6. YOUR SPENDING PLAN Creating and maintaining a livable, breathable spending plan is based on following 6 easy steps .
7. In addition to salary, think of all other expected sources of household income including tax refunds, bonuses, tips, etc. IDENTIFY YOUR INCOME
8. Be honest with yourself about all household expenses, including eating out, salon services, hobbies and habits. Include all of your regular monthly bills and payments to creditors. IDENTIFY YOUR EXPENSES
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10. PAY YOURSELF FIRST Always put a few dollars aside in a savings account each month. Credit Counselors say the amount is not as important as establishing the savings habit! Money adds up!
11. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS Making expenses fit your income is not always easy. Consider consulting with a Certified Credit Counselor to structure a personalized spending plan that that focuses on your long-term goals.
12. DUMP THE DEBT Building a strong financial future means getting rid of your debt. Pay down highest interest rate credit card bills first. Hardship? A Debt Management Plan may be the solution.
13. TRACK YOUR RESULTS Check your spending plan monthly to monitor how much closer you are to reaching your financial goals! Balance your checkbook regularly!
23. CREDIT CARD DON’TS Don’t carry more than two cards with you Don’t use them for cash advances Don’t use them to pay for basics: rent, groceries, utilities. (unless you pay the bill in full each month) Don’t charge more than you can pay that month Don’t let others borrow your credit car d
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25. THE REAL COST OF CREDIT…. What happens when you a $50 dinner? charge A $50 dinner over 20 years on a 22.8% APR credit card would end up costing $4,579.04. Paying only the minimum payment due could mean you never pay off your credit cards for your entire life. Finance Period 10.8 percent 16.8 percent 22.8 percent 1 Year $55.68 $59.08 $62.67 10 Years $146.53 $265.17 $478.49 20 Years $429.39 $1,406.31 $4,579.04
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27. GOOD VS. BAD DEBT Good debt returns something of long term value - higher education or a home. Bad debt is “feel good” debt for purchases that you can’t afford and don’t really need. Any bad debt over 15% of your annual income after taxes should set off an alarm.
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31. If you need help creating a Spending Plan contact : 14051 NW 14 th Street Sunrise, FL 33323 www.americandebtcounseling.org (888) DEBT USA
The recent business failures and job losses are a clear indication of a declining economy. With the current economic climate we all feel the effects personally. Consumers change buying habits to conserve. Businesses pass on increased costs of goods and services, which increases the costs of goods and services to you. With tightening credit markets even consumers with excellent credit scores are finding it difficult to obtain mortgages or even credit cards. Many consumers have seen credit lines decreased while interest rates increased. It’s extremely important to begin to strengthen your financial position in the event your worst fears are realized, in order to prevent your own personal financial crisis. I hope that each of you will find the information helpful. Keep in mind as we go through this presentation that everyone’s personal situation, finances, income and expenses are different. Anyone in need of personal assistance please feel free to contact our credit counseling & enrollment department for help in preparing your personal budget. This is a free service we provide, and all information is kept strictly confidential. As a non-profit credit counseling organization, American Debt Counseling also has debt management programs available that can help people experiencing difficulty with credit card debt.
Planning a budget and monitoring it is essential to not only achieve your goals but also to avoid a personal financial crisis.
No matter how much or how little we make, we all have to manage our money carefully and live within our means in order to avoid our own personal financial crisis. If your financial situation has changed due to the economic downturn, you will more than likely have to change your lifestyle. (discuss some conversations with clients)…Many individuals may not be aware that their spending exceeds their income. Many individuals who are paid on Fridays have no money by Monday and no idea where their $ went.
One of the most important things to remember when we create our individual spending plans is to keep it REALISTIC. If we put together an unrealistic budget we only set ourselves up to fail.
Account for all sources of income: SALARY, TIPS, BONUSES, SOC SEC, DISABILITY, PENSION, CHILD SUPPORT, ALIMONY, FOOD STAMPS, RENTAL INCOME, ETC.
FIXED: SAME EVERY MONTH (rent/mortgage, car payment, cable & internet) VARIABLE: DIFFERENT EVERY MONTH (electric bill, gas, water, phone, groceries) PERIODIC EXPENSES: NOT MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, YEARLY (insurances, home & vehicle maintenance, insurance deductibles) DISCRETIONARY: THE I WANTS (not the I needs)
START SMALL…saving becomes a habit…goal is to get up to 10% of gross 3-6 months living expenses
Living within our means. When you pay off a debt put that amount into savings each month.
Explain DMP
DISCUSS THE 28/36 RULE: SAVE 10% OF GROSS
DISCRETIONARY
Money Gobblers
HOUSING includes rent/mortgage, utility bills, property taxes, insurance, HOA UTILITIES: (apply for an extension or payment arrangements) CAR PAYMENTS (if the car is essential means of transportation? Will the lender tack the payment to the end of the loan)? CHILD SUPPORT (failure to pay can result in imprisonment) JUDGMENT (to avoid garnishment) STUDENT LOANS (do you qualify for forbearance or deferrment)?
Do not use credit cards to live beyond your means
Keep your balance below 50% of your available credit! Use a credit or debit card that pays you back!!!