Missed Financial Literacy Month? Here’s What You Need to Know

Introduction 

April—aka Financial Literacy Month—was buzzing with budgeting hacks, investment tips, and friendly nudges to stop letting your money run on autopilot. If you missed it, don’t panic. You’re not behind—you’re just fashionably late. And we’ve got the highlights. 

From budgeting to investing, this past month was packed with gems that are still relevant today. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or looking to tighten things up, here’s a recap of the key takeaways and resources you can still use to take control of your money.

Why Financial Literacy Month Matters

Here’s a quick backstory: Financial Literacy Month began as Youth Financial Literacy Day in the late ’90s. It became official in 2004, when the U.S. Senate gave April the green light to be the month we all get smarter with money.

And we need it. Badly.

According to the S&P Global Financial Literacy Survey, only 57% of U.S. adults are considered financially literate. That means almost half the population is winging it with their money—and not in a fun, spontaneous way.

Why does it matter?

Because money affects every part of our lives—from paying off loans to saving for retirement. Yet, most of us were never taught how to manage it. With today’s fast-changing economy, inflation, and tech tools, understanding your finances isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.

Financial Literacy Month reminds us to check in, level up, and take charge of our financial future.

What April Taught Us: Budgeting, Credit & Investing Tips That Still Matter

1. Budgeting is Not Boring—It’s Freedom

Let’s be honest—“budgeting” used to sound like punishment. But this year, the narrative shifted. It’s not about cutting everything fun. It’s about gaining control and flexibility. Think: budgeting methods that adapt to inflation and economic uncertainty, like:

• Zero-based budgeting - Every dollar needs a job.
  

• The 50/30/20 rule - Spend, save, survive. 

• Cash-stuffing and envelope methods (yes, they’re trending again)
  
  

Budgeting apps like You Need a Budget (YNAB) and EveryDollar make it easy to track spending, set limits, and actually enjoy watching your savings grow.

Check out our guide to budgeting that actually works and our top emergency fund strategies to stay ready for anything.

2. Credit Scores Aren’t Just Numbers

This was one of the biggest conversation starters during the month. Your credit score affects more than loan approvals—it can impact insurance rates, rent applications, and even job offers. Yes, your credit score might lowkey be sabotaging your dream apartment. Or your Tinder date who Googles everything.

Tips that stood out:

• Pay off balances in full (or at least more than the minimum!)
  
  

• Don’t close old accounts just because.
  
  

• Keep your credit utilization under 30%.
  
  

When used responsibly, credit cards can build your credit score, offer rewards, and even protect your purchases. But misused? You could rack up debt that’s hard to shake.

Start with our recent article on the best credit cards for beginners in 2025.

3. Investing Isn’t Just for the Rich

One powerful message from April? Investing is for everyone. Whether you’re earning ₦50,000 or $5,000 a month, there’s a way to start.

Big investment themes this year:

• ETFs and robo-advisors for hands-off beginners
  
  

• Growth sectors like clean energy, AI, and sustainable funds
  
  

• Long-term wealth > day-trading FOMO
  
  

ICYMI: We covered how to invest in high-growth sectors in a recent article.

4. Financial Literacy = Confidence

Let’s talk feelings—money makes most people anxious. Not because they’re reckless, but because no one ever taught them the basics.

• How to read a credit report
  
  

• What a good savings rate looks like
  
  

• Why compound interest is your friend
  
  

The takeaway? You don’t need to be a finance major to take control of your money.

Top Resources You Can Still Use

We saw a ton of resources floating around. Here are a few worth bookmarking:

• MyMoney.gov – U.S. government hub for budgeting, saving, investing and retirement tools.
  
  

• Investor.gov – A beginner-friendly guide by the SEC to help you understand investing basics.
  
  

• National Endowment for Financial Education – Loads of free, research-backed tools.
  
  

• Plently’s Blog – Articles, guides, and helpful mascots to help you take control of your money.

• ChatGPT: Yup, AI can help with setting goals and budgeting too! (We wrote a whole article about that right here.)

What’s Next? Keep the Momentum Going

Just because April is over doesn’t mean the journey ends. Make it a goal to learn one new money skill every month. Whether it’s improving your credit score, automating savings, or even starting a side hustle, baby steps lead to big changes.

Here’s a simple 3-step challenge to get started:

1. Set one financial goal for June (e.g., save $100 or track all your expenses).
   
   

2. Pick one free resource from the above list and learn something new.
   
   

3. Share what you learned—on social media, with a friend, or with us!
   
   

Final Thoughts

Financial Literacy Month may be over, but its lessons are timeless. Knowledge is your superpower—especially when it comes to money. Keep learning, keep growing, and remember: your financial journey is uniquely yours.

Let’s make smarter money moves together—one month at a time.