BUDGET I

BUDGET 1
A budget isn't some piece of rocket science that only banks, businesses, the news and grandparents throw around. It's a piece of information that applies to your daily life. Ever make a store list? That's holds the same principle as a budget.

A budget is an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future. --Dictionary.com

STEP 1: SET THE STAGE
Budgets are hard to keep for a lot of people, most of the time they end up going over their spending limit. In order to be RICH and stay that way start small in your budget skill building! If you've already started to practice Cracking the Safe and doing the $5 Dollar Fund congradulations. You've already started a buget for yourself and keeping it! Now let's try something a little more substantial, like a Store list.

Example: The Store list
Part1-The store list is one of the most easy things to learn to set a budget on. If you have a certain group of items written on the list STICK TO IT. Think of the list as your Stage when you go to the store. Don't go adding more things (characters) to your cart if you don't have it on the list! It's like over loading it with things you don't really NEED but you saw it and WANTED it. If it's not on the list. Don't get it.

Part2-Holidays are another big time when the word budget comes up. I'm sure you've heard the word budget come up around October-November when people start mentioning Christmas. Christmas is a huge time when the word budget is used because of the sorrid after-math that comes in January and February. When Holiday shopping bills come back for payment and taxes need to be turned in. A mind boggling and finance crushing time unless you spent and executed your shopping wisely. This will tie in with greater detail later on in the blog.

Now if you feel you can easily handel part one or have tried it several times and have done it without adding anything then congradulations! Now you can add Step 2!

STEP 2: THE REAL DEAL
This is where you will set the Actual Budget. To do this you need to be aware of the Economy and Prices around you. If you set yourself a budget and find that you have grossly under-estimated the cost of the items you need you could be in trouble. To become aware it's as simple as checking the local sale papers and be conscious of the prices for your typical items. Figure out the average in esitmating the costs and then use that as a guide to set your budget.

If you're completely new to a budget watch the sale papers for a month, mark in the paper what you typically buy with a marker or highlighter. Keep the papers in a file or pile somewhere out of the way but close enough to have easy access. Every week mark the paper of the same items that you get and see what the prices are as they rise and fall. You'll get a rough idea of prices and develope a sense of what is a good deal.

For a more frugal way to set a budget give yourself a dollar amount straight off the bat, such as $25-$100 approximately enough to cover what you need to get. These numbers are just used as an Example; but say you have only $100.00 to available to you to spend at the store for food till next month. That $100.00 is your budget and it has to last you for 30 days. That's a TIGHT budget but it can be made to work out if you purchase items at good sale prices, some of them in bulk and not name brand. You'd be shocked at the same value and quality items are made and yet their boxed and sold for 4$ less than the name brand.

Here's a helpful site that I found while trying to meet my own budget. It's called Divine Caroline and there was an article of The 20 Healthiest Foods for Under 1$. I thought I'd share it with you. After all, there's nothing wrong with keeping your waist thin and your wallet fat!

Pay it Now!

Bill Paying! Don't be Late & Always have enough!

You probably heard your parents say at some point, "The bills going to be late." That's not a good sign.

STEP 1: MAKE A DATE
Look on the bills when they come in, you'll notice that they have two things. Amount Due and Past Due. The Past Due amount always a few dollars to sometimes $30.00 more than the Amount Due. When bills are Past Due or Late the companies tack on LATE FEE's. Late fee's equal more money being spent for either, electricy you didn't use, water you didn't run or gas you didn't spend. It's just used as a punishment for you not paying your bill on time between the allotted dates.

Do yourself a favor and SET A DATE each month to pay all the bills before their due date arrives. If you know approximately how much a bill will cost, such as cable or rent, mark that in advance so you know how much you're going to need.


STEP 2: BILLS LATE ON ARRIVAL
People seem to think that just because the mail arrives late means that they can pay the bill late as well and not be penalized for it. They call in and complain that it didn't arrive on time so they didn't know it needed to be paid. This is a misconception that needs to STOP. Just because a bill is late getting to your home doesn't mean you get extra days to pay it. If you know it's coming and it's not there when it should be make note of it and either pay before it gets there or put something towards it for when it shows up and pay the difference.
This doesn't "just apply" to bills. It's the same when you rent something, there's a due date or a time when you have to have it back to the store or you'll get a fee. Make note of it or have someone else get it there before the time so you don't have to pay extra!

This also applies for writing checks! Late fee's add up! If you're going to write a check make sure you have money in there before you write it to cover it! Why? Because you don't know when the checks going to arrive. Stores send in checks at different dates and times, there's not set schedule of when they will arrive at your bank and not having enough funds will cause you to recieve NSF fees. These fee's can range from $25.00 to $45.00 per check! Think about that! If you write 3 checks and you don't have enough in the bank to cover them and they all bounce and your bank charges $30.00 per uncleared check. That's $90.00 dollars EXTRA you have to pay ONTOP of your unpaid Checks because they didn't clear! Can you afford an extra $100.00 for being careless? No! Not if you want to be Rich!

STEP 3: HOW TO SET A DATE
Setting a Date to pay bills can be simple as an Excel doc., pocket calendar, personal reminder, wall calendar, task list, personal planner or instant reminders sent to your e-mail or cell phone! That's right you can get reminders sent to your e-mail of when a bill is due and it's free! Try Google Calendars for starters and not only can it remember bills but also party dates, school project due dates, work schedules and meetings. Check it out for yourself to start you on getting organized.

Organization, if started early and pracitced can make life so much easier. Whether your in High School or out of it, heading into college or already out in world organization can help elivate stress later on in life or fix it now. If you know what's coming and where you're going you can plan around it!

Debit Cards and Credit Cards

Debit Cards and Credit Cards

STEP 1: SUBTRACTION

Debit Cards are not Credit Cards. Know the difference! Both types of cards don't add credit/money to your account! When a Credit Card says you have a $10,000 dollar limit. That does not mean you have $10,000 of free money given to you to spend! That money isn't yours! You have to pay that back and with INTEREST! This is the type of interest you don't want! A Debit Card looks just like a credit card but it is connected directly to your bank account. So if you have $500 in your account that is how much you have on your Debit Card. Both of these items have many conveniences and flaws that can put you into the RED extremely FAST.  Neither of them put more money into your account. Think of them both as plastic Zeros. Credit Cards don't give you money they let you take money from someone else. Debit Cards take money out of your own account. You don't gain anything.

Credit Cards are things you do not want to have unless you know you can afford them. Think of them as Loan Sharks. You go and borrow money from this card to buy something that you couldn't afford right now. There's a time limit on when you can pay back the amount you borrowed from it. There's another catch however. See, you borrowed money from this card, this card now is going to tack on Interest for letting you borrow money from it. That means that if you borrowed $700. dollars that, depending on the type of Credit card you have the interest rate could change, means you'll have to pay $700 dollars back PLUS interest for using it! So that $700 could then be $720.67 that you owe back. If you can't afford to pay the Card back on time with it's interest you get a LATE FEE and more time to pay it back.  Now, you have more time to pay them back but now you owe them $780.67. If you couldn't afford to pay them back the $700 dollars the first time are you ever going to be able to pay back the $780.67? This is how we fall into DEBT also known as the RED.

Debit Cards look just like Credit cards but are connected to your bank account. You don't have a huge amount available to you to spend. You have what it is in your account, either checking or savings or both. So if you have $500.32 in there then that is how much is on your Debit Card. So if you want that $700. Item you best save up for it because you'll need to pay the store the $700. Plus have enough left over in your bank account to keep you from getting a penalty fee for falling below the limit of your account.
Debit cards are also extremely convenient to use. You can just swipe the card nearly anywhere to buy something and it's directly taken from your bank account. BUT there's no way for you to keep track of how much you've spent like you have in a check book, unless you get a second registry to keep track of all your purchases. If you don't you're quickly able to fall into DEBT just as fast as or even faster than the Credit card!

STEP 2: KNOWING THE TEAMS of FAIL
Both types of cards are easy to get a hold of but if you already know about the hidden costs of each card it isn't very hard to see where you should place your focus on. Remember we're all about being RICH!

Credit Cards

• Borrow money from somewhere else that you have to pay back with extra money for using.
• Charge you fee's if you can't pay it back on time.
• Can be used nearly anywhere to purchase something.

Just to be safe DON'T get a CREDIT CARD. You don't need one right now and it can only get you in trouble in the future unless you have an unlimited amount of money. If you decide to get a Credit card look for the cheapest Interest Rate! With Credit Cards you do the opposite of your own account and look for the cheapest interest rate!
Remember: Never spend more than you can pay back and pay it back as soon as possible!

Debit Cards

• Use your own money in your Bank Account. 
• Can be use nearly anywhere to purchase something. 
• Some Debit card machines will charge a fee for taking out straight cash to pay for something.
• No way to keep track when making multiple purchases.

Remember: Never spend more than you bank account minimum. Be watchful of Debit machines that charge a fee from $1-$  for using them to check your account or pull out cash for you to use. Certain ATM/debit machines associated with your bank won't charge a fee for getting cash from them or checking the amount on your account.

STEP 3: WHEN IT'S OK
Yes there are times when using a Debit or Credit card is Ok. Rarely! But there are times when it's worth it to get something cheaper.

UNDERSTAND THIS: DO NOT USE CREDIT unless you have Extra Money in your Account. Using credit means it's not immediately taken out of your account like a debit is. Credit typically shows up within the next billing cycle so you have approximately until your next pay check, providing it's bi-weekly, to come up with the funds. If you can't pay off the amount by the time your next pay check arrives DON'T use CREDIT. Remember your bills may have to come out of that pay check as well so BE CAREFUL.

The good points of a Debit Card and particular type of credit card are discounts. Most Credit Cards that are allowed in this type of spending and staying rich are store Credit Cards such as Macy's, NY&Company, Victoria Secrets, just to name a random few from my own collection. These cards are only used when I'm going to get a percentage off for using it with something. Particularly a sale! Who doesn't love an extra 10-15% off an already sale item?

As long as these cards don't card you a fee for using them, in store cards typically don't then you'll be fine. It's the BIG name cards you have to watch out for the ones that have Platinum, Gold, and Silver in their name and want to charge you interest for using them. These cards typically come to you in the mail with your name pre-printed on them so all you have to do is activate them. Do yourself a favor and SHRED THEM ASAP. You don't NEED the Loan Sharks.


STEP 4: CURVE BALL AHEAD
Keep your eyes open because some Debit cards now are offering cash back for using the credit option! That's right for making the amount/bill arrive later to be taken out of your account you recieve a percentage, most likely 1% of the 2% back! That isn't too bad considering you'd be gaining a few extra coins and dollars back here and there. Just remember if you're going to Credit be certain you have extra in the bank first to cover it.

$$- Simple word of advice, if you have to use the credit option on your debit card try not to use it on Gas. Gas stations have no idea how much you're going to pump so it takes out an automatic hold ranging from $.99 cents to $100! Try to pay for gas in cash if you can or debit.  

Words of Wisdom

While we're all moving into the world of plastic and technology please consider this. When the power goes out and your at the store you can't use a check or plastic. The only thing they'll accept is cash. Carry some cash on you at all times strickly for this emergency.

Check Please!

CHECKING ACCOUNTS

Checking Accounts are for those who have a steady income. By steady income I mean High School teens with part time jobs, cramming college students, and young adults in the work force receiving a Paycheck every one to two weeks. Checking Accounts are as simple as Saving Accounts but they can be tricky if you don't keep track and can put you into the RED ZONE. Never go into the negative or red zone! EVER. This only hurts you financially.

Step 1: INTEREST or NON-INTEREST CHECKING

Choosing which type of Checking account you want varies from Bank to Bank much like the Rates do. Remember back in Crack the Safe where I showed you how to find the highest interest rates for your Savings Account? This now is going to take second place when searching for a Checking Account.

Checking accounts are trickier in that they have things like NSF fees, and limit rules. First you want to decide if you want to have a checking in the same location as your Savings. There's no big deal if you don't some people do business at multiple banks, it's your money!

INTEREST Checking Accounts are accounts that gain interest for you having money in your account that stays above a certain level. Some banks require you to have a minimum amount of dollars in your Checking account in order to receive the interest and not receive a service charge. An example would be you are required to have $25 in your checking at all times. This means that if your account ever falls below $25 you’re subject to not receive the interest for that month AND you get a Service charge for not keeping at that amount. That service charge can cost you as much as $5 to 30$ depending on your bank. 

$$-Interest checking also has some perks to it like free checking and sometimes free checks this all depends on the bank though. 

NON-INTEREST Checking Accounts are accounts that do not gain any interest for you having money in it. Whatever you put in there stays in there and doesn't change. You open the account with $25 and you don't do anything with it. Come back two months later and check your account there's still just $25. That's a Non-Interest bearing account. These Non-interest baring accounts typically have a lower minimum to open. So say Interest checking requires you to have $200 to open the account and you need to say at $200 to gain the interest. With a Non-Interest baring account you could open the account for much cheaper, say $25 and not get as much service charged to you for falling below it say $2 instead of $5-30$. But this type of account comes with its downfalls apart from no free money.


Like a ten-cent $.10 check charge on each check cleared per statement cycle.

This means that if you wrote a check on your Non-Interest baring checking account you'd be charged $.10 cents for writing it. So say you wrote 5 checks for the month of January. 5*.10 = .50 so you get charged $.50 cents when you get your statement in the mail for January.

Words that were used but not explained

NSF or Non-Sufficient Fund means that you did not have enough in your account to cover the check or meet the requirements for that month's minimum or to gain interest.

Service Charge means a charge is placed and automatically taken from your account because you had an NSF fee. It can be as much at $2-30$! That might not seem like a lot $2, but if you have enough of them throughout the year that can be as much as $100! And if it's a $30 check charge look out! Just two of them and you're at $60! Three and you're at $90!

Limit Rules these were explained to you by the bank customer service reprehensive that spoke with you when you opened the account. It's also in the pamphlet they gave you when you opened the account and was explained all the rules it encompasses. That Limit Rule is what is required to keep your account free from getting NSF fees or Service Charges. PAY ATTENTION TO IT!

STEP 2: THE CHOSEN ONE

Now that you've chosen an account to open be mindful of what you have in it. The bank already set you a goal to keep in it. Now I want you to give yourself one more. I want you to give yourself a goal, from either $50 dollars to $200. If you think you can do more then go for it! But don't place it where you're liable to fail!

Your goal is to keep your account not at the banks minimum but HIGHER. Set your goal above what they want you to have in there! Say your account requires you to have $200 in it. You set yourself a $100 goal. You now have to keep $300's in your account at all times and never fall below it. While you don't get a service charge for falling below your new goal you should feel disappointed or guilty that you didn't meet your own expectations and requirements. This amount can rise every 6 months to each year if you want. So say you kept $300 or above in your account for 6 months and you think you can do more. Then raise the bar. Instead of $300 make it $350 or $400! Keep raising the bar in your checking and you can even do the same with your Savings! Watch your money grow and you weren't even really doing anything!

Step 3: WATCH YOURSELF

Here's where I'll introduce the level of fail that can come with a checking account. You ever hear in your parents or friends conversations things like bounced check, late charge, fell below and keeping the checkbook straight? If you have they've done one thing. Not keep track! This only gets worse when there's a Debit card involved or Credit card (which we'll talk about later).


When opening a checking account there will be an item you are given called a Check Register.

This is just an example I found of a blank one searching the net. Notice how it has specific columns for keeping track and your records straight of what you spend and where. This is so you don't fall into the RED. If you don't get into a habit of tracking what you spend you're going to be in a load of trouble later.

RULE 2 WRITE IT DOWN TO STAY RICH!

There are several other ways to keep track of what you spend and where and that is called Duplicate Checks. Duplicate Checks work with carbon paper meaning you can fill out your check and have what you've written press through the two special papers behind it and leave you a copy of the check attached in your checkbook. These Checks are a little more expensive but if you can't keep your check register straight or remember what checks you made out then maybe you should try them.

Another way to keep track of your account is a new thing the banks offer called ONLINE BANKING and TELEPHONE BANKING. Online Banking means you can access your account via the internet on the banks own safe and secured website. This can also provide you with a 24 hour instant check up on your account. You can see how much you've earned, what's been paid, what your accounts available balance is and even how much interest you've gained! Online banking can also offer instant transfers and online bill pay! Those transfers will come in handy later on as well as Bill Pay.

Telephone Banking, not all banks may have this option, but it's where you're able to call a 1-800 number provided by your bank and you can call in at any time to an automated system that is accessible with a Password and you can hear all of your accounts activity.

Step 4: THE CHECK

Checks come in various styles and colors but they all come at a price. This is important if you write a lot of checks! Word of Advice, GO CHEAP or FREE. Do you really need the limited edition painted background checks with the foil embossed glass slipper that cost $32.00 per box of 120 checks? No. Don't EVEN say yes because the answer is No. You don't. Why? Because you can get a box of 150 plain checks for cheaper. Sometimes even for FREE from your bank! Cheaper is better for saving your hard earned cash! At least in this sense. Remember this all about getting BIG BUCKS! Spending your money unwisely isn't what we teach here.

 HOW TO FILL OUT A CHECK Above is a typical check

• 
  
  Top of the Check Will already have your Name, Address and possible Phone number on it.

Date: Fill in the days Date when you write the check.

Pay to the Order of: This is where you will place the NAME of the Individual or Place recieving the check. Example: JC Penny's

In the Box on the Right: You will place the amount the check is for. Example: $54.37

On the line below that has Dollars: Is where you will write out the boxed amount. Fifty-four Dollars and 37/100. You do not have to write out the cents like thrity-seven cents. You can just write 37/100.

• 
  
  Bottom of the Check

For: For means you wright what it is you've purchased on the line. So in this mock case a Blender that was on sale. So you would write Blender.

Final Blank line on the right: You would write your Signature. Your signature is unique in how you write your name and without it the check cannot be cashed.

Numbers along the bottom: The numbers along the bottom of a check are two things. Your banks Routing Number comes first followed by your Checking Account Number. This is why you NEVER want to lose your checkbook or misplace a check! It's important to keep it together and be responsible because if not people could steal your idenity and money!

Neglected Piggy

Now that you've emptied that Piggy Bank out and have deposited your funds into your Savings Account. Do you just throw it away? Absolutely not! There's plenty more things for that Piggy Bank to do! In fact I have two, although the other one is a jar. That Piggy bank is now a home for your Loose change. Loose change is the stuff that you find in your pockets, jacket, cleaning the car, even the random coin on the sidewalk or the money that falls out of the washer or dryer! Bet you want to pay more attention to the laundry chore now. All of that is loose change and can be put into your Piggy bank! Fill that bugger up! Soon as it's full take it to the Bank and put it into your account and start again!


5$ Dollar FUND!
Another thing you can do, for those of us that have loose change consisting of small bills and pocket change can do something a smidge more productive and create a 5$ fund. Every time you come back from a shopping trip or empty your pockets if there's a loose five dollar bill take it out and put it in your Piggy bank or jar! At the end of the month take it to the bank and turn it in to your Savings account you'd be shocked at how quickly that adds up! If you can't spare 5$ try 1-2$ but never CHEAT! In fact I'm making that a Rule

RULE #1 FOR BECOMING RICH! NO CHEATING

Meaning that if you set yourself a goal such as the 5$ fund don't go putting just two dollars into it. Break down and put in a 5 and walk away. Don't take it back out! Once your money's in that Piggy Do Not Touch!

Crack the Safe

STEP 1: GET A HAMMER

There's something everyone needs to realize when they start to teach children to put pennies into piggy banks. Yes it's a great way to teach them how to save up, but it's also pretty useless if it just sits there. This is why you need the Hammer. Your money, while sitting safe in that jar, isn't doing anything for you other than just sitting. This is where you learn your first step at INVESTING. While the piggy bank keeps you from spending it the real bank can help you earn more of it! Banks have a thing call interest on certain and nearly all accounts. This interest is based on how much you have in the bank and you can earn up plenty of free cash that's deposited automatically to your account month.

STEP 2: GO TO THE BANK

Going to the Bank-While unlike Mary Poppins, it can be a rewarding experience. But there are some snags you'd want to check into first before just hoping on down there and presenting yourself and your Piggy Bank. Familiarize yourself with your Local Bank(s) in your area or call and ask them for their RATES. I know it's a scary word and most don't realize that it applies even to a Checking and Savings Account. Rates are what earn you interest and create free money for you. Right now, since we're just starting our fortune from scratch, the only rates you'll need are SAVINGS and CHECKING

Rates change and are different for everyone. Your best option would be to search the net or call the bank and ask them the following:

• What their current rates are

• When do they change

Once you have them all written down or posted in front of you then compare. The one with the highest rates is what you're looking for.

An example of this would be:
As you can see by looking at the list, I've posted 3 different Banks and their current rates for Checking and Savings. (The two last white ones are from the same bank one checking one savings) What you're looking at is the first steps of deciding what bank is right for you. I know it looks hard but it's really not.

1st- Look at how much you need to open up a SAVINGS account. Since we're starting out small there's no need for a checking just yet. That will come later.

$$-Please note that all Banks are different and offer specials. An example would be receiving 100$ for opening up an account with them.

For the Green Bank I can have just a penny to open up a Savings Account. With an interest rate of .05% with an APY of .05%

 Red Bank looks like they offer several types of Savings Accounts, we just want a basic account. As you can see they're all sitting at the same rates so that makes it a little easier. The one we want is called a Passbook or Statement Savings who both carry an interest rate of .797% and an APY of .80% much higher than Green Bank.

The last one is Blue Bank with an entire NEW outlook on rates. We want a Passbook savings, we would need 50-100$ to open one. Then we see the Features category where it tells us that we can't have ATM access. That's ok we're not going to be touching these funds. We also have to keep a minimum balance in there of 50/100$ or we'll get charged a penalty for falling below it. Well that doesn't sound good even if we weren't going to touch it. What else? We gain a dollar and get charged for accessing our own account?!  

Not good! Not good at all. That will never do.

Looks like out of Green, Red and Blue Bank. Red Bank has the Best Rates.

Please Note $$: Banks will explain to you when you open an account everything you need to abide by their rules and requirements for having an account with them. Even if you don't have a job and only make 5$ a month with allowance that's still money you can put in the bank! Keep your account active by putting money in it every 2-3 months so that it doesn't go dormant and possibly fall into a late fee. Even if it's .50 cents it's still better than nothing! Secondly the reason Statement savings was chosen was because of what was found in the fine print. A Statement Savings gives compound intrest Daily while the Passbook happens monthly. Be sure to understand your banks accounts and how they work before opening an account with them!  

STEP 3: COIN MACHINES

Now let’s look at what we have in our Piggy Bank! Before we go dumping and rolling all of those coins into paper tubes I want everyone to be aware of something. Technology. There's a thing called a Coin Machine but before you all go crazy and rush out to go use the one at your local super market STOP and Call the BANK! I know I say this a lot but what you don't realize is that when you take that hard earned or gathered up pocket change to a local coin machine it takes a percentage of what you put in it! You're losing money to have it count it for you! So call the bank! Most banks will have a coin machine inside and if you have an account with them they'll let you use the coin machine for FREE! Yes that's right! I cashed in over 800$'s worth of coins and got to keep all of it and put it in my account!

FINAL STEP: OPENING AN ACCOUNT

All bank policies are different but once you've chosen a bank go and set up a Savings account. Whether you're just getting your first paper route, your new job or simply to put the allowance money you've bottled up and hid under your bed a Savings account would be one of the best things you can do providing you do one very important thing. DON'T SPEND IT. I know, I know it sounds absurd to work hard and make money only to not be able to use it but try to think in moderation. If you start saving up now, even if you're only 15, you could have gained enough by the time you're 18 or older to buy your first car or something even greater later on in life like an IRA! (That will all come in later posts though)

WANTS & NEEDS

The point is Saving now equals bigger money later. You want to be rich right? Learn to live without some things. You've heard people, psychologists and advice columns say; "When you're shopping, instead of buying on impulse ask yourself this question. Do I NEED it or do I WANT it?" There's a fine line between Needing something and Wanting something. We all need food to survive on but do you really NEED that magazine off the rack at the front of the store along with your groceries or do you WANT it? 3$ or 4$ dollars might not seem that much on a single shopping trip but add that "splurge" up each time you go out and you're looking at 20$ in magazines. Why spend it? You can probably go on line to the magazine’s website and find it to read for free or visit a friend’s house who reads it or even the LIBRARY to see if they have it to look through. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to get caught up in the WANTS mistaking them for NEEDS.

It Starts...

You step out the doors of your High School in that tacky gown and annoying little hat, sporting your school colors with your piece of paper ultimately saying YOU'VE PASSED GO! Yet for the majority of us there's no 200$ collection on the other side. Welcome to the real world, one of adults and responsibilities. A place where things like Bills, Insurance, Account numbers, IRA's and why you need to memorize your social security number are an important part in your life.

Nearly everyone is faced with the question of WDWDN (What do we do now?) Some will say college others will say the work force. This blog is to help those of you who are still in High School, College or have become a Young Adult, take a firm step into the real world. It's here to help you bridge the gap between being a kid and getting a taste of what it takes to make it outside of Mom and Dad's watchful eyes.

You'll learn about things such as;

• Checking and Savings

• Debit Cards and Credit Cards

• Bills

• First Jobs and Fortunes

...All right who are we kidding? Honestly. When we get out of school we don't care about where our next meals coming from. We all have a plan that mom and dad laid out for us or we just go where the wind takes us. But what if you could be RICH? Ahh yes the R word, the one that makes us think of $Dollar signs and celebrities. Well this blog isn't going to be able to give away cash or pull winning numbers like the Lottery, BUT it CAN HELP you become RICH. Who doesn't like the idea of having money? There are no gimmicks, no fees, no magic ceremony or prayer. It's just a bunch of common sense that's typically over looked when we're thrust out into society. The things that Mom and Dad forgot to tell us because we're supposed to learn it naturally or they thought school took care of it.

Welcome to Adult at 18.