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.

6 Items Deleted
75% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

Here are the items that were removed or improved:
US District Bankruptcy CT O
Address
Taxmasters
Clark County Collection
Clark Cnty Recorders

Click on the image to view the full size pdf! (Please allow a few moments to load)

Although these are Lofton’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 and get you back on track! Bernard Lowe

Click here to see Lofton’s TransUnion results!

The post Lofton’s bankruptcy and other negative accounts were removed from Equifax appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:
Entex
Northern Resolution Group
Transco Cu
Txu ENERGY
Panhandle 3rd Party
U S District Bankruptcy CO
Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Wells FARGO
Creditor Service of Morgan
Address

Although these are Cynthia’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!

The post 12 deletions from Equifax in the FIRST round for Cynthia appeared first on National Credit Federation.

Click on the image to view the full size pdf!

Here are the items that were removed or improved:
U S District Bankruptcy

Although these are Michael’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! Douglas Birdsell

The post Michael's Bankruptcy was deleted! appeared first on National Credit Federation.

13 Items were deleted in one round!

Click on the image to view the full size pdf!

Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharged

BAC Home Loans Serv LLC

Bank of America

Capitol One NA

Discover FNCL SVC LLC

DSNB/Macys

HSBC Bank

Monterey Credit Union

National City

NYCB Mortgage Company LL

Plus Four Inc

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

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!

The post 13 items deleted for Arturo including his bankruptcy appeared first on National Credit Federation.

The post Chapter 13 Bankruptcy dismissed and more appeared first on National Credit Federation.

The post Melissa's bankruptcy is removed appeared first on National Credit Federation.

The post Ronald has 5 Deletions from Equifax in Warren Ohio appeared first on National Credit Federation.

7 Items Deleted
58% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

Click on the image to view the full size pdf!

Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Bankrucpty

Chase Home Finance LLC

GMACAB

PNC Bank Mortgage Serv

RJM Acquisitions LLC/R

RLI/CBCI

Although these are James’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!

Joe Gendelman, Gilbert, AZ

The post Results from TransUnion for James appeared first on National Credit Federation.

10 Items Deleted
100% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

Click on the image to view the full size pdf!

Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharged

Capital One Bank USA NA

Care Credit / GEMB

Chase / Bank One Card Serv

Flagstar BK

Professional Account MGM

The Home Depot / CBNA

US Bank

Wells Fargo Bank

WF / WB Rec

Although these are Robert’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!

Round 1 Harry Bradley Conroe, TX

The post 10 for 10 Deleted including Chapter 7 for Robert appeared first on National Credit Federation.