It is Financial Literacy Month, but what does it mean to be Financially Literate?

Being financially literate means having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage your personal finances effectively. It involves understanding financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. Financial literacy also includes being aware of financial products and services available to you and being able to make informed decisions about them.

Financial literacy is an important life skill to have in today's world. It can help you make better decisions about your money, avoid debt, and plan for the future. Here are some tips that can help you improve your financial literacy:

Start by creating a budget: A budget will help you track your income and expenses, and identify areas where you can save money.

Educate yourself: There are many resources available online or at your local library that can help you learn more about personal finance. We have included some links below.

Understand the basics of investing: Investing can help you grow your wealth and achieve your financial goals. Learn about different investment options and how they work.

Pay off high-interest debt first: High-interest debt, such as credit card debt, can quickly accumulate and become difficult to pay off. Focus on paying off this debt first to avoid accruing more interest.

Save for emergencies: Unexpected expenses can happen at any time. Having an emergency fund can help you cover these expenses without going into debt.

Plan for retirement: It's never too early to start planning for retirement. Consider your retirement goals and start saving as early as possible.

Seek professional advice: If you're unsure about your financial situation or need help creating a plan, consider seeking advice from a financial professional such as a financial advisor or accountant.

Here are some additional financial literacy resources that you may find useful:

- The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) provides a range of resources on personal finance, including online courses, articles, and calculators. You can find them at www.nefe.org.
- MyMoney.gov is a comprehensive resource provided by the U.S. government to help individuals achieve financial stability. They offer a wide variety of tools and information on topics such as budgeting, saving, and investing.
- The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) offers a range of resources to help individuals make informed investment decisions. Their website, www.finra.org, offers a wealth of information on investing basics, as well as tools to help you research investment opportunities.
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers a variety of resources on financial education and consumer protection. You can find them at www.consumerfinance.gov.
- The Smart About Money website (www.smartaboutmoney.org) offers a range of resources on personal finance topics, including budgeting, credit, and retirement planning. They also offer free online courses and webinars to help you improve your financial literacy.
- Contact Summit State Bank and discover the ways in which we can assist you on your financial literacy journey.