​Building Blocks of Financial Literacy

Earn: Understand Your Income
​Learn how to read your paycheck and identify your actual take-home pay after taxes and deductions. If your hours or income change, use a typical month to estimate how much money you can reasonably expect.
Spend: Create a Realistic Budget
​List your income, bills, and everyday expenses to see how much money is available each month. A budget is not meant to punish you; it is a plan that helps you decide where your money needs to go.
Save: Prepare for Goals and Emergencies
​Even small amounts can help you begin preparing for emergencies, move-in costs, transportation repairs, education, or other goals. Savings should be based on what is realistic for your current income and responsibilities.
Borrow: Understand Credit and Debt
​Learn how credit cards, loans, interest, payment history, and credit reports work. Understanding the full cost of borrowing can help you compare options and avoid loans that are difficult to repay.
Protect: Keep Your Money and Information Safe
Review your accounts regularly and be cautious when someone unexpectedly asks for money, passwords, banking information, or payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps. Pressure to act immediately is a common warning sign of a scam. 

Budgeting

A budget shows how much money comes in, how much goes out, and what may be available for savings or other goals.
Three simple steps
  1. Write down your monthly take-home income.
  2. List your bills and expenses, including rent, utilities, food, transportation, phone service, debt payments, and personal expenses.
  3. Subtract your expenses from your income and decide what may need to change.
Check out the budgeting resources below:
* Remember: A budget should fit your actual income and responsibilities. Rules such as 50/30/20 may provide a starting point, but the percentages can be adjusted to reflect your circumstances.

Prepare and Connect 

Prepare for Housing Expenses

Rent is only one part of a housing budget. When preparing to move into or maintain a home, remember to include:
  • Application fees and security deposits
  • Rent and renters insurance
  • Electricity, water, gas, and internet
  • Groceries and household supplies
  • Transportation
  • Furniture and move-in essentials
  • Emergency or unexpected expenses
Understanding these costs can help you decide what rent is realistically affordable and reduce the risk of falling behind after moving in.

Connect Money to Your Career Plan

If you have a WIN Learning account, use Reality Check in MyStrategic Compass to explore the connection between lifestyle choices, monthly expenses, career options, and expected earnings.
Reality Check can help you:
  • Estimate your future living expenses
  • Compare income with housing and everyday costs
  • Identify careers that may support your desired lifestyle
  • Set realistic employment, education, and financial goals

Financial Literacy Resources

​AnnualCreditReport.com

The federally authorized website for requesting free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Consumer.gov: Your Money

Free Budget Worksheet
Plain-language information about budgeting, banking, paychecks, debit cards, credit, and managing debt. 

​FDIC Money Smart

Free interactive financial education covering everyday banking, spending, saving, credit, debt, and financial decision-making. The self-paced materials work on a phone, tablet, or computer and are available in English and Spanish.
Enter your monthly income and expenses to see how much money remains after your bills are paid.

CFPB: Your Money, Your Goals

A collection of practical tools for tracking income and bills, reviewing credit reports, managing debt, setting goals, and making spending decisions.
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