Financial Literacy All Year Long: Your Monthly Guide to Smarter Money Moves

Take Control of Your Money, One Month at a Time

April is Financial Literacy Month—a perfect time to take charge of your money and build habits that last all year. Managing your finances can feel overwhelming when you're trying to keep track of everything all at once. Bills, savings goals, insurance renewals, taxes, and retirement planning all compete for your attention—often at the worst possible time. That’s where a personal finance calendar comes in.

By breaking your financial tasks into monthly check-ins, you can stay organized, reduce stress, and make more informed decisions. Think of it as a money maintenance schedule: just like you’d change the oil in your car or schedule a health check-up, your finances need regular care, too.

Each month brings its own opportunities and deadlines. Some are predictable—like tax season in April or open enrollment in October—while others are perfect reminders to revisit your goals, update your budget, or reassess your progress. A month-by-month approach helps you stay proactive instead of reactive, turning big financial goals into manageable steps.

Here’s a simple, actionable timeline to help you build your own personal finance calendar—plus a little monthly motivation to keep things fun.

Kick off the year with fresh financial goals and a solid plan.

• Review and Set Financial Goals: Assess your financial health by creating or updating your cash flow statement and net worth. Set clear, achievable financial goals for the year.

• Retirement Contributions: Evaluate your contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs. If possible, increase contributions to take full advantage of employer matches and consider catch-up contributions if you're over 50.

• Portfolio Rebalancing: Review your investment portfolio to ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and time horizon. Rebalance if necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation.

Did you know that our database, Value Line Research Center, can help you with portfolio rebalancing? As the year kicks off, it’s the perfect time to check in on your investments and make adjustments. With Value Line, you get access to in-depth analysis, performance data, and expert commentary to help you rebalance your portfolio with confidence.

✅ Assess your current holdings: Use Value Line’s detailed reports to evaluate how each stock or fund is performing.
✅ Identify opportunities for adjustment: Spot over- or under-weighted sectors and rebalance to match your risk tolerance and goals.
✅ Explore new investment ideas: Browse analyst picks and top-ranked stocks across industries and strategies.
✅ Stay informed: Read weekly market updates and expert analysis to support smart, timely decisions.

Show your finances some love—organize documents and prep for tax season.

• Organize Tax Documents: Gather all necessary documents for tax filing, including W-2s, 1099s, and records of deductible expenses.​

• Contribute to HSAs & IRAs: Make any final contributions to your IRA for the previous tax year before the April 15th deadline. The limit for HSA contributions in 2024 is $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for family coverage. The contribution limit for IRAs in 2024 is $7,000 ($8,000 if you’re 50 or older).

Time to tackle debt and boost your credit score.

• Review Credit Report: Obtain a free copy of your credit report and check for accuracy. Dispute any errors to maintain a healthy credit score.​

• Debt Reduction Plan: Focus on paying down high-interest debts. Consider strategies like the debt avalanche (paying off highest interest debts first) or debt snowball (paying off smallest debts first) methods.

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File, finalize, and maybe even get a refund.

• File Taxes: Submit your federal and state tax returns by the April 15 deadline. If unable to file on time, request an extension to avoid penalties.​

• Adjust Withholding: If you received a large refund or owed a significant amount, adjust your W-4 form to better align with your tax liability.

• Check your refund status: If you paid more through the year than you owe in tax, you may get money back. Even if you didn't pay tax, you may still get a refund if you qualify for a refundable credit. To get your refund, you must file a return. You have 3 years to claim a tax refund.

Review your insurance to protect what you’ve built.

• Review Insurance Policies: Evaluate your health, auto, home, and life insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage. Shop around for better rates or coverage if necessary.​

• Check Your Beneficiaries: Review and update the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance, retirement accounts, and other policies to ensure they reflect your current wishes.

Pause and reflect—how are those financial goals coming along?

• Assess Financial Progress: Review your budget and financial goals set in January. Make adjustments to spending or saving habits as needed to stay on track.

As you take stock of your financial progress and set goals for the months ahead, it's also a great time to sharpen your money mindset. Here are some standout personal finance reads to inspire your next money move:

List created by CCPL_Database

April is Financial Literacy Month—a great time to take charge of your money goals, whether you're just starting out or fine-tuning your finances. This book list offers smart, accessible reads on everything from budgeting and saving to investing and debt management. Whether you're planning month-to-month or thinking long-term, these books can help you build confidence and make informed decisions about your financial future.

View Full List

Celebrate independence with a well-stocked emergency fund.

• Evaluate Emergency Savings: Ensure you have an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of living expenses. If not, create a plan to build this safety net.​

• Automate Your Savings: Set up automatic transfers to your emergency fund each payday to build your savings consistently without having to think about it.

Feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start? You can take free money management classes online with our database, Gale Courses! Whether you're building a budget, tackling debt, or planning for retirement, Gale Courses offers instructor-led classes that help you take control of your finances—at your own pace and on your own schedule. All you need is a library card to enroll!

Sign up by April 16 to start your next class:

✅ Learn from real instructors: Each course is led by an experienced educator who offers guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
✅ Get practical, real-world advice: Topics range from budgeting basics to investing strategies and financial planning.
✅ Study on your schedule: New sessions begin monthly and run for six weeks, with flexible access to lessons and assignments.

Plan for educational expenses and refresh your spending strategy.

• Plan for Educational Costs: If you or your children are attending school, prepare for upcoming tuition payments or other educational expenses. Consider contributing to a 529 college savings plan.

Did you know that our database, Morningstar Investing Center, can help you research and manage a 529 college savings plan? Whether you're planning for your child’s future or your own continuing education, Morningstar provides the tools you need to make informed decisions. With your library card, you can access expert analysis and rankings on hundreds of 529 plans—all in one place.

✅ Compare 529 plans nationwide: See side-by-side comparisons of fees, performance, and investment options.
✅ Get expert ratings and insights: Use Morningstar’s trusted research to find high-quality plans that align with your goals.
✅ Track your plan’s performance: Monitor how your 529 is doing over time with easy-to-read charts and data.
✅ Learn the basics and beyond: Access educational content to understand how 529 plans work and how to maximize tax benefits.

Fine-tune your nest egg before year-end.

• Increase Retirement Contributions: If possible, boost your retirement account contributions to maximize tax-advantaged savings before the end of the year.​

• Make Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): If you’re 73 or older, don’t forget to withdraw your RMDs from retirement accounts to avoid penalties.
  

Make the most of open enrollment—and scare off wasteful spending.

• Review Employer Benefits: During open enrollment, assess your employer-provided benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. Make necessary changes to align with your current needs.

Did you know that our database, Weiss Financial Ratings, has a Medigap Insurance Planner? This free, personalized tool helps take the guesswork out of choosing Medicare Supplement Insurance. Just enter your name, age, gender, and zip code to receive an 80+ page Buyer’s Guide and Cost Calculator—customized just for you and available for immediate download.

✅ Understand your Medicare coverage: Learn what Medicare does and doesn’t cover so you know where you may need additional protection.
✅ Compare plans and rates: See which Medigap plans are available in your area and which insurers offer the most competitive rates.
✅ Get personalized recommendations: The planner guides you step-by-step to help match your needs with the right plan options.
✅ Connect with trusted providers: Find authorized agents and top-rated insurers in your area to make informed choices with confidence.

Plan charitable giving and harvest tax savings.

• Tax-Loss Harvesting: Consider selling underperforming investments to offset capital gains and reduce taxable income.

• Charitable Contributions: Plan any charitable donations to qualify for tax deductions.

Stretch your giving power with our database, Guidestar. Research nonprofits, confirm their impact, and make sure your donation supports causes that reflect your values.

✅ Research Nonprofits: Access profiles of thousands of nonprofits to see their mission, programs, and impact.
✅ Make Informed Choices: Review financials, ratings, and transparency levels before you give.
✅ Support Causes You Care About: Filter by location, category, or issue to find the perfect match for your generosity. 

Tie a bow on your financial year and set goals for the next.

• Review Spending: Analyze your spending habits over the year and identify areas for improvement.​

• Set Goals for Next Year: Begin outlining financial goals and strategies for the upcoming year.

Did you know that your library card gives you free access to ConsumerReports.org? When shopping for the holiday season, this trusted resource can help you shop smarter, save money, and make informed choices on everything from electronics to kitchen gadgets. With expert reviews, product comparisons, and buying guides, you can feel confident about every purchase—without blowing your budget.

✅ Find the best-rated gifts: Access unbiased product reviews and top picks in every category—from tech toys to home appliances.
✅ Compare prices before you buy: Use side-by-side comparisons to find the best value for your money.
✅ Avoid holiday gimmicks: Learn which features matter most and which products aren’t worth the hype.
✅ Shop with confidence: Get trusted buying advice backed by decades of research and consumer advocacy.

Want to dive deeper into budgeting, saving, and smart money habits?

Visit our Personal Finance resource guide for trusted information to help you take control of your financial future.

References

Investopedia. “2025 Personal Finance Calendar.” https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance-calendar-5092591

NerdWallet. “Tax Day 2025: A Guide to This Year’s Tax Deadlines,” April 1, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/tax-deadline-tax-day-taxes-due.