Managing personal finances is a crucial but difficult issue. Many writers are concerned about whether or not Americans are prepared to handle their finances as personal debt and bankruptcies grow. While some educators believe that financial education can improve a family's financial security, others question the effectiveness of such programs. The study reported here examined the results of Money 2000™ and its ability to influence behavior and financial preparedness. Participants made greater use of banks and less use of loan and check cashing services, increased savings, and decreased debt. The data supports financial literacy training as enhancing financial well-being.
Osteen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.