Tool 3: Cash, paychecks, direct deposit, payroll cards, and EBT—
understanding the benefits and risks............................................................. 101
MODULE 9: Paying bills and other expenses ...................................................... 107
Paying bills..................................................................................................... 108
When cash is short: Prioritizing bills ............................................................. 111
Tool 1: Spending tracker................................................................................ 115
Tool 2: Bill calendar....................................................................................... 121
Tool 3: Strategies for cutting expenses ........................................................ 125
Tool 4: When cash is short—prioritizing bills and spending ....................... 129
MODULE 10: Managing cash flow......................................................................... 133
What is a cash flow budget? .......................................................................... 133
Making a cash flow budget ............................................................................ 134
Tool 1: Cash flow budget ............................................................................... 135
Tool 2: Cash flow calendar ........................................................................... 145
Tool 3: Improving cash flow checklist .......................................................... 149
MODULE 11: Dealing with debt ............................................................................. 157
What is debt? .................................................................................................. 157
Good debt, bad debt?...................................................................................... 157
Tool 1: Debt management worksheet........................................................... 169
Tool 2: Debt-to-income worksheet ............................................................... 173
Tool 3: Debt-reduction worksheet ................................................................ 177
Tool 4: Student loan debt .............................................................................. 181
Tool 5: When debt collectors call ................................................................. 185
MODULE 12: Understanding credit reports and scores ..................................... 193
What are credit reports? ................................................................................ 193
iii YOUR MONEY, YOUR GOALS: A FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT TOOLKIT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS