Budget Well

Understanding budgets helps us and our kids make better decisions about money.

All Money Topics

Why a Budget Matters

A budget helps us understand the choices we make with our money.
A budget is an important step and tool toward financial fitness.

How to Develop a Budget System

Keep track of your receipts.
Keep track of your bills.
Create major spending categories.
Set a regular time to work on your budget.
Store information in file folders, envelopes or boxes.
Consider using a budget ledger or a computer software budget tracker.

Examples of Budget Expenses

Rent or mortgage
Groceries
Clothing
Transportation
Electricity
Savings

Ways to Create a Budget System

File folders
Envelopes
Boxes
Computer software

Money Topics for Parents:

12 Key Financial Topics to Cover With Your Children and Teens.

Talk Well:

When we talk at home about money in
honest and caring ways, we're better prepared to help children and teens make better money choices.

Borrow Well:

Sometimes you need money when you don't have it. Maybe your child or teen wants to borrow money to buy a gadget at an electronics store. Find out the pros and cons of borrowing.

Budget Well:

Your child or teen may want to attend an arena concert. Understanding budgets helps us and our kids make better decisions about money.

Dream Well:

We get closer to our dreams for the future—and so do our kids—when we set financial goals. Attending a university is a dream for many of our children.

Earn Well:

Getting paid for our work gives us a sense of accomplishment. Working in a place like a restaurant can do the same for our children and teens.

Give Well:

When we give thoughtfully, we help causes and charities that the entire family cares about.

Invest Well:

When we invest well, we can increase our wealth over time. Investment traders and
other people with knowledge can help with
this process.

Live Well:

Whether our kids are at home or in the park, we’re aware of what they need to succeed with their money and all aspects of their lives.

Protect Well:

By protecting our kids and ourselves–even while driving a car–we can create a financial safety net during tough times.

Save Well:

When we save well, we are more likely to reach our financial goals like taking a vacation or buying a house. Having a bank account can help with saving.

Spend Well:

When we make thoughtful choices while at the mall about how we spend money, we become better consumers.

Move Forward Well:

Before and after high school, the more our kids know about money, the better decisions we can all make to move forward.