Changes to the economy, your situation, or your goals may prompt you to take a look at your budget for opportunities to save. But where do you start? These lists will help you make changes, both big and small, to your budget. Entertainment and Hobbies This category can be the easiest to cut from (they
When it comes to talking with a spouse or partner about money, many people shy away. It can be scary—but it doesn’t have to be. Positive and frequent communication is key. Talk Often A great way to reduce the stress of talking about money is to discuss things frequently with your partner. Don’t wait for
The sooner you teach your children the basics about budgeting, the better, and the 3 jar money system is a great way to get started. Kids and Money To learn how to manage money in the 3 jar system, kids need some money to manage. How they get that money can vary. Some children earn
When you’re tracking your own finances, you’re only accountable to yourself. When you’re managing money with a partner, your financial choices need to be justifiable to your partner, too. This adds a degree of difficulty to an already complicated task. Tracking expenses is more than watching your account balance drop every day until replenished by
A budget is a plan for how you’ll spend your money. To create one, you divide your income (the money you get) into your expenses (the things you buy). Income Your income probably falls into one of these categories right now: You earn a regular allowance—A steady flow of money makes creating a budget easy.
Still stashing money under beds, in ceiling tiles, or under floorboards? You may even use a safe to protect your cash. Yes, these are fun, creative ways to secure money, but they aren't great for all your income. Instead, it’s time to take safe-guarding your money a little more seriously. Checking accounts—they’re serious—and safe. Balance
When you hear the word risk, you may think of things like rock climbing or riding roller coasters. But risk is a part of everyday life, too.Risk is the chance for harm or loss. Sometimes risk leads to positive consequences—like discovering you love rollercoasters or are really good at rock climbing. Other times, risk has negative
It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of holiday spending. But if you’re relying on credit to make holiday wishes a reality, the magic often falls flat when your bills come due. Take the time now to create a holiday budget and avoid a post-holiday spending hangover.Be RealisticThe best thing you can do to
If you're building an emergency fund, saving for a big purchase, or getting money together to invest, using an insured savings account can put you on the right road. Most banks and credit unions offer a variety of savings accounts. Some popular savings options beyond the basics include money market accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs). Getting
The value you get from your job is more than just your paycheck. Yes, your salary matters. But to truly assess your total compensation, you also need to consider things like bonuses, commissions, benefits, and other forms of cash and non-cash compensation. Total Compensation Your total compensation is the value of your salary plus all the extra
When you earn income, you get to decide how you spend that money. What you spend money on won’t be the same as other people, because everyone has different spending habits. Learning when and what to spend money on is an important part of money management. Opportunity Cost Every purchase comes with a tradeoff. This
Money that grows without you having to do anything? Great for saving money, but can be dangerous when you’re borrowing. Isn’t it Interesting? Interest is money that's automatically added to a starting balance. It can be earned or owed. You can earn interest by keeping money in certain financial institution accounts, such as a savings account
