It makes sense to all of us: The more we understand money and how to manage it, the better off we’ll be. 

But for those of us who weren’t taught a lot about managing money as kids, it can be confusing to really know how best to handle our income and manage our bills. If we have a bit of credit card debt or a big expense coming up, we may not really know what our best move might be. 

The website Investopedia defines “financial literacy” this way: “Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. Financial literacy is the foundation of your relationship with money, and it is a lifelong journey of learning.” 

Wherever you might be on that “lifelong journey of learning,” the start of the new year is a great time to find out more about managing your money. Learning is power – the more you learn about money, the more wisely you can use it. You can make choices that will make this your best financial year yet. 

According to Investopedia, “people who are financially literate are generally less vulnerable to financial fraud.” They’re also better able to achieve “various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business.”

The challenge is that many people aren’t sure where to begin. Who can you ask to help you learn about managing your money and tackling things like debt? The “Friendly Franklin Folks” often find that people are curious about how best to approach their finances. They need good answers to their questions – solid information delivered with respect and courtesy – and that’s what the folks in our local offices are glad to provide. 

Are You Ready to Learn About Money?

So we’ve gathered some frequently asked questions here, and we’re always available to answer your specific questions. 

Some of the topics that people want to learn more about are:  

• How do you build a good budget that you can live with month after month? At 1st Franklin, we’re often hearing that customers want to learn more about budgeting, especially at the start of a new year.
• What is a credit report and where can you get yours? It’s empowering to get a copy of yours (and it’s free!) and understand what creditors see when they look at your file. 
• What’s the best way to handle high-interest debt? It can make a huge difference when people convert high-interest credit card debt into one monthly fixed payment. 
• How can you save for the future? Perhaps you have a big family occasion coming up, or the season ahead will include expenses. It’s helpful to know how best to prepare.
• Saving and investing for the future. For those saving for retirement (it’s never too early to start!), Investopedia has this advice: “If necessary, seek financial advice from professional advisors to help you determine how much money you will need to retire comfortably and develop strategies to reach your goal.”

You can make choices that will make this your best financial year yet. But many people aren’t sure how to begin learning more about money. Who can you ask? The “Friendly Franklin Folks” are the perfect people to help.

We’re wishing you and yours a very happy new year, and we’re glad to be able to play a role in helping you have your best financial year ever.