1. Topics • Tips for Money Management • Budgeting • Cost-Cutting Tips • Debt Management

2. Tips For Money Management

3. Organization • Files • Personal Goals • Plan for Extras • Put aside for Christmas or Holidays

4. Important Documents • Social Security Card (with correct name) • Marriage Certificate • Birth Certificate • Children’s Birth Certificate • Will • Power of Attorney?

5. Comparison Shop! • Negotiate-”can we do better?” -Furniture -Car buying -Jewelry • Day Care • Counseling Services • Health Services

6. Budgeting

7. Budgeting • Fixed Expenses • Variable Expenses • Savings -Do not skip this! -$5 a week X 52 weeks=$260 saved! -$20 a week X 52 weeks=$1040 saved! • Income • Bills- you can move around your due date

8. Cost-Cutting Tips

9. Maintenance and UpkeepTransportation Dollars • Tire upkeep -Pressure kept up -Wheels aligned -Rotate your tires!

10. Maintenance and UpkeepTransportation Dollars • Oil changes • Check your belts • Tune ups • Use the car with better gas mileage • Gasoline -$.03 X 12 gallons=$.36 -$.36 X 52 weeks= $18.72 savings

11. Maintenance and UpkeepTransportation Dollars Check Consumer Reports -gasoline mileage -maintenance rating -safety ratings

12. Shopping • Cut Coupons • Buy less expensive brands • Medication -ask a pharmacist and buy generic brands -regular Sudafed $6.00, generic $3.00

13. Maintenance and UpkeepHome • Turn down the heat or air when not at home. • Buy appliances with energy saving ratings • Seal leaky windows and doors • Fix leaky faucets • Check the outside vent on your dryer

14. General Cost-Cutting • Review your cable service • Review your telephone service -are cell phones cheaper -phone cards

15. General Cost-Cutting • Coffee -$1.50 a day (5 day workweek) X 52 weeks=$390 (can you fill up at home) -$3.50 a day (5 day workweek) X 52 weeks=$910 • Eating out for food -$4.00 X 3 days=$12 X 52 weeks=$624 a year

16. Debt Management

17. Credit Cards • Compare interest rates -Consolidate cards that have high rates • Check your credit rating! • Is your minimum payment lower than your finance charge? • How long is the promotional rate for and what is the rate afterward?

18. Loans • Compare interest rates • When you make a payment make sure it goes to your principal! • Balance checks • Can you afford to make an extra payment now? • Early pay-offs