April is Financial Literacy Month. Here are tips to keep your finances on track

Financial literacy levels vary across the United States with only 64% of adults in high-income households feeling financially literate.

News 12 Staff

Apr 14, 2023, 12:36 PM

Updated 606 days ago

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April is not only tax season, but it's also Financial Literacy Awareness Month. It's a time to do a temperature check on your personal finances. Here are some ideas that you can use right now to make sure your money is working for you for the rest of the year.
Over the past year, the United States has seen turbulent markets, geopolitical tensions and decade-high inflation. Financial advisor Larry Thor says the time is now to make sure you're still on track to meet your financial goals. Financial literacy levels vary across the country with only 64% of adults in high-income households feeling financially literate.
“There used to be the saying 'cash is trash'. That's not the case anymore because the are some money market accounts that are paying pretty good interest at the moment,” Thor said.
Thor says don't overlook disability insurance.
"Because if you can't work and if you’re disabled and only out a couple of months, you can get by. But if you're out for years or permanently, you're going to be in a world of pain,” Thor said.
This is what it takes to make sure your finances are right, according to UBS.com:
- EARN: Make sure you're matching your company's 401(k) contribution.
- SAVE & INVEST: Save for future goals, like buying a house.
- SPEND: When you spend, make sure you are a getting good value for your purchases by shopping around and comparing your options.
- PROTECT: Protect yourself in case of unexpected emergencies, which can be very costly.
Finally, when considering taking on debt, make sure you are prepared to manage it. The average New Jersey resident carries about $4,000 in credit card debt. But not all debt is bad. It can also help you grow your wealth by providing financing while your investments grow. And if you're feeling behind, don't stress.
"Nobody's future's written yet, so it's the moves you make now. You save as much as you can, you buy smart, you work hard,” said Scott Wilcoff of Clark.