Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

The term "literacy" covers more than just the basic ability to read and write. This concept has evolved to cover a broad continuum of skills people need in their lives. Many adults and children struggle with literacy in its various forms, as they navigate the increasingly complex worlds of health care, finance, and technology. Their needs are difficult to quantify, especially when it comes to adult literacy. But Wisconsinites can turn to many resources and organizations to empower themselves through enhanced literacy skills.

Four Strategies That Can Help Build Financial Happiness

Karen Faster

WisContext

Four financial strategies can help people use their money to balance their needs with enjoyment of their lives, UW-Extension senior outreach specialist Peggy Olive said in an Aug. 5, 2015, talk at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Financial Literacy Poses Lifelong Challenges

Karen Faster

WisContext

In the best of worlds, people never stop improving their ability to make smart financial choices. It's a lifelong endeavor, with the financial decisions people face changing as they age and circumstances shift.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Financial Capability Can Help People From Variety Of Economic Backgrounds

Karen Faster

WisContext

With financial literacy skills, people of all income levels can act — or not — to build their financial capability. They can create and manage a household budget, save money toward goals like buying a house or retirement, or even start a business. Lower- and middle-income families can use financial literacy to increase their overall security.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

K-12 Schools Are A Growing Arena For Financial Education

Karen Faster

WisContext

Around the United States, elementary and secondary schools are seen as appropriate venues for teaching financial literacy and helping students gain skills to reach goals and achieve financial well-being.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Credit Monitoring Is Essential To Financial Security

Peggy Olive

UW-Extension

Although many people use "credit report" and "credit score" interchangeably, the two are not the same.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Coaching Can Help Families Strengthen Financial Security

J. Michael Collins

UW-Extension

Financial coaching is a way to help families take steps that are right for them to increase their financial well-being and security.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Pink Slimed: The Beef Industry Learns The Importance Of Social Media Literacy

Kristin Runge

UW-Extension

This is a cautionary tale about the importance of social media literacy, involving a company with a limited online profile, the hot-button issue of "pink slime" and a contingent of interested citizens with active social media accounts.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Turning Off The Budget Autopilot To Ease Household Finances

Peggy Olive

UW-Extension

People who feel their paychecks are not keeping up with everyday expenses may be right — median household income is down for many families across Wisconsin.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Overcoming the 'Eye-Glazing' Factor In Making Financial Decisions

Scott Gordon

WisContext

Financial literacy researchers have no shortage of recommendations on how people should handle their money, how families can learn more about their finances, and how a crisis can encourage new ways of thinking about these issues.

Series: Literacy In Wisconsin

Wisconsinites Know More Than They Think About Financial Issues

J. Michael Collins

UW-Extension

As a whole, Wisconsin residents have higher levels of financial literacy, improving levels of financial capability and, at least in some areas, better financial behaviors, compared to the rest of the U.S. However, it also appears people in the state may not be aware of their own knowledge.