How improving your financial literacy can help ease stress in a tough economy

Whether you're a young adult starting out in a first job, a prospective homeowner shopping for a first house, or a recent retiree learning to get by on a fixed income, brushing up on your financial knowledge can help to build confidence and freedom, said ABC Life Literacy Canada executive director Alison Howard.

The Prince Edward Island man has been developing job skills through Project Search, a program that helps young adults with intellectual disabilities find employment. He's drafted a resume, dropped it off with prospective employers, and is eager to get to work.

But once he does land that first job, Robbins knows it will be a challenge to live within his means. That's why he's also enrolled in Money Matters, an introductory program that teaches financial literacy to adult learners, newcomers to Canada, Indigenous Peoples and people with diverse abilities.

“What would be most helpful for me would be just understanding how much money I can spend, what the max would be," Robbins said.