Start Stackin’
The quote, “I’m stuck between ‘I need to save money’ and ‘you only live once,’ ” has probably resonated with everyone at one time or another. And since you really do only live once, it’s important to incorporate money management and healthy spending habits NOW. That way, you can totally go on that friends trip you’ve been planning without sacrificing a late bill payment. It’s just a matter of managing your coin!
Ohio Healthy Transitions Project Navigators can help you find the right resources to achieve your financial goals. For information on how to sign up, call 234.208.4340, or email/text LevelUp@wingspancg.org.
Budgeting
- Form a budgeting plan and be consistent
- Using Budgeting Apps can help you track progress
- Tell Your Money What to Do
- Monitor your spending habits with these Budgeting Tips
- Educate yourself about all sorts of other financial topics with Local Financial Literacy Resources
- Take classes, explore financial interests & find what works best for you
- Budgeting Tips
- How to Save Money
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
- The nation’s largest and longest-serving nonprofit financial counseling organization. NFCC helps people overcome their money issues and concerns so they can make strides toward living their best lives and achieving their personal goals.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Cuyahoga County Resources
- Lorain County Resources
Tax Basics
- Taxes fund your community
- Learn How to Pay Your Taxes as soon as possible
- You must submit them on time
- You must submit them to the right place: Where to File Taxes
- Keep updated with tax changes every year
Important Documents
- There are many Different Types of Tax Forms
- Here are ways to obtain them: Local Resources to Pick Up Tax Forms
- Each form has its own conditions that are unique to you
- Things you should know:
Guide to Debit
- Requires an application and approval - banks want to know that you are responsible
- Comparing Banks will help you choose which benefits you can take advantage of the most
- Once approved, Using Debit Cards Safely will protect your money
- Know the difference: Checking vs. Savings
- Never put all of your money in one place; maintain balance
Guide to Credit
- Requires an application and approval, but very different from a debit card
- A credit card is way more of a commitment
- Difference Between Debit and Credit Cards
- Learn How to Get Your First Credit Card to pay off debt faster
- Building credit will make it easier for you to get loans
- It will also lower your Credit Card Interest
- Here are some Credit-building Tips
- Be careful of overspending
- Credit Card Overdraft could end up hurting your credit and costing you more
- Fees and charges will vary based on the bank and your current credit
Savings
- Creating a Savings Plan is more rewarding than intimidating
- Learn How to Open a Savings Account to kickstart your financial success
- Be realistic with your money goals
- Avoid dipping into your savings
- When it comes time to retiring, you should be prepared
What to do
- Identity theft is super common (around 1 in 15 people will get their identity stolen in their lifetime)
How to avoid
- Catch the perpetrator early by paying attention to Warning Signs of Identity Theft
- In Avoiding Identity Theft, routinely check your accounts
- View billing statements and transaction notifications
- Your bank will freeze your accounts based on suspicious activity