Let’s talk about something that might not sound as thrilling as a spring getaway or as tasty as brunch with friends—but could actually be the most important thing you do this season: getting smart with your money.
April is National Financial Literacy Month, and while that may not get you as hyped as your Spotify Wrapped or the next Taylor Swift album drop, it’s arguably more life-changing. Why? Because money touches every part of your life—whether you like it or not.
“Money touches every part of your life—yet too many people are flying blind when it comes to managing it. That’s because so many Americans are financially illiterate,” says George Kailas, CEO at Prospero.ai, an AI-powered investing app. “The financial world is full of sharks and if you can’t understand the language of money, you’re at the mercy of those who do.”
And he’s right. From credit cards and student loans to Venmo requests and investing in your first ETF, we live in a world where financial decisions are constant. But most Americans weren’t taught how to make those decisions wisely. Schools rarely touch on compound interest, APRs, or how credit scores actually work. So people grow up guessing, winging it, or worse—trusting TikTok influencers to explain Roth IRAs.
Financial literacy isn’t about becoming the next Warren Buffett. As Kailas puts it, “Financial literacy is conflated with getting rich when in reality, it’s about staying out of debt, making smart decisions, and securing your future. The difference between financial stress and financial freedom isn’t how much you make—it’s how well you understand what to do with it.”
That’s the part many of us get wrong. We think, “If I just made more money, things would be fine.” But in truth, earning more without understanding how to manage your finances is like filling a bucket with holes. You need the basics—the real basics—to plug the leaks first.
So, where do you begin? Kailas has three simple starting points anyone can use to build financial literacy from the ground up:
1. Master the Basics
Before you get into the weeds of investing apps or stock picks, you need to know your numbers. That means budgeting, saving, debt management, and understanding how compound interest works (hint: it’s your best friend if you use it right and your worst enemy if you don’t). Books like The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel offer relatable insights without all the jargon. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has great free tools online.
2. Understand Credit and Debt
If money is the language of the economy, then credit is the accent that can make or break how seriously you’re taken. Your credit score can affect everything from your ability to rent an apartment to the interest rate on your car loan. Learn how to use credit cards strategically (yes, you can use them and still be smart), pay more than the minimum, and avoid predatory loans.
3. Start Investing Early
This doesn’t mean going all-in on crypto after seeing a meme. It means learning the difference between a Roth IRA and a 401(k), understanding what an index fund is, and realizing that even small, consistent investments now can snowball into serious gains later. You don’t need to be rich to invest—but if you invest wisely, it’s one way to build real wealth over time.
And here’s the kicker: You don’t have to do it alone. Apps like Prospero.ai are using AI to help everyday people make better financial decisions by analyzing data, highlighting market trends, and keeping emotion out of the process. No guessing. No FOMO. Just data-backed insights.
Financial literacy isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about control. It’s about being able to make choices, say yes to opportunities, and sleep at night knowing you have a plan. So if you’re wondering what to do this month that your future self will thank you for? Open that budgeting app. Read that money book. Finally figure out what an ETF is.
Because this April, it’s time to spring clean your finances—and take back control of your future.
