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.

Here are the items that were removed or improved:
Federal Tax Lien
Release of Tax Lien
Litton Loan Servicing

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Although these are Harrison’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!

The post Harrison in California's TransUnion deletions appeared first on National Credit Federation.

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

Although these are Miguel’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 Miguel's federal tax lien was removed from TransUnion appeared first on National Credit Federation.

3 Items Deleted
60% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:
Federal Tax Lien
AFNI
Collectech Diversified Inc

Although these are Renee’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!

Bill Spragg, Houston, Texas

The post Federal Tax Lien removed from TransUnion for Renee appeared first on National Credit Federation.

2 Items Deleted
66% 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:
Federal Tax Liens

**AND**

Check out Laura’s result this round from Equifax!

Although these are Laura’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, Houston, TX

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

16 Items Deleted
64% of the Items Challenged were deleted in one round!

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Federal Tax Lien

Civil Judgment in Bankruptcy

Release of Tax Lien

State Tax Lien

Chase

The Stark Agency

FNB Platteville

NCO Financial

Clare Bank NA

Plains Commerce Bank

EOS CCA

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

Harry Bradley

Tomball, TX

The post 16 items Deleted including tons of Tax Liens appeared first on National Credit Federation.

Congratulations Norman on the results from this credit bureau on this round! We look forward to the continued improvement of your scores while your membership progresses.

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Here are the items that were removed or improved:

Release of State Tax Lien

State Tax Lien

Civil Judgment

Federal Tax Lien

Verizon Wireless

Credit Adjustments

NCO Financial

NCO – Medclear

Alliance Receivables

FSON

Wells Fargo Financial

Wachovia

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 Amazing Results on Norman's Report you HAVE to see! appeared first on National Credit Federation.

3 Federal Tax Liens

2 State Tax Liens

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Alliance One

GMAC

NCO Financial

Ford Mercury/GEMB

GMAC

Discover Financial Services

American General Financial Services

The post TransUnion Results for Robert in Pittsburgh appeared first on National Credit Federation.

Earl had some great updates on his report:

2 Federal Tax Liens

Chase/Bank One Card

Citibank SD/Shell

ACS/Dallas Parking

CMI

Trident Asset Management

Superior Asset Managment

The post Earl in Huntsville TransUnion Results appeared first on National Credit Federation.

Kevin had 16 out of 24 items deleted or improved on his credit report! Including:

Federal Tax Lien

7 State Tax Liens!

Express Recovery Inc

IHC Health Services

Credit Bureau of Ogden

Click here to view Kevin’s Equifax results on this round!

The post Kevin in Layton TransUnion Results appeared first on National Credit Federation.