Can you add?

Can you add, subtract, multiply, and divide?

This is a serious question, and it has powerful implications for both your financial literacy and the economy as a whole. In an age where information is available at the tips of our fingers at every second of every day, the ability to gather information is no longer enough. The ability, and capability to leverage this information is what will set successful individuals and organizations apart in the years moving forward. Finance and financial news dominate the news in ways that arguably have never been seen before.

1) The Federal Reserve news releases make front page headlines
2) Discussion of 401(k) vs. Roth IRA’s are commonplace
3) People are more worried about real estate than any time in the last 20 years
4) The federal debt, state debt, and individual debt are daily conversation topics

With all of these conversations, debates, and arguments swirling around us on a daily basis, it is becoming readily apparent that have a strong financial base is key. According to a financial literacy study released last week, American teenagers (the future of the U.S. economy) rank in the middle of the pack with regards to financial literacy measures. New Zealand, Australia, and China are all high-profile nations (and trading partners) that ranked significantly higher than U.S. participants.

So the question is – are you financially literate?

If not, what are you going to do about it?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101820228