National Financial Awareness Day, celebrated every year on Aug. 14, is a great time to think about your money decisions and plan for a better financial future. In this blog, we explore five ways to celebrate National Financial Awareness Day, including reflecting on financial goals, learning more about personal finance, creating a budget, working on credit health, and exploring saving and investing strategies.

What is National Financial Awareness Day?

National Financial Awareness Day is dedicated to promoting financial literacy and raising awareness about the importance of personal finances. It’s a reminder for individuals and families to evaluate their financial goals, so they can work towards financial well-being.

Financial Awareness Day by the Numbers

Data from various sources shows that many Americans feel they are struggling financially and could benefit from more awareness of financial literacy and financial health:

• Data from the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center has shown that only around 50% of Americans have been considered financially literate over the past eight years.
• A recent survey from MarketWatch found that almost 50% of Americans feel they are “broke”, and more than 66% report they are living paycheck to paycheck.
• CNBC recently reported on an American survey in which 73% of respondents identified their personal finances as the biggest stressor in their lives.

Celebrating Financial Awareness Day by taking time to learn and practice strong financial habits can help contribute to personal financial health and lower stress levels surrounding personal finances.

Ideas to Celebrate Financial Awareness Day

1. Reflect on Your Financial Goals

Setting clear financial goals gives direction and purpose to your financial journey. Whether it’s buying a house, starting a business, or retiring comfortably, setting financial goals helps you stay motivated and accountable.

To help reflect on your financial goals, try these strategies:

• Regularly review your goals. Set aside time on a regular basis to review your financial goals. This could be monthly, quarterly, or annually. Regular reviews allow you to track your progress, make adjustments, and stay focused on your priorities.
• Be specific and realistic. Ensure your financial goals are SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Being specific and realistic helps you create attainable targets and prevents setting yourself up for disappointment.
• Consider short-term and long-term goals. Break down your financial goals into short-term and long-term objectives.
• Assess your current financial situation. Reflect on your current financial status, including income, expenses, debt, assets, and savings. Understanding where you stand financially will help you gauge how far you need to go to reach your goals.
• Identify priorities. Rank your financial goals in order of importance. Determine which goals are critical for your financial well-being and which ones can be delayed or deprioritized.
• Seek professional advice. If you find it challenging to assess your financial goals objectively, consider seeking advice from a financial advisor.

2. Learn More About Personal Finance  

Investing in financial education is one of the best decisions you can make. It empowers you with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed financial decisions. When you understand concepts like budgeting, investing, and debt management, it makes it easier to navigate the complexities of personal finance.

There are plenty of resources available to help increase your financial knowledge. Consider exploring books, blogs such as MyScoreIQ, podcasts, and courses specifically tailored to personal finance.

To build a solid foundation in personal finance, you should focus on key topics such as budgeting, investing, and debt management. Here’s why:

• Budgeting helps you track expenses, identify saving opportunities, and prioritize spending.
• Investing can help you grow wealth over time.
• Debt management helps you maintain financial stability

3. Create a Budget

Budgeting is a great tool for managing your finances, helping you to track your income, expenses, and savings. With a budget in place, you can make conscious spending decisions, identify areas for improvement, and work towards your financial goals.

Follow these steps to create a budget:

1. Track your income. Start by calculating your total income, including salary, investments, and other sources.
2. List your expenses. Organize your expenses into categories, distinguishing between fixed expenses like rent and utilities, and variable expenses such as groceries and entertainment.
3. Set saving goals. Allocate a portion of your income towards your savings account and investments.
4. Monitor and adjust. Make it a habit to frequently review your budget, keep a close eye on your expenses, and make any essential adjustments to ensure you remain on the right financial path.

4. Work on Your Credit

Credit health plays an important role in your financial well-being. A good credit score opens doors to better interest rates, loan options, and other financial opportunities. Use MyScoreIQ to monitor your FICO® Score, check your credit report, and receive personalized credit recommendations.

Consider the following strategies to improve and maintain good credit:

• Pay bills on time. Consistently make timely payments on your credit cards, loans, and other debts.
• Keep credit utilization low. Aim to use a small percentage of your available credit to maintain a healthy credit utilization ratio.
• Diversify your credit. Having a mix of different types of credit (credit cards, loans) can positively impact your credit score.
• Minimize new credit applications. Rapidly opening several new credit accounts can have a negative impact on your credit score.

5. Explore Saving and Investing Strategies

Saving and investing are essential for building wealth and achieving financial goals. Let’s take a look at some saving and investing strategies that can help you get ahead:

• Emergency funds. Set aside a dedicated fund to cover unforeseen expenses or financial emergencies.
• Retirement accounts. Explore options like employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), or pension plans to save for retirement.
• Diversified portfolios. Spread your investments across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate) to reduce risk and increase potential returns.

FAQs About National Financial Awareness Day

Are There Any Events or Workshops Held on National Financial Awareness Day?

Many organizations, financial institutions, and community groups may host events, workshops, or webinars on National Financial Awareness Day. These events often focus on financial education, budgeting tips, investment strategies, and other aspects of personal finance. Check with local organizations or financial websites to find events happening in your area.

How Can Schools Participate in National Financial Awareness Day?

Schools can participate in National Financial Awareness Day by incorporating financial literacy lessons into their curriculum. Teachers can organize discussions, activities, or assignments that help students understand basic financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving, and the importance of managing money responsibly.

Is National Financial Awareness Day a Public Holiday?

No, National Financial Awareness Day is not a public holiday. It is an awareness day designated to encourage individuals to take proactive steps toward financial well-being and financial education.

How do we celebrate National Financial Awareness Day?

The best way to celebrate National Financial Awareness Day is to practice good financial habits. You can celebrate by reflecting on your financial goals and assessing your current financial situation. Learn more about personal finance by exploring books, blogs, podcasts, and courses. Create a budget to track your income, expenses, and savings, and make conscious spending decisions. Work on your credit by paying bills on time and keeping credit utilization low. Finally, explore saving and investing strategies to build wealth and achieve financial goals, such as setting up an emergency fund or contributing to retirement accounts.

Is Aug. 14 National Financial Awareness Day?

Yes, Aug. 14 is National Financial Awareness Day. This day is observed to promote financial literacy and encourage people to manage their finances effectively. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of financial planning, budgeting, and saving for the future.

What is Finance Day?

Finance Day, often referred to as National Financial Awareness Day, is dedicated to promoting financial literacy and encouraging individuals to manage their personal finances more effectively. On this day, various activities and initiatives may take place to educate people about important financial topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and financial planning. The goal is to help individuals make informed financial decisions and improve their overall financial health.

What month is Financial Awareness Month?

While National Financial Awareness Day is observed in the month of August, on Aug. 14, National Financial Capability Month is observed every April in the United States to promote financial literacy and awareness. Similar to National Financial Awareness Day, the month-long initiative aims to help individuals improve their financial knowledge and skills, making informed decisions about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt.

Why is National Financial Awareness Day important?

National Financial Awareness Day highlights the need for financial education and planning. It promotes understanding of personal finance topics, helps individuals make informed financial decisions, and encourages them to seek resources and tools for better financial management.

What are the benefits of improving financial literacy?

Improved financial literacy can help lead to better financial decision-making, reduced financial stress, increased savings and investment, improved credit scores, and overall financial stability.

Bottom Line

National Financial Awareness Day is the perfect occasion to start prioritizing your financial well-being and taking steps toward a more secure future. Consider reflecting on your financial goals, creating a budget, working on your credit, and exploring saving and investing strategies. With resources like MyScoreIQ credit report monitoring, you’re well-equipped to work on your financial journey this National Financial Awareness Day!