Bankruptcy

April is Financial Literacy Month

By Chris Kramer

For the last decade or so, the United States has recognized April as the country's financial literacy month, as part of ongoing efforts to increase financial awareness and knowledge about the basics of handling money and credit among all Americans.

In honor of this, here are some great online resources that might help you progress on your way to financial stability.

Money 101: Learn the Basics

CNNMoney.com has a section devoted to explaining the basics of money management. This section is divided into 23 "lessons," each of which offers tips for navigating the world of money and credit. The first lesson, called "Setting Priorities," includes these pointers:

• Limit your goals. Remember that you don't have to realize all your financial dreams. Focus on what's most important in the next few years.
• Prepare for conflicts. When two goals conflict with each other or you come up against roadblocks, remember that working through rough patches is the only way they'll get solved.
• Start now and be patient. Improving your finances takes time, so the sooner you start, the better. But don't be discouraged if you don't see results right away.
• Stay flexible. Revisit your goals often and ask for input from family members to make sure your goals are still reasonable for your current life situation.

Uncle Sam's Guide to Your Finances

The federal government has also dedicated a couple of web sites to consumer information about money matters. At www.MyMoney.gov, you can check out a variety of resources, including:

• Basic information about financial matters like budgeting, credit, investing and buying a home
• Calculators and other hands-on tools for helping you understand where you stand financially
• Consumer alerts about common scams and fraudulent behavior to watch out for
• News updates about consumer finance related issues

Additionally, the Federal Citizen Information Center offers a wealth of information about employment, consumer products, general consumer assistance, health information and more.

Both sites provide great starting points to anyone interested in learning about consumer rights and opportunities from the government's perspective.

The Circle of Financial Life

Lastly, 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy offers guidance on financial matters for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Whether you're wondering about your special concerns based on your age, your gender, your job or your family life, this web site has resources for you.

Full post as published by The Bankruptcy Blog on April 13, 2010 (boomark / email).