Welcome to April’s edition of TradeWinds Money Courage. April is Financial Literacy Month and for us, that’s not a calendar reminder, it’s a way of life.
From the content we create to the conversations we have every day, helping people understand money is at the heart of everything we do at TradeWinds.
April: Financial Literacy Month
Financial literacy isn’t about knowing every market term or tax code, it’s about having enough knowledge to make confident decisions. This month, we’re celebrating the tools, conversations, and habits that help people move from financial confusion to financial clarity.
1. What Financial Literacy Actually Means
- It’s not just knowing what a 401(k) is, it’s knowing why it matters to you
- Understanding the basics: budgeting, debt, investing, insurance, and planning
- The confidence gap: why most people know less than they think (and that’s okay)
2. Why It Matters More Than Ever
- Rising complexity in financial decisions (healthcare costs, student debt, retirement uncertainty)
- The cost of financial illiteracy, what it actually adds up to over a lifetime
- How financial knowledge is one of the most transferable life skills you can build
3. Where to Start
- Pick one area to learn this month – budgeting, investing, taxes, or estate planning
- Ask better questions of your advisor, your bank, and yourself
- Make it a household conversation, not a solo exercise
Helpful Tools to Get You Started
CFPB Financial Literacy Resources
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers free, plain-language tools covering budgeting, credit, savings, and more. A great starting point for any stage of life.
Your April Challenge
Pick one financial topic you’ve always meant to understand better. Spend 20 minutes this month learning about it, then bring it up at your next family dinner or team meeting. Knowledge spreads when we share it.
Reflection Questions
- What’s one financial concept you wish someone had explained to you earlier?
- Is there a money decision coming up this year that you’d feel more confident making with better information?
- Who in your life could benefit from a simple financial conversation?
From the Studio
Beyond the Balance goes deeper than dollars and cents, exploring how our financial choices shape our lives, relationships, and happiness. Each episode features real conversations with guests from all walks of life: advisors, entrepreneurs, parents, and everyday people who talk about what balance really means in money and in life.
Newest Episodes:
Episode 7: Beyond the Balance: 6 Common Money Myths (And What Actually Matters)
In this episode of Beyond the Balance, Jeb Bowie and Miller Hoffman tackle 6 common money myths that can quietly derail financial progress.
From taxes and dividends to diversification, Social Security, debt, and the “Magnificent 7” stocks, they break down what people often get wrong and what actually matters when building a thoughtful financial plan.
Pocket-Sized Advice is a short-form video series delivering clear, practical financial guidance, one bite-sized idea at a time. Each episode breaks down real-world money topics into simple, actionable insights you can actually use.
Newest Episodes:
Pocket-sized Advice: Open a New Chapter | Financial Literacy Month Reset
Many people avoid talking about money, not because they don’t care, but because they were never taught how. The good news? It’s never too late to learn.
Emma reflects on her own journey from the classroom to financial services and the lessons that helped her begin taking control of her financial future—including staying calm during market volatility and continuing to learn along the way.
6 Common Money Myths (And What Actually Matters)
Are common money myths quietly hurting your financial future? In this video, Jeb Bowie and Miller Hoffman break down 6 common money myths and explain what actually matters when it comes to investing, taxes, retirement planning, debt, diversification, and Social Security.
Inside TradeWinds
March Madness Champion
The brackets have been busted, the dust has settled, and we have a winner. Tim Whitney took home the TradeWinds March Madness crown this year. Congratulations to Kevin Beamon on an impressive third-place finish and leading the way among all of our clients. Well done, Kevin!
Marbles Kids Museum Big Idea 2026
The team had an incredible time at the Marbles Kids Museum Big Idea 2026 luncheon this week! Marbles has been a cornerstone of our community for years, sparking curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in children across the Triangle. Events like the Big Idea luncheon remind us why investing in our community matters just as much as investing in our clients’ futures.
Volunteering at the Food Bank
Community is more than a value on a wall for us, it’s something we show up for. The team spent time volunteering at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina this month, and as always, it was a grounding reminder of why we do what we do.
TradeWinds Recommends
Jeb
Jeb recommends Ben Felix Video: The Biggest Mistakes in Personal Finance. Ben Felix breaks down the common errors people make with money not with opinion, but with evidence. Worth every minute.
Mike
Mike recommends The Millionaire Next Door. A classic that still hits. Mike’s pick reveals that real wealth rarely looks the way we expect it to and that the habits of everyday millionaires are more accessible than most people think.
Stephanie
Stephanie’s recommendation reminds us that financial success isn’t built on grand gestures, it’s built on small, consistent behaviors compounded over time. A must-read for anyone looking to make lasting change.
Ralston
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Ralston’s pick gets to the heart of why we make the financial decisions we do. Housel argues that how you behave with money matters far more than what you know and the stories in this book will stick with you.
Question of the Month
“Which is optimal: a tax refund or paying a tax bill?”
While a refund sounds like a much better preference on the surface, as with most things, all things in moderation. Receiving a large refund this time of year signals tax inefficiency during the year. When a taxpayer receives a large refund, they’ve effectively given Uncle Sam an interest-free loan throughout the year. On the flip side, paying a large bill is suboptimal, too, and likely comes with underpayment penalties. Careful tax planning around your income sources and respective withholding can help reduce tax surprises while making your dollars work hard for you.
What’s Next?
May: The Next Chapter
Tax season is officially behind us and if you filed an extension, now’s the time to start getting organized. May is a great month to revisit your financial plan with Q1 behind you and a busy summer ahead. Graduations, weddings, new jobs, big moments are coming, and we want to help you feel ready for all of them. More content, more conversations, and more Pocket-Sized Advice on the way.
Onward with Optimism,
The TradeWinds Team
