4 Ways to Increase Your Financial Literacy From reading to listening to following experts in the field, you can increase your financial literacy with these tips. (Stock photo) Being prepared for the unexpected is part of military life, but many military families are financially unprepared for a variety of reasons. In the 2020 Military Family Life Survey, 77% of military families reported paying over $200 per month in out-of-pocket housing expenses. In the 2019 Military Saves Saver Survey, over half (57%) of those surveyed said, "Unexpected expenses are the biggest challenge to saving." But knowing you're supposed to save and doing it are two different things, with a lot of obstacles involved that may be out of your control. And once you save, do you know what to do next? By taking some time to increase your financial literacy, you'll know what steps to take when you are ready.