U.S. Personal Finance

US Money Basics — Everyday Guide

Clear, friendly steps to build calm money habits. No guilt, no jargon — just small wins each week.

Budget that sticks

Try 50/30/20 or envelopes — pick one approach and track weekly. Small consistency beats perfect plans.

Smart everyday shopping

Buy for frequency, longevity, and comfort — small upgrades save more over time than big impulse deals.

Emergency fund, calm mind

Start with $500 → $1,000 → one month’s essentials. Automate transfers; treat the fund like fireproof glass.

Debt plan you’ll follow

List balances, APRs, and minimums. Choose snowball (smallest first) or avalanche (highest APR). Automate what you can.