You may be getting spring fever right about now, but with the April 15th tax deadline approaching, there’s no better time to settle in and think seriously about your finances. It’s for this reason that since 2004, April has been declared “National Financial Capability Month.” But just how important is this, and why does it matter?

National Financial Capability Month is a presidential proclamation. While this sounds awfully serious, the proclamation in this case has to due with raising awareness during a certain month, much like Women’s History Month (March) or National Preparedness Month (September). April, when most of us are thinking about our taxes anyway, is now the country’s official time to encourage citizens to empower themselves financially.

The proclamations over the past several years have focused on these key items:

Strengthening our economy post-recession

Although our economy has grown since the 2008 recession, there’s still a missing link between hard work and fair opportunities — but the smarter financial decisions Americans make, the better off our economy will be as a whole.

Encouraging financial literacy

The government recognizes that, between lack of education and misleading techniques employed by certain financial institutions, Americans don’t always possess the financial literacy they need for success. Campaigns such as “Know Before You Owe” and the new simplified mortgage forms were introduced as a response to the need for fiscal transparency.

Guiding citizens through major financial decisions

The financial “big three” — college, a home, and retirement — aren’t a reality for all Americans. This is why the government has been working to make saving and borrowing safer and easier for more people with programs like myRA.

Why National Financial Capability Month Matters

Since 2008, our country — and our fellow citizens — have had to reevaluate our relationship to money. A complex network of events, practices, and behaviors robbed many people of the financial futures they had been working toward. This is why both the government and the people of the United States come together each April to take a fresh look at the state of our affairs so we can build stronger futures together.

Each of us is responsible for our own financial literacy, but not all of us have had the same opportunity to become truly financially capable. That’s why National Financial Capability Month matters — it’s a time to seek out resources offered by the government and other institutions that will empower us to make smart money decisions.

Here are a few good places to start:

MyMoney.gov

For basic, easy-to-understand information on spending, saving, borrowing, investing, and earning, see MyMoney.gov.

ConsumerFinance.gov

The consumer finance bureau offers a lot of good information on how to safely and securely engage with finance institutions, whether you’re opening up a credit card or taking out a loan.

MyRA.treasury.gov

Find out about the government’s new type of retirement account that’s safe, affordable, and completely free of start-up or maintenance fees.

One of the best things you can do for your finances — and your credit score — is to learn as much as you can. The more you know, the more power you have, and the better off you are likely to be when it comes to money.

The post Understanding National Financial Capability Month appeared first on National Credit Federation.

You guys are great. I lived with bad credit for so long and to be real honest with you it is a whole new world with good credit. Thank you guys very much.”

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“I started the program with NCF about a year ago with credit scores in the low 400’s and now have scores in the high 600’s.My biggest goal was to be able to trade out of my high interest rate car into a new BMW. I was just recently approved for a new car loan at 3.74%!

Never in my entire life had I received an interest rate that low. This was a result of working with National Credit Federation, Me doing my part and them doing their part. They were diligent about helping &  they were pleasant and professional to work with. If you are looking to boost your credit I would highly recommend National Credit Federation.”

The post Look Who Got Their Dream Car appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:
Address
Credit Protection
MC Ginnis Used Cars

Although these are Chris’s actual results, we have to tell you that your results WILL vary because everyone’s report is different.

But if you would like to receive results on your report, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today! Norman Van Holtz

The post Chris's auto loan and address errors have been deleted from his Equifax report! appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:
National Recovery Agen
Houston TX Firefighters

Although these are Belinda’s actual results, we have to tell you that your results WILL vary because everyone’s report is different.

But if you would like to receive results on your report, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today! Harry Bradley

The post Belinda's auto loan late payments have been repaired on Experian appeared first on National Credit Federation.

14 Items Deleted
63.6% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Civil Judgment

Triad Financial

Portfolio Recovery

Credit Bureau Central

US Dept of Education

Enhanced Recovery Compan

Payliance

General Service Bureau

Citifinancial Auto

If you would like to receive results like these, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today!

Round 1

Mark Coats

Las Vegas, NV

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

First Fed Credit Control

NCO

Medclear

Enhanced Recovery System

Revenue Group

Automotive Credit Corp

If you would like to receive results like these, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today!

The post Aron's results from TU in Parma OH appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Paid Civil Judgment

Infiniti Finance

If you would like to receive results like these, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today!

Coats

The post John in Las Vegas Auto Loan and Civil Judgment Deleted! appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

TD Auto Finance
If you would like to receive results like these, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today!

The post Auto Loan Removed from Valerie's Experian appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Ford Motor

Kroll Factual Data

If you would like to receive results like these, then call the number on the top of this page or click on “Join Now” and we can get started improving your credit score so you can begin living the life you deserve today!

Spragg

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