teachable moment.
Financial Independence Day
July
To achieve the American Dream in today’s volatile economic climate, a person must understand financial independence and take action toward reaching it. But becoming financially independent is difficult unless we can agree on the financial independence definition.
Military Financial Literacy
May
All Military & Veterans (and spouses) – Gain access to our eVolve eLearning financial literacy platform. We’re offering the full course free to all active-duty military personnel and veterans who desire to improve their financial health.
Sunset Savings Time
March, November
Twice per year the Sunset Savings Time campaign reminds people to review their savings plan and make the changes needed to help them work toward long-term financial security. Sunset Savings Time occurs on Daylight Savings Time day to serve as an easy reminder – when you change your clocks, review your savings.
Cash for Candy
October
The NFEC encourages you to contribute to children’s physical and financial wellbeing by substituting ‘cash for candy’ this Halloween. The NFEC’s Cash for Candy Campaign℠ provides a fun solution that highlights your contribution to the community.
Student Loan Debt
June
The student loan debt crisis is at a tipping point, with a debt default rate is higher than all consumer debt. The NFEC approaches looks at several aspects of this issue and asks for your support in a petition that calls for minors to be informed prior to committing to any student loan debt.
Lemonade Stand Day
August
The NFEC has been celebrating Lemonade Stand Day since 2011, when it was called Lemonade Stand Freedom Day (cities used to fine kids for running lemonade stands without a business license). The NFEC participates in the Lemonade Stand Day campaign to teach personal finance and entrepreneurship lessons to youth.
National Credit Education Month
March
Credit Education Month (March) was founded to increase awareness about the importance of building a positive credit profile and provide strategies on how to work toward a great credit score and excellent credit history.
Nomination Period: Financial Education Instructor of the Year
Beginning November
Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. Each year we select one winner whose history of empowering people through financial literacy make them the best match for the NFEC’s award criteria. Nominate yourself of another.
Financial Wellness Research & Advocacy Center
December
The Financial Wellness Research and Advocacy Center is designed to provide information that can further the movement to increase awareness for financial wellness and promote high-quality programming.
Latest Research, Surveys & Testing Data
Updated Standards for Financial Educators
April
The NFEC updated the Framework for Teaching Personal Finance. These standards developed in partnership with the Danielson Group (creators of most widely accepted instructor standards in public education) to share benchmarks with the financial education industry and provides clear performance criteria. The qualifications set forth in the Framework give public assurance that financial education instructors are held to the highest standards of practice.
National Financial Literacy Test Results
March
The latest Financial Literacy Test Results. More than 70,000 people from all 50 states participated in our financial literacy test and surveys. The test questions cover the ten subjects covered in the Financial Literacy Framework & Standards and has been featured in Huffington Post, The Hill, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, MarketWatch, Forbes, CNBC and USA Today. See the latest national test results – click here.
Cost of Financial Illiteracy
January
Each year the NFEC promotes the cost of financial illiteracy survey. These data are gathered from people around the country and the results help define the real costs of lacking money management knowledge. Featured on the front page of USA Today, MarketWatch, and MSNBC.
Personal Finance & New Year’s Resolutions
January
Each New Year, many individuals set resolutions to enhance their lives during the coming year. The NFEC conducted a survey to better understand and clarify the role money plays in people achieving some of the most common New Year’s resolutions.
Financial Guidance Survey
October
In a recent survey, the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) sought to learn where Americans turn when they need help with their personal finances. Specifically, they wanted to find out the proportion of American adults who have someone they trust to turn to for financial guidance.
Holiday Gift Giving Survey
December
In a recent NFEC survey, when asked, “What gift would you most like to receive this holiday season?” The most common response indicates that many are prefering to skip gift giving entirely this year.
Financial Literacy Entrepreneurship Career Education Survey
November
The the National Financial Educators Council asked people, “Do you think high school students should have access to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career education classes?”
Emergency Preparedness Survey
September
Financial preparedness includes proactively addressing emergency situations. This emergency preparedness survey measures people’s preparedness of their readiness for the next major issue that could interrupt their finances.
Parents’ and Children’s Money Survey
May, June
Parents play an important role in preparing their children to reach self-sufficiency and helping them establish a firm financial foundation. So the NFEC asked the survey question, “Which parent taught you the most about money and personal finance?” The full results are below.
Financial Literacy Testing Data
October
View the latest results of our advanced financial education test or join over 10,000 people who took the exam. Our average score is just over 58%. Can you beat it?
Educational Methodologies in Personal Finance Research Report
July
The educational methodologies developed by the NFEC support learners to develop positive financial behaviors, acquire financial knowledge, and establish systems that help them work toward stronger financial positions. Toward those ends, these research-based educational and financial principles incorporate insights from both the pedagogical canon as well as current research into how people change attitudes and behaviors.
Advertising to Kids Survey
November
The Advertising to Kids survey was conducted to better understand how people feel about marketing to children; a demographic advertisers spend approximately $3 billion a year targeting.
Should Financial Literacy be Taught in School Survey
August
The goal of this survey was to measure people’s opinions about the value of personal finance education relative to other coursework commonly offered in high school. The findings demonstrate that most people across the country agree that financial literacy is a topic that public schools should teach. See the results.
Money and Relationships Survey
February
Each year during the month of February, we will provide new research and data that help us better understand the impact of money on our relationships; and offer resources to help others improve their relationships through financial empowerment.
Employee Financial Wellness Survey
September
The NFEC’s annual employee financial wellness survey quantifies the feelings of workers as related to their personal finances.
Mental Health & Financial Wellbeing Survey
October
The Money and Mental Health survey demonstrates the connection between people’s finances and their emotional state. New data is released each October to raise awareness for Emotional Wellness Month and Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Financial Independence Day Survey
July
Do you believe in the American Dream? Results of a new survey indicate that most U.S. adults still do. To coincide with Independence Day, the NFEC conducted this survey to discover whether Americans today perceive that financial independence is attainable.
Financial Literacy News & NFEC Updates
Financial Advisor
The NFEC has launched a petition website to advocate for a comprehensive financial education program to be taught at all public schools nationwide.
Marketwatch
CBS MarketWatch featured the NFEC’s survey on the cost of financial illiteracy to make a case for mandating high school personal finance classes.
Nasdaq
Nasdaq interviewed NFEC CEO Vince Shorb for tips on improving financial literacy after highlighting the scores of over 53,000 participants (over 60,000 as of 2021) in the NFEC’s National Financial Literacy Test.
Yahoo! Finance
A feature story describing Certified Financial Education Instructors and the role these instructors play in financial education.
CNBC
For NFEC’s Love and Money Month promotion, CNBC created quiz about money and relationships.
CNBC
“In the Black Friday”; the NFEC and others advocate spending less and avoiding debt this holiday season.
The Motley Fool
A look at an NFEC survey on respondents’ level of concern for their finances and their degree of preparedness for the COVID-19 crisis.
Marketwatch
CBS MarketWatch featured the NFEC’s survey on the cost of financial illiteracy to make a case for mandating high school personal finance classes.
University of North Georgia
A team of Certified Financial Education Instructors was trained at UNG to teach personal finance on campus and in the community.
Yahoo! Finance
A feature story describing Certified Financial Education Instructors and the role these instructors play in financial education.
Academia.org
NFEC survey on the most beneficial course that could be taught in schools. Money management was chosen above all other topics.
We’ve Grown!
NFEC launches new website – over 1,200 educational webpages to support financial educators.
New Educational Resources
New curriculum launches – significantly expanded resources & topics.
New Financial Education Packages
New product line available – turnkey financial education program.
Don’t Reinvest the Wheel
New complementary training course – How to Build a Financial Education Program.
Advocacy Center Subjects
The Advocacy Center is designed to give you information that can further the movement to increase access to quality financial literacy education. A core pillar of the NFEC’s mission is advocating for financial literacy education and providing others with the research and data they need to be effective promoters of this cause.
Financial Problems & Consequences
To become an effective advocate, it’s important for you to be well-versed in the problems people can experience if they lack capability to make qualified financial decisions. There is a vast array of such problems and they can be severe. Understanding this information will help you better communicate with others about the need for financial competence.
Childhood Influencers of an Individuals’ Finances
Personal financial problems have reached epidemic proportions and the consequences are severe. So what’s the root cause of the problem? You will learn the answer in this next section, where we explore how people’s upbringing affects their financial situations and the challenges they face as adults to overcome these problems.
Adult Influencers of an Individual’s Finances
As you learned, financial behaviors, sentiment, knowledge, and management systems start forming in childhood and are often established as habits by the time a person reaches adulthood. The problem here is that, once habits form, they are hard to change.
How We can Make a Difference Together
Now that you understand the problems associated with lack of financial capability and understand the root causes, it’s time to explore how you can participate to help push the financial literacy movement forward.
Who is an Advocate of Financial Literacy?
Advocates may come from a variety of backgrounds and positions, but they share one common feature – a desire to help others avoid financial problems and work toward greater financial security.
Educators / Trainers
Media / Reporters
Concerned Citizens
Volunteers / Nonprofits
Politicians / Government
Advocates
Financial Service Providers
Foundations / Sponsors
Corporate Groups / Entrepreneurs
Through the Advocacy Center we provide information on three core areas that are important to promoting financial literacy:
Identify
Educate
Participate
Financial Literacy Advocacy
The NFEC team is made up of passionate advocates who find ways to effectively promote financial wellness. Our financial literacy advocacy campaigns successfully raise mainstream awareness, recognize financial education advocates, and promote financial literacy.
NFEC’s CEO, Vince Shorb states, “Financial illiteracy contributes to a wide range of problems people face today – those championing the movement to encourage financial wellness are needed advocates in their community.”
We commend you for your desire to promote financial literacy and invite you to become an active participant to further our shared cause. Thanks to the efforts of supporters like you, we will positively affect the lives of the people we reach with this message.
Financial Educators Day
A Day to Recognize Financial Educators
Financial Educators Day recognizes those individuals who are working to improve the financial capabilities of people in their communities. While taking the opportunity to recognize traditional educators, we also extend our thanks to volunteers, financial professionals, concerned citizens, and others who teach financial literacy. All these individuals are invaluable to the effort.
Financial Educators Day takes place the last Friday of April each year. In 2017 the event is scheduled for April 28 (see below for a 10-year schedule). Initial support from politicians, celebrities, and organizations in the financial literacy industry have transformed the last Friday of each April into a day of recognition, celebration, and advocacy.
The NFEC has honored several hundred educators from over 44 states and 14 countries. These awards serve as public recognition for their efforts and contributions to the financial literacy movement.
Cash for Candy
CashForCandy Halloween Promotion
To address the financial illiteracy epidemic and improve wellness, the National Financial Educators Council developed the #CashForCandy campaign. This campaign raises awareness about the importance of molding healthy dietary and financial habits.
This campaign offers two solutions for people who desire to contribute to the heath, financial security, and education of our nation’s young people. Parents are encouraged to exchange cash for the candy they collect, and use the opportunity to start teaching kids money management lessons. Treat-givers are encouraged to substitute cash for candy. The NFEC also provides handouts for parents and treat-givers to help guide children toward positive financial behaviors.
In its inaugural year, this campaign was featured as the main story on CBS Marketwatch, front page MSN News, and as a Wall Street Journal feature and podcast, and also was picked up by many other media outlets.
Learn More and Access Cash for Candy Resources
Sponsor Cash for Candy in Your Community
Public Service Announcements
Featured PSAs
The NFEC is committed to raising mainstream awareness about the importance of financial literacy. Public Service Announcements help us garner media coverage and give our stakeholders discounted media buys.
“The Talk” Financial Literacy PSA campaign is designed to elicit an emotional response that encourages parents to talk with their kids about money. The campaign goal is to inspire them to have “The Talk” with their kids, sharing money skills that can help young people avoid financial stress and worry and achieve financial security. This campaign was featured in TIME.
See More NFEC Public Service Announcements
Sponsor a Public Service Announcement
The NFEC also writes and produces PSAs for various stakeholders:
FLEC
FLEC (Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship & Career Education)
FLEC subjects have a direct impact on the future financial security of our nation’s youth. Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship & Career Education are directly related to young people’s ability to earn and manage their money; yet they are missing from most school curricula.
The National Financial Educators Council has formed the FLEC alliance to promote financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career education in schools. The FLEC Alliance provides resources for those who teach these subjects while raising awareness about the vital role such education has on the financial well-being of individuals and communities across the country.
Goals of the alliance are to make FLEC education a national priority and promote this agenda so future generations become financially prepared for life.
Read More About FLEC
Join The FLEC Alliance
Sponsor The Cause
Petitions, Legislative & Financial Literacy Advocacy Efforts
Financial Education Legislation & Petitions
The NFEC continues to expand its efforts to promote legislation that increases access to financial literacy education. We conduct this advocacy by mobilizing supporters and contributing to legislation that encourages financial wellness.
In 2013, the NFEC teamed up with Sharon Lecture to support the passage of Arizona SB1449 – a bill that requires financial literacy concepts to be permanently incorporated into economics standards and creates a separate statute for those concepts.
Currently the NFEC has drafted legislation called the College Student Protection and Financial Education Act to enlist politicians in the effort to proactively address the national college debt crisis. This legislation proposes a preventive model similar to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which requires people to receive budget counseling before they can file bankruptcy and financial education after they file.
Read the College Student Protection and Financial Education Act
Sign The Petition
Financial Education Instructor of the Year
Each year the National Financial Educators Council selects an educator who represents the best practices in financial education to receive the Financial Education Instructor of the Year award. The Financial Education Instructor of the Year award was created to highlight the work of people who are making a lasting difference in the lives of the students they reach.
Past Recipients:
Maria Riofrio Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. The 2019 recipient is Maria Riofrio, whose history of empowering people through financial literacy make her a strong match for the NFEC’s award criteria. View Maria Riofrio’s CFEIY Profile
Sonia Anderson Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. The 2018 recipient is Sonia Anderson, whose history of empowering people through financial literacy make her a strong match for the NFEC’s award criteria. View Sonia Anderson’s CFEIY Profile
Ben Joergens Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. The 2017 recipient is Ben Joergens, whose commitment to bringing financial education to the at-risk and underserved, all conducted in a strong spirit of partnership and collaboration, make him a strong match for the NFEC’s award criteria.
View Ben Joergens’ CFEIY Profile
Sam X Renick Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. The 2016 recipient is Sam X Renick, whose history of delivering practical financial education programming, conducting financial literacy promotions, and encouraging legislation to encourage improved financial competency among our nation’s citizens make him a strong match for the NFEC’s award criteria. View Sam X Renick’s CFEIY Profile

Sharon Lechter Each year the National Financial Educators Council honors an outstanding financial educator by presenting him or her with the coveted Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award. The 2015 recipient is Sharon Lechter, whose history of delivering practical financial education programming, raising mainstream awareness, and promoting legislation to encourage improved financial competency among our nation’s citizens make her a strong match for the NFEC’s award criteria. View Sharon Lechter’s CFEIY Profile
Diane Larsen Diane Larsen is an award-winning economics teacher who conducts Certified Financial Education Instructor training, as well as other youth and adult programs for the NFEC. Diane was honored as the NFEC’s Financial Education Instructor of the Year (2011), received the Jump$tart Coalition Outstanding Educator of the Year Award in 2008, and her students have won the statewide Stock Market Simulation three times, with the latest victory in 2012. View Diane Larsen’s Speaker Profile