Topic 1 of 10

Money Foundations: Plan, Track, and Save

Build a spending plan that works for real DC-area households, including uneven income and money sent to family, and start an emergency fund from zero.

Lessons: 2 About 29 min in total

These lessons build on the budgeting and saving parts of the Money Smart for Adults class. You will see a full spending plan for a DC-area worker with tips, cash work, and family in another country, and a week-by-week plan to save your first $500. Each lesson ends with a short practice quiz.

Builds on Money Smart for Adults

  • Module 1: Your Money Values and Influences
  • Module 3: Your Income and Expenses
  • Module 4: Your Spending and Saving Plan
  • Module 5: Your Savings

Start the first lesson

Lessons in this topic

  1. Build a Spending Plan That Fits Your Real Life

    A step-by-step monthly plan for a sample DC-area household, including tips, cash work, uneven paychecks, and money sent to family.

    About 15 min Quiz questions: 5

  2. Start an Emergency Fund from Zero

    Practical ways to save your first $500, where to keep it safely, and how to refill it after you use it.

    About 14 min Quiz questions: 6