Money

One of the keys to a sound financial strategy is spending less than you take in, and then finding a way to put your excess to work. A money management approach involves creating budgets to understand and make decisions about where your money is going. It also involves knowing where you may be able to put your excess cash to work.

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Your Cash Flow Statement:

Slide Presentation: Your Cash Flow Statement

Understanding money matters and managing your cash flow are an integral part of any sound financial management strategy. Effectively managing your cash flow can free up capital to save and invest—assets you can put to work—helping you pursue your financial goals.

Your Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough?

Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you are driving to work, you see smoke coming from under your hood. Bad things happen to the best of us, and sometimes it seems like they come in waves. That is when an emergency cash fund can come in handy.

1. Consider how much money you wish your emergency fund to be because the ideal amount may depend on your financial situation and lifestyle.

2. Determine how you will come up with the cash by budgeting and creating a monthly savings plan.

3. Think about where you want to put your savings, such as a savings account.