Saving for the future is one of the most powerful acts of self-care and foresight a person can make. It’s not just about having money for later—it’s about building the freedom to make meaningful choices throughout life. When savings grow, opportunities grow: the ability to pivot careers, support loved ones, travel, or simply enjoy peace of mind knowing the future is secure. This is core to the Age Brilliantly mindset—planning for a 100-year life where financial health supports the other essentials of a fulfilling existence: relationships, purpose, continuous learning, and well-being.

And yet, despite Americans saving a remarkable$12.2 trillion in retirement accounts, too many people treat these accounts as short-term cash reserves rather than long-term security. Instead of letting money compound for decades, more individuals are withdrawing funds early—often for non-emergency expenses—and never replenishing them. Over time, this leaves far less for retirement and undermines the possibility of living vibrantly later in life.

Why Are People Raiding Retirement Accounts?

One key reason is lack of financial literacy. Many people were never taught foundational skills like budgeting, building emergency funds, or understanding how compound growth works. Without this knowledge, retirement accounts are misused—seen as accessible savings rather than investments intended to be left untouched. The result? Financial stress decades later when people discover they have far less than they expected.

Addressing this gap isn’t about judgment; it’s about providing practical education. By learning simple principles—how to separate short-term and long-term savings, why consistent contributions matter, and how to prepare for emergencies—people can avoid costly mistakes and build true financial resilience.

Building Financial Literacy: 10 Accessible Resources

Here are ten reliable, free or low-cost resources to help anyone gain the financial basics needed to safeguard their future:

1. MyMoney.gov – A U.S. government hub with guides on budgeting, saving, credit, and retirement.
2. FDIC Money Smart – Free courses and toolkits covering everything from banking to managing debt.
3. National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) – Nonprofit resources for building lifelong financial habits.
4. Khan Academy Personal Finance – Video lessons on saving, investing, and managing credit.
5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – Guidance on emergency savings, retirement, and major life decisions.
6. Smart About Money – Free self-paced courses on budgeting, saving, and financial planning.
7. Investopedia Financial Literacy – Definitions and tutorials that simplify investing and personal finance terms.
8. ChooseFI – A podcast and community focused on financial independence and FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early).
9. Dave Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance – Basic budgeting and saving tools popular in schools and communities.
10. Bogleheads.org – A community dedicated to low-cost, long-term investing strategies using index funds.

Why Financial Literacy Matters More Than Ever

Financial literacy isn’t just about avoiding hardship—it’s about creating freedom. A well-funded emergency account prevents panic withdrawals from retirement funds. Understanding compound growth motivates consistent contributions that snowball over decades. These habits ensure not just financial stability, but the ability to live intentionally—choosing work, relationships, and experiences that align with deeper purpose rather than financial desperation.

Saving isn’t about deprivation; it’s about designing a life where your future self thrives because your present self planned ahead.

Join the Conversation

Have you ever tapped into your retirement savings early? What financial habits would you teach your younger self? Which tools or communities helped you learn the basics?

Share your thoughts in theAge Brilliantly Forum. By learning together and sharing resources, we can help every generation build not just savings accounts—but fulfilling, 100-year lives supported by financial confidence.