Personal Finance Basics

Tracking income and expenses realistically Creating a simple monthly budget you can follow Dealing with irregular or seasonal income Adjusting your budget when life changes

Understanding good debt versus bad debt How credit scores are calculated and used Strategies for paying down high-interest debt Checking your credit report and disputing errors

Why an emergency fund matters at any income level How much to aim for and where to keep it Automating savings with small, regular amounts Balancing debt repayment with saving goals

Difference between saving and investing Stocks, bonds, and index funds in plain language Risk, time horizon, and diversification Common investing mistakes to avoid early on