Easy and Free Resources to Learn About Managing Your Money

Is 2022 the year that you are going to increase your financial literacy, create a budget, chip away at debt or learn how to invest? If so, you are not alone. Saving more and spending less money is one of the top New Year’s resolutions year after year. And while it is a good goal, many of us were not raised with a clear understanding of how to achieve our money goals and continue to live paycheck to paycheck.

Here are four things you can do this month to change your financial life for the better and meet your 2022 goals.

1. Take a free online course to help you understand and manage your money, the difference between good and bad debt, how to invest, and ways to save for your children’s postsecondary plans or for a house.

2. Teach financial literacy and model good money habits with your children by talking openly with them about your monthly living expenses and earnings. This NPR article offers suggestions such as a creating a give-save-spend bank that helps children with goal setting or opening their own savings account to help children learn the value of money at an early age.

3. Create a realistic monthly budget and track your spending so that you can see where your money went, how much you spent and what was essential vs. non-essential costs. Also, consider taking the #NoSpending challenge. You can set the rules and the length. For instance, it can be as simple as pledging no non-essential purchases for a week or you can plan to stop eating out for a month. It’s up to you.

4. Find an accountability buddy. It’s easier to attain your goals when you have a friend and cheerleader beside you to keep you on track and celebrate your successes.

Let technology make your financial planning easier. Check out these highly-regarded apps:

• 10 Best Budget Apps for 2022

• Here are the Best Expense Tracker Apps of 2022

• The Best Financial Literacy Apps for 2022

• 12 Mobile Apps for Managing Your Money, Investing and Improving Your Financial Literacy

Learn from the experts:

• Danielle is a first-generation college graduate who now works with first-generation Americans and graduates to help increase their financial literacy. She has a series of videos to help you too at  First Gen Money.

• Money.gov has free resources and tools to help you learn, earn, save and invest.

• 10 Best Financial Podcasts for Parents provides parents with expert financial tips, advice and insights.

• 10 Moms You Should Follow on Social Media for Great Finance Advice highlights the accomplishments of 10 moms who are changing the online conversation around money.