Being financially literate means having the knowledge and confidence to efficiently and effectively manage, save and invest money for you and your family. This can include everything from getting out of debt, budgeting, insurance, investments, real estate, college and retirement planning to and tax and estate planning.

We all have different levels of financial literacy. Maybe you have a 401(k) but aren’t sure how else to plan for retirement. Maybe you’re wondering whether you should use a windfall to pay off your mortgage or pad the college fund. Or, perhaps, thinking much about money beyond the day-to-day makes you want to bury your head in the sand!

Wherever you are on your financial journey, here are six ways to increase your financial literacy and help put your money to work for you and your family:

1. Subscribe to financial newsletters.
   For free financial news in your inbox, try subscribing to financial newsletters from trusted sources. And if you’re not already a subscriber, you can subscribe to Athene’s Smart Strategies, designed to help you take your financial journey to the next level with expert advice on finances and lifestyle.
2. Listen to financial podcasts.
   Podcasts can be a great way to soak up financial news while you do housework, run errands or walk the dog. For ideas, check out Best Personal Finance Podcasts to Listen To from U.S. News and World Report.
3. Read personal finance books.
   Learning about personal finance is important at just about every stage in life. The Best Personal Finance Books For All Ages list offers recommendations.
4. Use social media.
   Use your favorite social media channels to follow financial experts on Twitter or LinkedIn, or maybe join a personal finance Facebook group.
5. Start keeping a budget.
   All of the financial guidance from experts won’t mean much if you don’t know where your money is going every month. Start tracking your spending and set up a budget using a simple spreadsheet or website apps.
6. Talk to a financial professional.
   A financial professional can answer your financial questions, whether it is about the basic day-to-day money situations or more complex long-term scenarios. He or she can also assess your current situation, help you make a plan for all of your financial needs and help you stay on track going forward.

Whatever your level of financial literacy, it’s important to keep your knowledge base growing. Any step you take toward getting a better handle on your financial situation is a step in the right direction. The key is to just start! Knowledge is power and can help you make more wise and confident financial decisions.

This information is brought to you by Athene — where unconventional thinking brings innovative annuity solutions that can help make your retirement dreams a reality.