Financial Literacy Month

Today is the best day to start a new habit and a great way to celebrate Financial Literacy month. Most people do not enjoy discussing money matters or completing the endless tasks that accompany monthly budgeting. It’s easy to fall off the rails, but it can be even easier to get back on track with resources from your library.

Jessie Susannah Karnatz wants you to financially thrive in a holistic way with “Money Magic: Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances” (332.024 Kar). She insists understanding your emotional connection to money can help you overcome challenges and intentionally move your whole life, not just your money, to a sound well-rounded place. You can create your own money management system and complete a simple 12 step process in “The One Week Budget: Learn to Create Your Money Management System in 7 Days or Less!” (332.024 Ali) by Tiffany Aliche. This quick read includes easy to copy forms.

Joline Godfrey believes we shouldn’t shelter children from the harsh realities of the financial world because self-sufficient children are less vulnerable and better prepared for a successful adult life. Her book “Raising Financially Fit Kids” (332.024 God) makes teaching core concepts easy and provides insight for financial education, sustainability, and wise gifting by age group.

If you feel you have fallen into a moneyless pit, climb back out by repairing your credit and get what you deserve. Consider checking out the “Credit Repair Kit for Dummies” (332.743 Bar) by Melyssa Barrett, or Amy Loftsgordon’s “Credit Repair: Make a Plan, Improve Your Credit, Avoid Scams” (332.743 Loftsgordon). Both of these books include directions to access printable forms and helpful video on their websites.

Are you looking to make the transition into retirement? Michele Cagan believes knowing the rules can help you decide the best time to retire based on your life. “Retirement 101: From 401(k) Plans and Social Security Benefits to Asset Management and Medical Insurance, Your Complete Guide to Preparing for the Future You Want” (332.024014 Cagan) can help you determine how to build your nest egg while dealing with our roller coaster economy.

Have a great idea? Turn it into a thriving business or side job with “The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business” (658.11 Ste) by Martha Stewart. Most people do not know that Stewart began her first business at 10 years old planning and hosting children’s birthday parties. She began her second career as a model at age 13 and used these funds to pay for college. Stewart provides practical, down to earth advice for anyone interested in starting a business.

Looking for a little inspiration? Learn how an amazing woman named Sarah Breedlove, an orphaned daughter of slaves, climbed the financial ladder to become one of the wealthiest black women of her time. “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker” (921Walker, C.J.) written by her great-great granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles exposes the truth of becoming Madam C.J. Walker through her family’s historical records.

Ask a librarian to help you find these books or other resources at your next visit. Checkout our website to search our catalog, to learn how to acquire a library card, or for more information about our upcoming programs and events. You may also access our Digital Resources, such as Libby or the Local History Database by visiting our website’s Resources page anytime.