The Role of Brief Note and Financial Literacy in Family Financial Management

Abstract

This study investigates the role of brief note-taking and financial literacy in enhancing family financial management, particularly among women who predominantly manage household finances. Conducted in Lamokato Village, Kolaka Regency, the research applies a pretest-posttest design involving 53 households to assess changes in financial knowledge before and after an educational intervention. The study aims to improve financial awareness, planning, and decision-making to enhance family financial resilience. Initial findings show that 62.3% of respondents demonstrated only moderate financial knowledge, which increased significantly to 94.34% in the good knowledge category after the intervention. The research highlights that financial mismanagement, lack of investment, and debt are key challenges faced by families. By integrating brief note-taking practices—such as tracking expenses—and improving financial literacy, families were better able to plan, allocate resources, save, and even consider investments. The results indicate that structured financial education positively affects the ability of individuals, especially women, to manage their finances effectively. The study also emphasizes the broader importance of financial literacy in preventing financial stress and promoting household well-being, particularly in an era of digital disruption and increasingly consumptive behaviors. This research underscores the need for targeted financial education programs, especially for women, to build sustainable family financial systems. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and community organizations aiming to strengthen financial capacity at the household level.