Financial Literacy Month: Resources for Empowering Your Financial Journey

Financial Literacy Month: Resources for Empowering Your Financial Journey

April 2025 marks the 22nd anniversary of National Financial Literacy Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the crucial role of financial education in empowering Americans to achieve financial well-being and take control of their financial lives. As economic pressures continue challenging households, improving financial literacy has never been more critical for fostering a healthy marketplace and increasing household wealth2.

Financial literacy, often defined as the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing, is a crucial aspect of modern life.

Financial literacy is more than just understanding numbers—it's about reducing stress, achieving life goals, and building a secure future12. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recognizes that "well-informed and educated investors are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the securities markets, understand the benefits and risks associated with various investment products, and discern between legitimate opportunities and fraudulent activities," according to the SEC's Investor Advisory Committee10.

Mary Olushoga, Assistant Director at the NYCHA's Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability, emphasizes that "financial literacy is one of the building blocks of economic mobility, empowerment, and freedom"3. This fundamental skill enables individuals to make informed decisions about their financial futures.

Federal Resources for Financial Empowerment

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Investor.gov, the SEC's consumer-facing website, offers valuable resources to help individuals make sound investment decisions and avoid fraud2:

•               Relationship Investment Scams awareness campaign

•               Ten Investment Tips for 2025

•               Building Wealth guides for students and general audiences

•               Investment fraud protection resources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The CFPB provides resources tailored to different demographics and financial situations:

•               AskCFPB - Answers to common financial questions organized by topic

•               Tools for Later in Life Financial Security

•               Help for Surviving Spouses

•               Money Monsters program for children's financial education

•               Money as You Grow resources for parents and caregivers

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

The FDIC's Money Smart financial education program has been helping people enhance their financial skills since 20012:

•               Free instructor-led curricula for all ages and small businesses

•               "How Money Smart Are You?" - 14 self-paced financial education games

•               Money Smart News for curriculum updates and success stories

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

The OCC promotes financial literacy through several initiatives2:

•               Financial Literacy Resource Directory

•               Financial Health Resource Directory

•               Safe Money series on avoiding financial frauds and scams

•               BankWise resources on federal consumer protection laws

Federal Trade Commission

Consumer.gov shares consumer protection basics in plain language:

•               Articles on avoiding scams and identity theft

•               Guidance on managing money, using credit, and dealing with debt

•               Free Budget Worksheet and shareable videos on key financial topics

Educational Initiatives and Community Resources

Financial Education for Students

Financial literacy education starts early, with resources available for all age levels11:

•               Elementary school resources focusing on earning, saving, spending, and sharing

•               Middle and high school materials covering income, investing, budgeting, and credit

•               College-level programs providing direct financial education and support

The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and its state affiliates lead initiatives in local communities, while many schools, libraries, and community organizations host workshops and events8.

Workplace Financial Wellness

Employers increasingly recognize the importance of financial wellness programs. The Whole U's Financial Literacy Month 2025, for example, offers faculty and staff access to12:

•               Live webinars with financial professionals from organizations like BECU, TIAA, and Fidelity

•               Exclusive resources, including articles and guides

•               A 30-day Financial Wellness Challenge with daily tips to improve financial well-being

Taking Action: Steps to Improve Your Financial Literacy

1.             Assess your current financial knowledge. Understanding your starting point helps identify areas for improvement.

2.             Create or update your budget. Tracking income and expenses is fundamental to financial wellness8.

3.             Build emergency savings. The Department of Defense's Office of Financial Readiness emphasizes the importance of emergency funds for minimizing debt and covering unexpected expenses2.

4.             Learn about investing basics. Resources like Investor.gov provide educational materials for beginners2.

5.             Stay informed about financial scams. The SEC's anti-fraud campaigns help investors recognize and avoid relationship investment scams and fraudulent activities.

6.             Participate in community events. Throughout April 8, many organizations host financial literacy workshops, webinars, and events.

Conclusion

Financial Literacy Month allows everyone to strengthen their economic foundation, whether just beginning their financial journey or managing a complex portfolio. By taking advantage of the numerous resources available through government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and financial institutions, you can gain the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

As the Money Fit organization notes, "Small changes today can lead to long-term financial success"8. This April, commit to taking at least one step toward improving your financial literacy and empowering your financial journey.

Disclosure

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not endorse or approve any investment, product, service, or resource mentioned herein. While the SEC staff reviews certain forms and filings for compliance with disclosure obligations, the SEC does not evaluate the merits of any offering nor does it determine if any securities offered are “good” investments. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. For more information, visit the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/office-investor-education-advocacy and Investor.gov at https://www.investor.gov13.

Sources

• SEC Study Regarding Financial Literacy Among Investors
  https://www.sec.gov/news/studies/2012/917-financial-literacy-study-part1.pdf
• SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
  https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/office-investor-education-advocacy
• SEC Main Agency Page
  https://usgovernmentmanual.gov/Agency?EntityId=JZfpg7xXgFk%3D&ParentEId=+klubNxgV0o%3D&EType=jY3M4CTKVHY%3D
• Investor.gov (SEC’s Investor Education Portal)
  https://www.investor.gov
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Youth Financial Education Platform
  https://www.fhi360.org/projects/consumer-financial-protection-bureaus-teaching-digital-platform/
• FDIC Money Smart Financial Education Program
  https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/money-smart/index.html
• National Governors Association – Resources for Financial Literacy
  https://www.nga.org/publications/resources-for-financial-literacy/
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection
  https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection
• Guide to Financial Literacy and Education Resources (Texas OCCC)
  https://occc.texas.gov/consumers/consumer-education/guide

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