There's probably a lot of money advice you wish you would have gotten sooner. But for many people it wasn't about when they got the advice, it was more about when they decided to actually take it.

The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been a headache for big banks and payday lenders that take advantage of customers, but they have been an excellent advocate for consumers -- and for financial literacy.

Taking money advice from a loan servicer is sort of like taking health advice from a tobacco company. The advice might be valid, but there's probably a better source out there for you. Namely, one that doesn't profit from your bad habits.

Unless you were born into riches, you've probably dealt with money troubles. Financial problems can be a struggle, and "financial literacy" is the go-to solution to building good money habits. Create a budget, learn some basic rules and poof! Our money woes are cured. That's not all it takes to improve your finances, though. Not by a long shot.