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When it comes to making plans for retirement years, today’s younger workers are struggling to make heads or tails of all the resources and products available to them through work and personal investments. Such lack of financial acumen is a challenge for young adults who face a challenging job market as many continue to struggle paying back student loans and establishing both short and long term savings while balancing the needs of their growing families.

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No matter your age or income, having financial literacy will always be essential to making smart money decisions.

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Fights over finances are a commonly known cause of stress and divorce, and a new survey indicates that while the average couple fights over money five times a year, they discuss finances reasonably fewer than two times a month. Every couple knows there are some topics you just don’t bring up – his mother’s dreadful cooking, your uncle’s bad manners. Money, however, should never be among those subjects you don’t discuss – especially if you’re planning your wedding.

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Though the U.S. economy has been gradually improving, job changes - both involuntary and voluntary - remain a fact of American working life.

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Just as you set small, achievable physical fitness benchmarks that move you toward your ultimate goal – like losing three pounds this month and five the next – you can take incremental steps toward financial fitness, too. You may think goals such as having enough cash savings to cover six to eight months of expenses or building your retirement savings are beyond your reach. But here are some ideas for making those goals more realistic – and achievable – for you.

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Now that the April 15 tax filing deadline has passed, so too has the stress associated with filing taxes for most people. This year, resolve to think about taxes early and often so you don’t get caught in a last-minute panic. Here are some important tips to consider.

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Tax season can be stressful, and each year people scramble to send in their tax returns, right down to the deadline. But for those who do a little preparation and avoid procrastinating, it can be significantly less tense. However, whether you’re a last-minute rusher or an ahead-of-the-game planner, you need to take steps to protect your identity during tax time, or you could be facing the greatest stress of all.

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For all the talk about taxes during the “fiscal cliff” debate at the end of 2012, many people are still left wondering what it means to them as the April 15 filing date approaches. Here are 10 ways you can cut your tax bill and maximize your return.

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Making mistakes is one of Americans’ biggest fears at tax time. A single error can delay the processing of your return or even cause it to be rejected by the IRS. If that happens and you’re entitled to a refund, get ready to wait. If you’re doing your own taxes for the first time this year or aren’t able to import last year’s return, be especially careful to avoid these common errors.

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If you typically dread income tax time, remember this: Three out of four taxpayers receive a federal refund, and the average direct-deposited refund last year was $2,923. You have almost as many tax savings opportunities as last year, thanks to the fiscal cliff-averting tax changes passed in early January. In addition to extending the lower Bush-era income tax rates for nearly all taxpayers, the American Tax Relief Act made permanent or extended dozens of tax breaks.

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Expecting a tax refund this tax season? If so, you may be interested in a convenient savings option offered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.