Financial literacy can help residents take responsibility for their security and meet their goals, said Martha Myron, a certified financial planner.

?The more knowledgeable you are about your own finances, the better your chances of financial success,? Ms Myron said.

?The more you learn the better you have a chance in making sure you have the quality of life you want.?

Ms Myron?s Moneywise column today in feature?s a financial literacy a quiz and is a way to encourage people to learn about finances on their own and be rewarded for taking those steps with winners receiving a book, ?Standard & Poors Guide to Money and Investing?.

?It?s not just not just investing your money, it?s knowing how every financial event affects your finances. It could be buying a car, applying for mortgage, getting control of credit card debt, saving for a particular goal or better understanding how your banking or investments accounts are reported to you and understanding how your economy affects you.?

Ms Myron said increasingly more responsibility for financial security is being placed squarely on individuals. She said the complexity of financial issues still exists but, for some, the sheer amount of financial data is overwhelming.

As part of her commitment as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner, Ms Myron encourages everyone to visit the free website promoted by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).

While some sections are obviously geared to US citizens, the financial calculators and the descriptions of entire financial life stages is very very helpful.

The ?360 Degrees of Financial Literacy? website (www.360financialliteracy.org/Financial+Topics) offers general information for managing personal finances and does not recommend specific financial actions.