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Money Matters

Making Money Matter

Making your money matter starts with the knowledge of managing and growing your money. Making money matter keeps 4 Modules in perspective to help you through your day-to-day decisions and plan for financial success.

 

  • Making Your Money: Make the most out of the money you earn.

  • Budget Your Money: Understand your money and tell it what to do

  • Borrowing & Credit: Avoid, if possible. If not, manage responsibly.

  • Saving Your Money: It’s never too late or early to start saving for the future.

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CONTACT US FOR FINANCIAL FITNESS ASSISTANCE OPTIONS

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Making Your Money
Understand the amount you get paid, which is you gross income and the amount you bring home, your net income. Know the fine print and details of your check; what your deductions and withholdings are.

Actions:

  • Review your check each pay period

  • Know your deductions

  • Know the taxed that are withheld

  • Invest in education or training to strengthen your worth to earn more

MMM Tips:

  • Employer must subtract taxes each pay period

  • Your take-home pay is your net income after deductions

  • Take advantage of credit or deductions that lower your taxes

  • Sign up for employer offered retirement savings program

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Budget Your Money

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Having a budget is a core pillar of financial responsibility. List or document all your household income and expenses for each month. Use your net income (take home pay) to budget your expenses. Tell your money where to go each month. Therefore, there are no questions to where your money went.

Actions:

  • List ALL income and bills

  • Allocate your funds (tell it where to go)

  • Make cuts, if needed

  • Set limits

MMM Tips:

  • Pay yourself first

  • Create a goal as a family

  • Use a calculating spreadsheet

  • Set a date each month to work on your budget, if married do it together

  • You should know where your money is going each month

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Borrowing & Credit

Borrowing money and obtaining credit cards require great financial responsibility to live within your means. In most cases you may need to live off less than you make. Being responsible means paying your balance in full each month. If possible, avoid borrowing and credit card, which can set you up in bondage. Borrowing and using credit cards is a process that encourages you to spend more money than you actually have.

Actions:

  • Avoid, if possible

  • If not, eliminate debt one bill at a time

  • Register for creditor’s website

  • Check your statements monthly

  • Talk with your creditor to choose your payment date

MMM Tips:

  • Credit cards should not be used to make ends meet

  • Paying interest is only good when interest pays you

  • Spend less than you make

  • If you must have a credit card, spend less than you make and pay in full each month

Saving Your Money

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Saving is an act that must be taken seriously.  Start small and pay yourself first even if it’s $5 a period or month. Try to customize your savings an spending habits to your lifestyle.

Actions:

  • Develop a new saving habit

  • Open a savings account

  • Pay yourself first

  • Set a small goal then expand

  • Save for the unexpected, have an emergency fund account

  • Cut back where you can until you have developed a cushion

MMM Tips:

  • Monitor your savings

  • Use a money market savings account for you emergency fund

  • If you have direct deposit setup automatic transfers

  • Ask yourself if your purchase is a need or a want before spending

  • Plan for retirement with an IRA or 401K account

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