Managing Your Money
SDSU Publications
Consequences of Living on The Credit Cards We live in uncertain times, and stressful situations can catch us financially off guard. When we become strapped for cash, what do many of us do? Reach for the credit card.
Energy Savings: Home Lighting and Appliances The average U.S. household spends $1,400 each year on energy bills. You can, however, lower your energy bill and become energy-smart by making some changes.
Finding Money to Save and Spend No matter what resources we have and no matter what tradeoffs we're willing to make, we all like to have more money if we can.
Fuel Savings: Family Transportation It costs to drive, yet how we love it. We can cut transportation costs.
Fuel Savings: Home Heating and Cooling About 1/2 of all energy used by a household goes to heat and cool the home. This is the place to make a difference - achieving a small amount of energy savings can have a big impact on the family heating and cooling budget.
Getting Control of Your Money #1: Tracking Your Income and Expenses By tracking your income and expenses you will know where your money goes and be better prepared to set up a realistic budget for future spending.
Getting Control of Your Money #2: Tracking Your Income and Expenses the Budget Register Way Of the different methods to track your income and expenses, some are detailed and time consuming and some are simple and quick. Each has advantages and disadvantages. The Budget Register Method is a comprehensive yet simple and fast method.
Getting Control of Your Money #3: Improving Cash Flow How much short-term credit does your family farm business need for the year? When and where will cash be generated? A useful tool for finding these answers and managing the financial needs of the family farm is a cash flow budget.
Household Accounting Book A comprehensive booklet to manage your household finances.
How to Talk to Your Children About Money Problems When money becomes scarce the whole family, from young children to teens to parents, can feel the pinch.
Strategies for Households Working through the challenge of decreased income can give you great personal satisfaction, and you can make a success of it. With a positive attitude and with the suppost of your family, try some new thinking for weathering a current crisis.
Stretching Your Food Dollar If you look at food costs in the U.S. in relationship to income, we pay only 14% of our income for food. We are getting a lot of bang for our buck. However, that buck may not have the purchasing power it once had because of economic stress.
When Prices Rise: Living on Your Income An increase in the price of goods and services can be traumatic. When you have to pay more for things like gasoline, food, and health care, other difficulties may arise, especially if you are retired and/or are living on a fixed income.
When Your Income Drops Income loss is traumatic, whether it's your entire family income or a second income and no matter how it happens there are immediate and positive steps to take. You can get back on top.
Other Useful Publications
51 Ways to Save Hundreds on Loans and Credit Cards - FDIC Simple strategies for cutting costs any time, plus special tips for credit cards, home loans, auto loans, small "emergency" loans, student loans, and small business loans.
Building a Better Credit Report - FTC Having a good credit report means it will be easier for you to get loans and lower interest rates. Lower interest rates usually translate into smaller monthly payments.
Managing Your Money in Good Times and Bad - FDIC
Money Tips for all Ages - FDIC No matter how old or young you are, there are some basic things you can do to better manage and protect your money. Here are recommendations from FDIC Consumer News.
Your Credit Scores A credit score is a number that helps lenders and others predict how likely you are to make your credit payments on time. Each score is based on the information in your credit report.
Useful Web Sites
Adjusting to Suddenly Reduced Income This publication helps people who have sudden income loss by taking into account both the emotional and financial aspects. Through explanation, information, and four worksheets, this publication guides people through the processes of emotional reactions, spending patterns, rethinking goals, and managing conflict should you be adjusting to the loss together with a partner. For anyone experiencing financial loss.
Financial Crisis and Families Resources provided by E-Extension about managing resources in tough times.
Debt Reduction
PowerPay® Helping debtors become savers. Eliminate debt faster by making power payments.
University of Nebraska's Pay Down Debt Caught in the traffic jam of too much debt? Want to save more so your dreams and goals become reality? This website can help. Follow the road to pay down debt.
Credit Reports
Facts about Credit Scoring The following information relates to the understanding and use of a credit score. Listed are details regarding the determination of a credit score, how you can find out what your credit score is, and what you can do if you have questions about your credit score.
Federal Trade Commission This site has information for you, whether you’re shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, checking the accuracy of your credit report, dealing with debt collectors, or looking for ways to protect your personal financial information.
Free Annual Credit Reports This central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Equifax 1-800-685-1111
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Transunion 1-800-888-4213
Self Study Courses
(Don't throw your money away)
Eat well for less is a series of self-paced, web-based learning modules. Eat Well for Less offers you ideas about how to meet some of the challenges of running a household.
Financial Security for All has compiled more in depth information to educate you on specific financial issues and strategies. Please review the lessons that are applicable to you.
Investing for Your Future This 11-unit home study course was developed by the Cooperative Extension system for beginning investors with small dollar amounts to invest at any one time.
Small Steps to Health and Wealth is a program designed to motivate consumers to implement behavior change strategies that simultaneously improve their health and personal finances.
 Wi$eup A program designed for Generation X & Y women. Its goals are to promote financial security through online education and to encourage responsible saving habits for future retirement.
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