What can help me stay financially organized each month?
A spending plan or budget is a great way to keep your expenses on track. Use this Monthly Budget tool to see if you have enough money coming in each month to pay for your expenses. This spending plan will also help you find ways to save money for your future goals and large purchases. We also encourage people to use a Bill Calendar to help you map how expenses and income line up and avoid late fees. Finally, rank your bills with the CFPB’s Prioritizing Bills tool to be sure you’re covering the necessities first.If you want to take a deeper dive into budgeting, check out the free, online Budgeting 101 course offered by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Another important part of staying organized is knowing when money is coming in and going out. Using a checking account with online banking is an inexpensive way to keep track of your money. Other financial services might be convenient, but the average family using payday and title lenders, pawn shops, check-cashing services or prepaid cards spends over $500/ year in fees. Ouch! Check out this video from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for more information on banks and alternatives.
How do I plan the next big event in my financial story?
Is that beach vacation possible? Ready for a new vehicle? Planning to own a home? Thinking about a great college education for your kids? Regardless of your desires or your income, planning your financial future is important. To get started, our friends at ConsumerFinance.gov built an easy-to-use My New Money Goal worksheet to help. Use this tool to set your goals, track expenses and create a budget.Latest Posts
