Successful money management is a process. Take the first step.
This quick quiz will help you find your starting point.
Clearing out the clutter will make organizing your records a lot easier.
Set yourself up for success; start by appointing a CFO.
Knowing where you are today can help you determine the best path toward helping you meet your financial priorities.
Good credit is valuable. If your credit reports contain an error, taking the time to have it corrected can really pay off.
As you start on the path of sound money management, determine how much money you have to work with.
Determining your net worth sounds harder than it really is. Having your credit reports and financial statements in-hand makes the job easy.
It's time to ask yourself if your debt is too much debt.
Identifying needs and wants can keep you focused on what matters most.
Don't just set goals, set SMART goals.
Now it is time to develop those priorities into specific goals.
Paying off debt is a short-term financial goal most consumers share.
Emergency savings can make the difference between a financial setback and a financial disaster.
Saving for retirement is a non-negotiable financial goal.
Make a commitment to stay on track.
Now that you know what you are working for, it is time to get to work!
Find out where the money is going.
Identify your fixed expenses.
Periodic expenses come due whether you're ready or not.
Create your spending plan.
Small changes can add up to big savings.
Saving money on groceries is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve to your bottom line.
Spread the wealth by sharing one of your money saving tips.
Know where you want to be? This is how you will get there.
Give yourself some peace of mind by making sure your family is on firm financial footing.
Commit to making informed borrowing decisions.
Remember that you don't have to go it alone; assemble a financial team to help.
To stay motivated, acknowledge the benefits you will experience as a result of your efforts.
You are ready and able to move forward. Are you willing?
We hope you enjoy reading some of our thoughts as we join you on the path to financial wellness and we encourage you to yours. If you would like to follow our path on a more micro-level, we will be using twitter to chronicle our days.
Click here for Money Management Blogs
Random parting thoughts by Kim McGrigg
All of the above by Kim McGrigg
What to do with your tax rebate by Kim McGrigg
30 Steps
All Financial Matters Bargaineering The Simple Dollar Mighty Bargain Hunter Blunt Money Blogging Away Debt Get Rich Slowly Clever Dude Five Cent Nickel.com Consumerism Commentary.com Make Love Not Debt
Counseling Calculators Press room Careers Locations
Posted by Kim McGrigg on 4/30/2008
Comment 1
A New Teen Financial Literacy Program: a new financial literacy initiative for teens 13 to 17 years old. The average student who graduates from high school lacks basic skills in the management of personal financial affairs, and many of them fail in the management of their first consumer credit experience. Nouveau Riche is committed to getting ahead of that trend to help teens and young adults prevent costly mistakes that can haunt them into their adult life. Providing them with the foundational concepts and promoting the right mindset can help them get started out with a healthy financial outlook. www.NRTeenFinancialLiteracy.com
Comment: Nouveau Riche | Scottsdale, AZ Posted: 6/26/2009 6:17:18 PM
Comment 2
Financial Litereacy Month turned out to be a success for my area. I sit on my County Board for Financial Counselors and we had an "Open House" on Financial Literacy with experts in the different life phases of finances. i.e. cpa, college savings specialist, disability insurance agent, retirement planner, estate planning attorney and of course, the most popular, the mortgage banker/loan modifier and credit specialist. It's unfortunate, that our country has had to receive a "real crash" course in finances. However, financial planning is important enough to learn either the "easy" or "hard" way as long as we get...especially considering we can only pass on what we know to the next generation. At least now the success of financial literacy seminars and "open houses" doesn't solely rely on who's catering the event. I like your site, keep up the great work. For more from me go to coldfrenchfries.com
Comment: Marcus White | Washington DC Metro Area Posted: 5/7/2009 12:30:53 AM
Comment 3
What Options Do Mutual Fund Investors Have To Overcome Decades of Mediocre to Poor Performance? Unquestionably Mutual Funds are a great investment vehicle but like any investment they are a double edge sword. They are more predictable than stocks but can produce weak or no results if not understood. Currently, there are over 13,000 funds to choose from so choice can be bewildering - under the present non-system. Producing an acceptable return is more bewildering - under the present non-system. For decades, the average return on managed funds - funds whose fortunes are guided by a portfolio manager - was an annual GROSS Return of 9-10% with a positive NET return ( after Fees, Expenses, Taxes, and Inflation ) of 1- 2%. This means very simply your funds will take all of your earning years to double your principal - on an after FETI basis – a fact that is not very well publicized for obvious reasons. You have a second choice. Invest in unmanaged or index funds which run mostly on a
Comment: Arthur Regen | East Brunswick, New Jersey Posted: 3/8/2009 4:12:28 PM
Comment 4
We have measured the value of financial literacy by today's standards. What we too often fail to realize is that the future holds new challenges. Simply said, financial literacy is not enough. We must become proactive and not reactive. Visit kidz4money.com and see how we teach financial literacy, PLUS. Our young people will have to think critically to raise themselves about current statistics and they will need a firm grip on their self worth. Our books and lessons begin legacies...
Comment: Lattice Hardwick | Posted: 10/3/2008 1:21:38 PM
Comment 5
Financial literacy is such a boring word. How about we aspire toward Financial Intelligence. Perhaps if we label it a type of intelligence we'd be able to bring it into the schools as more than an elective! Yes, it should be taught at home. Problem: how can parents teach something THEY don't know? I've been teaching kids and adults basic financial and wealth building principles in my Money Camps and now Camp Millionaire programs since 2002. Our Creative Wealth for Women program illuminates the dire need for women of all ages to know this information. And my new book, The Ultimate Allowance (not in the usual allowance sense) gives parents a great system to raise financially intelligent kids. For more info, check out http://www.ultimateallowancebook.com or http://www.creativewealthintl.org
Comment: Elisabeth Donati | Santa Barbara Posted: 7/10/2008 8:03:03 PM
Comment 6
Anybody who wants to test their own knowledge of Financial Literacy is welcome to take my online 50-question, multiple-choice, Financial Literacy Quiz: http://www.financialliteracyquiz.com/ We also just released a press release with the 1st quarter quiz statistics in case you are interested in seeing how you compare against your peers (go to the "Press & Media" page): http://www.braunmincher.com/ Enjoy! Braun Mincher, Author The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy
Comment: Braun Mincher | Fort Collins, Colorado Posted: 5/7/2008 7:05:01 PM
We are excited to offer you a way to share your insights with the world. Assuming, of course, that your comments are of general interest to most of our readers. FinancialLiteracyMonth.com is an entertaining and informative Web site, we can't let profanity or disparaging personal remarks spoil the fun. If in doubt, leave it out!