Newsroom

Financial literacy tips provided throughout the month of April

By Beth Ziehmer

April 30, 2018

Throughout the month of April, Mapping Your Future offered the following tips highlighting some of the money management tools and applications offered on the website:

• April is financial literacy month. Take the pledge for financial wellness!
• Use any tax refund you receive to help pay existing bills or start or enhance your savings.
• Don't be caught off-guard when your student loans go into repayment. Estimate what your student loan payment will be under the standard repayment plan.
• Know what it takes to be your best financially. mappingyourfuture.org/money/fitnessquiz.cfm
• A budget doesn't restrict you, it makes more things possible. Use the budget calculator to learn how to create a budget.
• "If saving money is wrong, I don't want to be right!" William Shatner. Use the savings calculator to see how your money can grow.
• "The way to build your savings is by spending less each month." Suze Orman
• How you pay for college will vary based on your unique situation, but it is important to learn more: mappingyourfuture.org/paying/
• Don't let your student loan debt get out of control, learn how to manage it.
• Why should you care about your credit score? Learn why it's important and how to improve it. #creditscore
• Should I repay my debt or invest my money?
• Learn how to balance your checkbook, even if you bank online.
• "Manage your spending by creating and sticking to a budget." Alexa Von Tobel mappingyourfuture.org/money/budget.cfm
• Estimate how much you can borrow with Mapping Your Future's debt/salary wizard.
• It's not too soon to prepare for next year's tax season. With tax reform approved late last year, it may be a good time to review your withholdings for 2018. Find out more.
• Temporarily unable to make full payments and don't qualify for a deferment? Ask about forbearance.
• If someone asked about your student loan repayment terms, would you know how to answer?
• Can't afford your student loan payment? There are other repayment options if you qualify.
• Making a purchase? If you can't find a coupon, ask at the checkout if they have any coupons or discounts to share.
• "A good financial plan is a road map that shows us exactly how the choices we make today will affect our future." Alexa Von Tobel
• Have student loans with more than one loan servicer? Determine who holds your loans.
• You work hard for your money - pay yourself first. Learn how to save money and see how fast your balance can grow!
• All federal student loans are not the same. The loan programs have different terms, limits, and agreements. Learn more.
• Not able to pay your student loans? Consider deferments to temporarily suspend your payments.
• Live within your means! Don't spend more money than you earn. Make sure you have a budget and that you follow it.
• Learn how to avoid student loan delinquency and default.
• "Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust." Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
• Thank you for joining Mapping Your Future for financial literacy awareness month. mappingyourfuture.org/money

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