I'm not sure whether it was intentional or merely a coincidence that several years ago Congress proclaimed April to be Financial Literacy Month. Don't let another April pass without taking steps to improve your financial literacy.

Unfortunately, finances are one of the biggest sources of marital tension. But it doesn't have to be that way. Want to get your marriage off on the right financial footing?

In 1963, Mary Kay Ash was passed over for a promotion by a man she had trained. Frustrated, she quit and made a list of everything that was wrong with company.

"I don't make enough money to save." This statement is arguably the most powerful statement an individual can make as it relates to their finances. The one who makes a statement such as this has already thrown up the white flag in their quest to move forward economically.

Have you ever stopped to consider how much money you spend on alcohol throughout the week? Obviously, if you don't drink, you're ahead of the game. However, even infrequent drinking can have a significant, long-term financial impact.

Unexpected expenses are almost a guaranteed way to make sure that a person or family breaks their budget. There are ways to make sure that things such as a higher tax bill, car repair, or unexpected trip do not ruin you or your family financially.

Look at your income and expense line by line. Where can you make adjustments?

To further highlight a looming problem, fewer families report having saved in the past year, and median net worth (adjusted for inflation) has declined since 2007, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances. How can we as consumers turn things around?