The recession has exposed America's dirty secret that many Americans are financially illiterate. And it would be difficult to find someone who doesn't agree that Americans could use more financial education at the student and adult levels.

There are a variety of Web sites aimed at improving financial literacy in America, but one new site hopes to go beyond offering the usual tools for learning to budget, paying off debt, boosting savings, etc. GetFinancialFinesse.org hopes to equip people with tools to clean up their own finances and get involved in efforts to improve financial literacy in their communities. The site is operated by Financial Finesse, a financial education company.

The new site is for individuals who want to get involved with financial education and make a difference. It's aimed at helping people "find steps to improve their own personal financial situation along with the people they care about," says spokeswoman Nancy Anderson. Financial Finesse also wants to reach "the ones who are advocates for change that work in schools or for a nonprofit organization where they see the need for financial education on a daily basis and want to contribute to positive changes in financial education in the workplace, in education and through legislation."

But even people who don't have a lot of time for advocacy can do things to improve their financial knowledge and help others. Among the tools available on the site are links to current legislation related to financial literacy, financial events around the country, and financial education requirements throughout the U.S. There also are tools for getting out of debt, planning for retirement and putting together a personalized action plan for achieving financial goals.

The troubled economy has turned a lot of attention to the subject of financial literacy. Hopefully with all the existing and new resources available to help folks, the effort to educate our nation about money matters will be taken more seriously.