In search of solutions to this problem, of course, couples can talk through the money issues, seek out the advice of a professional advisor/counselor or attend finance classes. The financial health of a marriage can be improved if couples can better understand and respect each other’s unique financial values. It might help them to use tools like the National Endowment for Financial Education’s “LifeValues Quiz.”
2. Financial education helps a society because it helps people meet their basic needs.
When people cannot take care of themselves—stay within their budgets, take care of the basic necessities—eventually that becomes a societal problem.
Without proper financial guidance, people often spend money on wants more than needs. They should be prioritizing expenses on food, housing, clothing and transportation, keeping those expenses within the boundaries of their household income.
If they can’t, they might well go to outside agencies, such as welfare services, for help to meet basic needs. Thankfully, nearly every community has safety nets to make sure human needs are being met. But unfortunately, some families can fall between the cracks and suffer dire circumstances.
When families adhere to a healthy budget process balancing their needs and wants with their household income, they will make fewer demands on government agencies and nonprofits.
Many low-income families do a remarkable job of stretching their budget dollars, but then they risk huge strain if they lose their jobs, run into health issues or face mechanical breakdowns. A recent study funded by the National Endowment for Financial Education finds that one in three Americans is financially fragile, meaning unable to cope with emergency expenses in a short time frame. Researchers investigated the causes of financial fragility and found three main problems: when people incur high debt, lack assets or suffer from a lack of financial literacy.
It’s essential for people to build emergency funds. Four in 10 adults cannot cover a $400 emergency event, according to a Federal Reserve report, and 61% of Americans don’t have enough cash saved to cover a $1,000 emergency. Without emergency funds, people sometimes seek help from government agencies or nonprofits to get through their financial hardships.
With proper financial planning, people can survive on their own, thus reducing strain on our outside support systems. Many people may struggle to reach the six-month emergency fund savings benchmark, but starting small and making progress toward that goal is a respectable beginning step.
3. Financial education reduces crime.