Financial Management Resources
Online Mini- Classes -
Classes can be taken in any order.
- Class 1 -First Steps -Developing
a Financial Plan
(play time 5 minutes, 48 seconds)
Worksheets and strategies to manage your budget, track expenses, and communicate with family members.
Class 1 evaluation- 7 short questions
- Class 2 - Who Gets Paid First?
(play time 7 minutes, 13 seconds)
Debt management strategies when income is limited.
Class 2 evaluation - 7short questions
- Class 3 - Credit Reports and Credit Scores
(play time 8 minutes, 20 seconds)
How to buy a truly free credit report with no hidden fees. Factors that effect your credit score.
Class 3 Evaluation- 7 short questions
- Credit Score Quiz- Test Your Knowledge
Quickie quiz - Test your knowledge of credit scores.
3 Steps to Financial Control
In this uncertain world there are many things we can not control - the weather, the possibility of more lay offs, our mortality. But we can try to control how we spend money. Try these 3 steps:
- Track Expenses.
Track expenses on items that do not comes as a bill, including: eating out, groceries, gasoline, convenience store purchases, vending machine purchases, entertainment, etc.
Track expenses for a week and see if you find that your money is going for non-priority items. Save receipts for everything and if you don't get a receipt, make one or write down what you spent on the worksheet.
Many people are amazed to find how much money is being spent on things that don't fit with their financial goals.
Expense Tracking Worksheet (PDF File)
- Analyze Those Expenses.
After one week, take a look. How much did you spend? Can you reduce your spending in some areas? Small Savings Add Up Chart
Benefits of Spending Less Calculator
Go to the section on Reducing Expenses for ideas on how to cut back
- Develop a Spending/Saving plan, aka a Budget!
Your plan will include:
- Net Income
- Seasonal Expenses
- Living Expenses – groceries, gas, personal care, entertainment, etc
- Housing Expenses
- Transportation Expenses
- Communication- telephone, cable, internet, etc,
- Debts – loans, mortgage, credit card debts
Getting Started and Tools to Help:
- Calculate your net income.
- Calculate your fixed expenses (expenses that usually stay the same) such as rent/mortgage, car payment.
- Calculate your variable expenses (things that can change monthly or that are easier to control)- such as electricity, groceries, gasoline, etc.
- Try to include money for savings goals.
- Include amounts to be set aside for season goal