Happy Financial Literacy Awareness Month! It may not be a highly celebrated month right now, but I believe in time it will be. Every day I see more and more people recognize the role financial literacy plays in their lives and more fully understand how their lack of of financial knowledge affects them. Their eyes have been opened and they are now taking action to educate themselves.
For many years, there was a natural assumption and expectation that every generation did better than the previous one. In most cases, it appeared to be true. Today, we enjoy some amazing technological and medical advances that seemed impossible, even just a few years ago, so many safely assume their kids will surpass them.
But will they?
Financial literacy continues to erode among our children, which may not seem like a big deal to you. But it is a big deal. I don’t say this to scare you but educate you. Everyone handles money and our inability to make good decisions with how we use our money comes at price. Most often, it’s debt. Too many are barreling to the edge of their own fiscal cliff and they don’t even realize it.
But not all hope is lost.
People are taking back ownership of their money every day. They realize their current lifestyle is unsustainable and are figuring out what they need to do to eliminate debt. They are letting go of old habits and beliefs and openly talking to their kids about money to help them avoid making the same mistakes.
These good things are happening as a direct result of the hard work of many personal finance bloggers who are sharing their stories and experiences in hopes of educating others. In honor of Financial Literacy Awareness Month, I want to highlight some great personal finance bloggers you should get to know and follow on your journey to become financially literate. Some of them have already conquered their debt while others are still on their journey to financial freedom. All of them know the difference financial literacy has made in their lives.
2 Copper Coins
Are Ya Gonna Eat That
Broke Millennial
Budget and The Beach
Budget Blonde
Budgeting for More
Canadian Budget Binder
Cash Cow Couple
Cents and Sensibility
Club Thrifty
Color Me Frugal
Debt Round-Up
Disease Called Debt
Enemy of Debt
Eyes on the Dollar
Financially Blonde
Frugal Rules
Girl Meets Debt
Impersonal Finance
L Bee and The Money Tree
Living Rich Cheaply
Luke 1428
Making Sense of Cents
Modest Money
Mom and Dad Money
Money Bulldog
Money Rebound
Monster Piggy Bank
One Income Life
Plunged in Debt
Rather Be Shopping
Reach Financial Independence
See Debt Run
Square Pennies
Stacking Benjamins
Tackling Our Debt
The Broke and Beautiful Life
The Frugal Farmer
The Random Path
Thrifty Dad
Young Adult Money
This week I helped you get a start on your spring cleaning with 5 Smart Financial Moves to Make this Spring. Following these simple steps will help you stay on target to achieve your goals by year-end. To kick-off Financial Literacy Awareness Month, I put together an infographic outlining basic steps to help you become financially literate. The statistics I shared are a bit disheartening, but I also find when people become aware of the need for financial literacy, they get onboard pretty quickly.
The Heavy Purse was mentioned in several places this week. Special thanks to Girl Meets Debt, Shoeaholicnomore, Frugal Rules, Budget and The Beach and Enemy of Debt. I appreciate your support!
My favorite posts from this week. Enjoy!
John at Frugal Rules shared his thoughts on Why Financial Literacy is so Important to Me. I am in complete accord with John as I cannot think of better reason to become financially literate than for the benefit of our children.
Krista and Jon at 2 Copper Coins had the Best Way to Save Money: Embrace Contentment. Too often we look at our lives and see lack instead of feeling satisfied by everything we do have. Love this post!
Grayson at Debt Round-Up compiled his Top 20 Money Quotes to Inspire and Motivate. He found so many great quotes, so you definitely want to bookmark this post for when you need a little extra motivation.
Tonya from Budget and The Beach asked How Bad Do You Want It?” A great question because sometimes we say we want something than do the exact opposite, whether we’re trying to get in shape or get out of debt.
Hayley from Disease Call Debt shared a very personal story in How to Make Relationship Work if You’re in Debt. Most of time we hear about how debt drives couples apart and Hayley shares how her and husband were able to make their relationship stronger as they face their debt together.
The Heavy Purse Store is now open! My new downloadable Money Club Workbooks are now on sale. Each workbook provides five targeted lessons to help you raise Financially Confident Kids. Please check them out in The Heavy Purse Store.
SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
I hope you have a great weekend Shannon!
Children absolutely need to become financially literate. I hope that the days of not talking about money with your children are over- at least they will be with my children!
Financial literacy is so important and I think that you are such an awesome advocate for the cause. Kudos to you Shannon! :D
Hope you have a wonderful weekend