April is Financial Literacy Month, and it’s the perfect time to take a hard look at your financial situation. No matter what stage of life you’re in, a little financial education can go a long way. Knowing how to manage your finances and make sound financial decisions will help you succeed—whether it’s saving for retirement or getting out of debt. Here are three ways that Financial Literacy Month can help you improve your finances.

Developing a Budget

A budget is essential for taking control of your spending habits and achieving your financial goals. Whether you use an app, spreadsheet, or good old-fashioned pen and paper, creating a budget is the best way to get started on the path to financial freedom. A budget helps you track expenses so that you know where your money is going each month. It also allows you to plan ahead by setting aside money for emergency savings or other important expenses like car repairs or home improvements.

Learning About Investing

Investing can be intimidating if you don’t have any experience with the stock market. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help even the most novice investor get up to speed on the basics of investing. Taking some time during Financial Literacy Month to read up on investing strategies and familiarize yourself with different types of investments can pay off in the long run by helping you grow your wealth over time.

Protecting Your Identity

Identity theft remains one of the most common forms of fraud in America today—and it’s not something that should be taken lightly. During Financial Literacy Month, take some time to educate yourself on how to protect yourself from identity theft by safeguarding personal information and monitoring credit reports for unusual activity. Also consider signing up for an identity protection service that monitors credit reports, alerts users when suspicious activity occurs, and provides legal assistance in case of potential fraud or theft.

This Financial Literacy Month, take advantage of all the opportunities available for learning about personal finance topics like budgeting, investing, and identity protection. With a little bit of knowledge under your belt, you can feel confident about making smart decisions with your money—now and into the future!