Mark Hunter - Financial Educator

Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom. Let's honor those who have laid down their lives in service to our nation. May their legacy inspire us to strive for a better future.

189 years ago was before the Civil War, before the telephone, before electric lightbulbs, before cars, and before airplanes. That’s about how long it would take money to double at a tiny savings rate like 0.38% using the Rule of 72.

Is your money growing on a timeline from the 1800s? If you’re not sure, maybe it’s time to find out.

A mother's arms are more comforting than any others.

Sending warm wishes to all the moms making a difference. 🌼

🔥💰 Take the Financial Literacy Quiz & Put Your Money Knowledge to the Test! 💰🔥

Are you a financial genius, beginner, or somewhere in between? Find out now! Take the Financial Literacy Quiz now at 👉 TakeTheFLQ.com/markhunter 👈 and see how you stack up!

✅ Crush it? Shout “LET’S GOOO!” 🏆
❌ Missed a few? No worries—now you know what to work on!

Financial literacy is the gateway to financial wellbeing, security, and independence. Knowing where you stand is just the beginning of your journey to financial freedom. Take the quiz today and level up your money game! 🚀

Financial literacy is not just about numbers.
It is about peace.

Less guessing.
Less fear.
Less avoidable stress.
More confidence.
More direction.
More control.

And right now, America needs more of that. With 88% reporting financial stress as 2026 began, this is the moment to stop winging it and start learning it.

That is what financial literacy is really about.



NEFE Quarter 4 Survey Report 2025

Getting financially literate isn't just promising yourself you will “do better with money.”

Learn better.
Think better.
Understand better.

Because when people understand how money really works, they make better decisions with debt, savings, protection, and long-term planning.

That is the real goal.
Not guilt.
Not pressure.
Just progress.

Transportation costs. Home repairs. Medical bills. Income loss.

Those were among the biggest financial setbacks households faced in 2025.

Life is expensive enough without financial confusion making it worse.

Financial literacy is not about becoming a Wall Street expert.
It is about being better prepared for real life.

Financial stress does not always look dramatic.

Sometimes it looks like:
Putting off a conversation
Avoiding the numbers
Hoping next month feels better
Using debt to solve short-term pressure

A survey found that 38% say their current financial life is worse than they expected.

That is why financial literacy matters.
Because financial literacy gives people language, direction, and a plan.

One of the biggest lies in America is this:

“If I make decent money, I should automatically be fine.”

But data shows that month-end surplus is far from guaranteed. Only 20% said they have money left over every month, while many said that happens only some months, rarely, or never.

Income matters.
But structure matters too.
How money works matters even more.



NEFE Quarter 4 Survey Report 2025

Here is something worth paying attention to:

The top New Year’s money goals for 2026 were
1. paying down debt
2. following a budget
3. improving credit

That means people are not asking for more noise.
They are looking for basics that actually work.

Budgeting is not punishment.
Credit is not just a score.
Debt freedom is not a dream.
It starts with understanding.

If a $2,000 emergency would throw your whole life off course, you are not alone.

Only 36% of adults said they were certain they could cover an unexpected $2,000 expense. Many said they would turn to credit cards, emergency savings, cash, family, selling things they own, or even Buy Now Pay Later.

That is exactly why emergency preparedness is not optional.
Financial literacy helps people prepare before the pressure arrives.



NEFE Quarter 4 Survey Report 2025