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.

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On average my scores have come up about seventy points through out this whole process. You’ve been encouraging and easy to get a hold of. I recommend this program to any and everyone possible and to say thank you very much and I look forward to closing on my house.

You have given my and my husband so much hope. You guys at NCF are great, thank you so much.”

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I started in the 500’s and now in the 700’s. My case manager Monique helped me through the whole process and I referred my wife.”

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“Thank you Krista, this is David from Minnesota. I just want to say thanks for your help and for working on my credit and scores. Sicne I have been working with National Credit Federation Ihave had my scores increase so that I can breathe a little sigh of relief because I am not in the dangerous zone anymore. You have been friendly and responsive when I needed help. Thank you.”

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“Hi I’m Cindy Bissel from Las Vegas. Just telling how much National Credit Federation has helped me. Monique Martin was my case worker and I am now in the 700’s up from the 500’s. So its been wonderful, thank you very much.”

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You guys cost a little bit more but you’re worth every penny!!! I am beyond satisfied, I had a repo. I had a foreclosure. I had collections and everything. You guys did a phenomenal job. My current score now is 745, I think when I came to you guys I was under 500. Now my goal is to be at 800 within another 4 months and I’ve been with you guys less than a year. So I went from under 500 to 745 credit in under 12 months.

I will definitely recommend you to any and everyone I meet and tell them you’ve got to use National Credit Federation if you’re serious about establishing good credit. It’s worth its weight in gold, it’s worth every penny. Thank you very much and I look forward to working with you guys and being a loyal customer.”

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Again I just wanted to say thanks and I appreciate all the hard work! Thanks so much to you guys.”

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“During the recent economical down-turn I experienced a financial problem that could only be resolved by a company with extensive experiences in solving complex financial problems.

A business friend recommended National Credit Federation possessed extensive knowledge and expertise in resolving financial problems such as mine, I decided to call them and after a thorough consultation I finally decided to rely on them to resolve my financial problems.

I am happy to highly recommend their expertise in resolving complex matters involving financial debts in an orderly and timely fashion.

I believe they are second to none in their approach and timely application of appropriate measures to aid in eliminating and managing debt in responsible ways.”

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To Whom It May Concern,

I became a member of National Credit Federation in February of 2009 with quite a few discrepancies in my credit.

I was assigned a lady by the name of Monique Martin as my correspondent with your company. Over a period of several months working with Monique she has been of invaluable help to me on many occasions.

Explaining to me the process of work your company does and all the procedures that you have to go through.

Monique has always kept me in formed and especially kept my file updated at all times. I know she has many other clients to work with such as myself and I believe she is a definite asset to your company with the way she handles herself in a professional manner at all times.

Monique and your company attorneys have done a wonderful job for me and I would gladly recommend your company to anyone. You may use my name and or have someone call me for a reference anytime, and I would hope that they get Monique Martin as there representative for she knows what she is doing and works with the customer greatly.

Thanks,
Jerry W
Houston, Texas

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