Why Saving is Important
1. Saving is a trade-off. You trade spending now for the ability to spend in the future. The purpose of saving is to cover future expenses, whether you see them coming or not
2. Your future may include many unexpected expenses or opportunities. You can save for a major purchase or save to give more flexibility in your life choices.  Saving will help you meet your goals in life.

3. Having self-control will help you save.  One saving strategy is to pay yourself first.  If your income is uneven, plan to save a percentage of your income rather than a specific amount.

Investing Basics
1. Investing is a saving in a way that earns income. The income you earn on an investment is your return.
2. In general, the higher the potential rate of return, the greater the risk. To reduce your overall risk, you should diversify your investing among a variety of risk levels.
3. In making investment decisions, you should consider your current financial situation, your risk tolerance, your values and your family needs.

Managing Credit
What is Credit?
1. If you use credit, you give up the ability to spend in the future in order to spend now.  Because you must pay interest, you are giving up more future spending then the amount of the loan.
2. Using credit can be a good choice as long as you do not borrow more than you can comfortably repay.
3. Homes usually increase in value over time creating equity.
4. Investing in your training or education usually results in higher income.
5. When you use credit, do not take on more debt payments than 20 to 25% of your take-home pay.
6. You can get loans through banks, cooperatives, your life insurance policy, finance companies, and cash advance on your credit cards.
7. Stay away from lean sharks and other unlicensed agencies.

Managing your credit card
8. A credit card is one of the most expensive forms of borrowing. Interest rates are high and you often must pay an annual fee.
9. Control your credit costs by shopping for cards with low interest rates and annual fees, paying on time and not overcharging the credit limit.  Be on the lookout for promotions where you do not need to pay annual fees.
10. Pay debts on time
11. Pay off your compete balance every month or pay more than the minimum.
12. Read everything.
13. Stop unplanned purchases. Practice self-control with your credit cards.

Insurance Basics
1. Insurance helps you manage risk by limiting possible financial losses to an amount you can handle.
2. To insure something, it must be something of value that, if lost would cause you financial harm.
3. Your goal in buying insurance should be to protect yourself or your family from loss that could put you in financial difficulty.
4. Two basic type of insurance for consumers are personal and property insurance.