April is National Financial Literacy Month, and it’s a great reminder that everyone — kids, teens, and adults alike — can benefit from a refresher on financial education. Whether you’re trying to set better financial goals or simply learn how money works, there are plenty of tools and courses to help you grow your financial knowledge.
From free quizzes to full-length online courses, financial education resources are more accessible than ever. Even if you think you’ve already learned the basics, there’s always more to discover, especially with changing technology, inflation, and the way financial institutions operate.
Let’s explore how to make the most of Financial Literacy Month and which tools are best for brushing up on your financial skills.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage your personal finances. It means knowing how to budget, save, spend, borrow, invest, and plan responsibly. You don’t have to be a financial advisor or accountant to be financially literate; you just need to understand how everyday money decisions impact your future.
Being financially literate helps you avoid common money mistakes, like overspending or missing payments. It also prepares you for big financial decisions, such as buying a home, paying for college, or saving for retirement.
If you’re new to the concept or want a deeper explanation, start with the article What is Financial Literacy? for a breakdown of what it means and why it matters.
Financial education is more than just learning how to balance a checkbook. It’s about building confidence and independence. When people understand the basics of personal finance, they’re less likely to fall into debt or rely on risky financial products.
Unfortunately, many Americans don’t receive adequate financial education growing up. According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, just 27 states require high school students to take a personal finance course. That means most people learn through trial and error, which can be a costly and stressful approach.
Solid financial education leads to better outcomes in budgeting, saving, credit management, and long-term planning. It also helps you avoid fraud, understand taxes, and navigate financial emergencies. Whether you’re a student or a retiree, it’s never too late to keep learning.
If you want to set strong financial goals, you need to understand the basics first. That means knowing how accounts work, how to budget, and how to track your spending. You can’t plan for the future until you know where your money is going now.
Ask yourself:
If any of those answers is “no,” then this month is the perfect time to get back on track. Begin by reviewing How to Manage Your Savings Account Effectively and What Are Interest Rates and How Does Interest Work? to lay a solid foundation.
Want to see how much you really know about personal finance? The Council for Economic Education offers a free Economic Literacy Quiz to test your knowledge. It covers topics like inflation, interest, budgeting, and investing; all key areas of financial literacy.
This quiz is a fun way to challenge yourself, learn from mistakes, and find out which topics you might need to study more. If you score lower than expected, don’t worry. There are plenty of resources available to help you improve.
If you want more than a quick quiz, there are full-length financial literacy course options available online, many of them completely free.
Here are a few to explore:
These programs can help reinforce financial education while keeping things easy to understand and engaging.
As the push for personal finance education grows, more high schools are adding financial literacy requirements to their curriculums. According to a recent report from Next Gen Personal Finance, as of 2024, 45 states have introduced legislation mandating financial education in schools. Of those 27 states have active bills, and 4 bills have been signed into law.
These changes mean that students will graduate with a better understanding of saving, borrowing, budgeting, and credit. However, for those who have already left high school or didn’t receive a full course, there’s still time to catch up.
Khan Academy doesn’t just offer personal finance lessons; it includes full modules on financial planning, career exploration, and foundational concepts like income, investing, and taxes. These lessons are designed to be practical, easy to follow, and geared toward learners of all ages.
Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for a career change, the platform’s financial planning tools can help you build the confidence to manage your finances. Students can also gain valuable insight into the types of financial services and decisions they’ll encounter as adults. These lessons are ideal for students exploring career paths or adults changing fields. Additional modules cover investing principles and capital markets, giving users the ability to make smarter financial choices with solid research.
you don’t need to work in finance to benefit from financial literacy. Personal finance affects nearly every part of your life; how you save, spend, borrow, and plan for the future. Good financial habits start small and grow over time.
Here are a few essential personal finance areas worth reviewing:
These building blocks of personal finance can set you up for success no matter your age or income. For help with saving, review the Basics of Saving. You can also explore the Basics of Banking and Basics of Currency to expand your understanding.
Every great financial journey begins with a strong foundation. Before tackling advanced topics like investing or retirement, it’s important to understand the basic information that underlies your personal finance decisions.
This includes knowing how to:
Taking a step-by-step approach helps make complex topics more manageable. Rather than trying to master everything at once, build habits gradually, one skill at a time. Whether you’re reviewing how your checking account works or learning about credit reports, every small improvement adds to your confidence.
With the right basic information and some step-by-step guidance, you can take control of your finances confidently. Many nonprofit organizations provide these services at no cost.
Financial planning helps you take control of your future. It involves setting short-term and long-term goals, creating a plan to meet them, and adjusting when life changes.
Key steps in financial planning include:
Even if your goals seem far away, taking small steps today makes a big difference later. For example, setting aside just a small amount each week can lead to substantial savings over time.
Understanding how interest and compounding work can help motivate you to save and invest early. Explore the article The Power of Compounding Interest for a deeper dive into how time can grow your money.
Understanding risk and Basics of Insurance is also part of a strong financial plan.
Understanding the basics of investment is a key part of building long-term financial strength. You don’t need to dive into the stock market right away; learning how investing works, how capital grows, and how risk is managed can prepare you for smart decisions down the road.
Start with key concepts like interest, inflation, diversification, and time horizon. These are the building blocks of any investment strategy. Whether you’re curious about IRAs, mutual funds, or just want to understand how markets move, you’ll benefit from early exposure to these ideas.
Research from trusted nonprofit or government sites can help you take the first steps. The goal is to develop a sense of how your money can work for you over time.
As you learn about investing, it’s also useful to understand banking services, capital markets, and basic financial analysis. These topics will strengthen your ability to grow wealth and assess risk.
For more, check out the Basics of Investing.
There are plenty of free or low-cost tools that can help you stay organized with your finances. These include:
Be cautious when downloading apps or signing up for new services. Stick with trusted sources, and avoid platforms that ask for unnecessary personal data or charge hidden fees.
Building strong financial habits takes time, but even small actions make a big difference. Try these step-by-step strategies:
These practical tips can help you take charge of your personal finance journey without feeling overwhelmed. Lifelong financial literacy starts with small, consistent effort.
One of the most valuable benefits of modern financial education tools is the flexibility they offer. Many programs are self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed and revisit complex topics as needed.
Khan Academy and Next Gen Personal Finance both offer self-guided learning paths with video lessons, quizzes, and exercises. This approach is ideal for people managing work, family, or other responsibilities. Whether you invest 10 minutes a day or an hour on the weekend, steady progress builds confidence.
Self-paced resources are also helpful for reinforcing what you’ve already learned and filling in knowledge gaps around taxes, credit, retirement, or insurance.
Financial literacy is a valuable asset not just for individuals, but also for the workplace. Employers benefit when their team members make informed financial decisions, both at home and on the job. Workers who understand how to manage their money tend to experience less financial stress, which can lead to higher productivity and stronger focus.
Some companies now offer financial wellness services or partner with nonprofit organizations to provide employee education. These programs often include help with retirement planning, managing debt, and improving credit. If your employer provides any type of financial literacy support, make sure to take advantage of it.
Employees who know how to plan ahead are better prepared for long-term benefits like 401(k) contributions, flexible savings accounts, and health insurance options. Understanding these services and incentives can make a real difference in your overall compensation.
While learning how to manage money is important, knowing how to protect yourself from scams and misleading offers is just as essential. Watch out for red flags like:
Always do your research before working with a new company or service. Trusted nonprofit organizations will never pressure you or make guarantees they can’t keep. Look for agencies with a long history of service, certified counselors, and clear privacy policies.
Staying informed is the best form of consumer protection. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to ask questions or walk away.
If you’re feeling stuck, you don’t have to figure it out alone. There are many nonprofit organizations and community-based services designed to help people improve their financial health.
These groups offer free or affordable resources such as:
These programs are available to people from all backgrounds and income levels. Whether you want to improve your credit, reduce debt, or set new goals, professional guidance can make a big difference.
Building a better financial future often starts with getting help from a trusted nonprofit organization. Some communities also offer support through local credit unions and free community-based workshops.
Financial literacy is not a one-time task or a checklist. It’s an ongoing process of learning and applying what you know to reach your goals and avoid costly mistakes.
Every topic you explore — from savings to interest rates, from credit cards to taxes — adds to your foundation. Even when you feel overwhelmed, taking one step at a time helps you move forward with confidence.
Whether you’re interacting with financial institutions or planning your financial future, building literacy is a lifelong benefit.
To go further, explore more free resources at Credit.org, including:
To speak with a certified counselor or explore more tools, visit Credit.org for personalized support and trusted financial guidance.
