April is Financial Literacy Month, and this year we're encouraging you to share the wealth for a chance to win big!

One in four Americans has more credit card debt than emergency savings, according to a new poll by Bankrate.com.

 Studies showthat 21 percent of Americans — 38 percent of those with incomes less than $25,000 — think that winning the lottery represents the most practical way for them to accumulate several hundred thousand dollars.

According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), 64 percent of Americans would have to go into debt or sell off possessions to cover a $1,000 emergency, due to lack of savings.

It’s startling numbers like these that inspired America Saves Week, a national campaign aimed to encourage individuals and families to build wealth by saving money. Because most Americans today are not saving adequately for retirement, and most lower-income households do not have adequate emergency savings for unexpected expenditures, the message accompanying this national movement is needed now more than ever.

It’s no secret that tough economic times can make saving difficult, which is why America Saves Week 2012, running Feb. 19 to Feb. 26, is focused on a simple set of instructions that – if followed – can make anyone a successful saver. The instructions may sound basic, but they are the foundation for financial success: Set a goal. Make a plan. Save automatically.

• Set a Goal. You can save more by having a goal in mind. Visualizing what you want to save for gives your savings a purpose. You may be tempted to withdraw from your savings if it has no purpose. But once you have a goal in place, you know that taking money out of your savings is taking away from that ultimate goal. So, what are you saving for?
• Make a Plan. Once you have your goal in place, make a plan of how you are going to save. To start, cut down on your spending and reduce high-cost debt. Next, keep track of what you spend and make a budget. Once you know where your money is going each month, you can cut down on unneeded spending and save the difference. Don’t forget to keep your savings safe, secure, and growing. Banks, credit unions and even the government offer a variety of financial products that can help you save.
• Save Automatically. It can be hard to put aside money for savings. But there is an easy way to save money without ever missing it. Once you know how much you can save, make saving automatic. Many employers allow you to divide your paycheck into different accounts through direct deposit. Take advantage by putting part of your pay into a savings account. If you get paid in cash, take a small amount to the bank to deposit into a savings account each week.

Knowing what you want to save for, how to achieve it and then making the savings process automatic will allow you to reach your savings goal. Visit AmericaSaves.org to find more information about America Saves Week. There, you can find savings strategies and you can take the pledge to become an American Saver.

If you’re planning to throw a game-watching party Feb. 5, as the New York Giants face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, you’re not alone. According to Bloomberg News, an estimated 34.9 million Americans threw Super Bowl parties in 2011, and 61.2 million people attended a Super Bowl party.

So whether you’re hosting a large group of people or you’re having an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family, the following are a few tips to ensure you score big without spending big bucks.

• Set a budget and stick to it. The best thing about a Super Bowl party is that it doesn’t require a lot of planning in the way of entertainment and decorations – as long as you own a TV. So when you are determining your budget the only things you really need to account for are food, drinks and plenty of napkins. So once you determine how much you can – and are willing – to spend, stick to it!
• Make your own pizza and wings. Let’s face it, pizza and hot wings are a staple on Super Bowl Sunday. In fact, according to the Huffington Post, Americans are expected to consume 1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday alone. While there are sure to be plenty of deals on take-out pizza and wings on the big day, you may be able to save money by making the items yourself. Download our free Cheap Eats eBook for a great, inexpensive pizza recipe. And if you’re planning on serving wings, it’s a great time to break out the slow-cooker. You can prepare them ahead of time and keep them warm throughout the entire game.
• Avoid pre-made snack trays. You know those convenient trays full of high-priced fruits and veggies at the grocery store? You can create the same spread for a fraction of the price if you’re willing to take a few extra minutes to cut up the veggies yourself. The same goes for those meat and cheese appetizer trays. You would be shocked at the mark-up on these products compared with the cost of making it yourself. You could avoid the cost of appetizers altogether by making your Super Bowl party a potluck. Simply have each guest bring an appetizer or dessert to share with the group.
• Make it BYOB. The biggest cost you will incur for the big game is bound to be alcohol, if you’re planning on serving it. One of the easiest ways to cut back on this cost is to make your party a BYOB. Make it fun and have everyone bring their favorite beer or wine to share with everyone, or simply say you’ll supply the first round, but if your guests plan to drink they should bring their own. Have a few two-liter bottles of soda handy for those who don’t plan on partaking in alcoholic beverages. The two-liter bottles cost a lot less than cans, and if you stick with store-brand soda you can save even more.
• Use real dishes and flatware. While disposable dishes are more convenient, you are literally throwing way money at the end of the night. Why not save the money and use your own dishes and flatware? If you don’t have enough, you can always borrow some place settings from family and friends.

Remember not to stress too much over the details. Sit back and enjoy yourself — it is a party afterall. And even if your team doesn't win, at least you'll know you've won big by pulling off a bash without breaking the bank. So start practicing your endzone dance now!

Since completing my debt management program I have found that I can breathe again. Before debt management, my husband and I were so stressed over our inability to pay our bills that it not only affected our credit it affected every part of our lives.

When it comes to weddings, you frequently hear how expensive it can be to have one, but no one ever discusses how much it costs to attend one.

Hosting a book swap is simple, fun, and frugal.

As Father’s Day approaches, we are reminded that dads are as often as not, charged with the task of teaching the children how to handle money responsibly.

Money Management International is a Member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) whose 2010 Financial Literacy Survey addressed the topic of where consumers learned the most about personal finance. The majority of respondents, 41 percent, said they learned their personal finance skills from their parents or at home. On the surface, that seems like a fine place for children to learn about money. However, another survey question allowed respondents to grade themselves on their own knowledge of financial literacy. Thirty-four percent, or nearly 77 million people, gave themselves a grade of C, D or F, leading to the conclusion that those in charge of the financial decisions at home may be in need of some additional financial education themselves.

A person can’t teach what he or she doesn’t know. We’re living in a time where an abundance of personal finance courses, books and other tools are available, meaning that dads (and moms) can take advantage of the opportunities to not only improve their grasp of financial literacy, but also positively impact their children.

It has long been known that children mimic their parents’ attitudes and habits. That means that adults need to not only teach, but also demonstrate sound personal finance habits through their lifestyle. Look at the following checklist to see if your behavior reflects what you want to be teaching your children about money.

Is there an emphasis on saving? Americans are really good spenders, but rotten savers. A robust savings account is a safety net that provides protection against the unplanned expense, the emergency, or a loss of income. Making saving an important element of your financial planning shows your children that you place a priority on preparing for the future.

Are you financially organized? Are you getting late notices not because you couldn’t afford to pay the bill, but because you forgot to pay it? Robbing Peter to pay Paul because due dates don’t coincide with paydays? Putting all of your financial papers in one place and reviewing them weekly will give you a sense of control over your finances and teach the children a valuable lesson.

Are there arguments in the home over money? Even if you try to hide it, if there’s tension in the home when money is discussed, the children will sense it.  Money then becomes a scary subject to them, one to be avoided. They will likely carry this fear into adulthood, potentially causing problems when they have to deal with financial decisions within their own marriage.

Do you hide purchases? Remember, your children were probably with you when you made the purchase, as well as when you locked it in the trunk of the car so that your spouse wouldn’t see it. This is not teaching appropriate behavior on many levels.

Do you avoid answering the phone or opening the mail, fearing more communication with debt collectors? Your family will realize that something strange is going on, plus you won’t be able to dodge the collectors forever. It’s always better to deal with the problem rather than run from it, as delaying action only makes the situation harder to resolve.

Do you involve your family in financial decisions? Doing so provides ample opportunities to teach positive principles about money. Bring the children in on the decisions that affect them, things such as which cable package to buy, or how many pizzas should be ordered each month. Have a full discussion around the benefits of the decision, including what else could be done with the money saved.

Are you a generous giver? The children will observe you supporting the local little league team, charities, or the homeless. The gift of giving which starts at a young age will likely stay with the child for a lifetime.

The home is filled with teachable moments around money. Knowing that you children will likely follow the financial examples you’ve set is a strong encouragement to get your financial ducks in a row.