Financial literacy inequality happens when certain groups, especially low-income, minority, or rural communities, have less access to the knowledge and tools needed to make smart financial decisions. Historical and systemic factors like discriminatory housing and banking policies, underfunded schools, and strict public assistance rules, have limited access and opportunities to learn about money management. Because of this, many people in these communities struggle with budgeting, saving, building credit, and planning for homeownership or retirement. Without consistent exposure to financial education, these gaps continue across generations, keeping cycles of economic disadvantage in place and making it harder to achieve financial stability. 

The image shows a big gap between the “American dream” on the billboard and the real struggles of poor and marginalized people below it. It reveals that many Americans, especially those in disadvantaged communities, could not access the wealth and opportunities that society promised.