Financial Education News

June is here! The season of sunshine, road trips and well-earned getaways. But this year, let’s give vacation a smart twist. Instead of coming home to credit card bills and budget regret, imagine returning refreshed and financially confident. June is your chance to explore, unwind and make memories, without losing sight of your goals. With a little planning and a lot of intention, you can enjoy every moment of summer while keeping your wallet happy. Because the best trips aren’t just unforgettable, they’re affordable too. Set a Realistic Vacation Budget Start with a clear number. Review your monthly income, bills ...

May is one of the most celebrated months of the year, filled with commencement ceremonies happening around the country. Students of all ages are awaiting their moment on stage to be acknowledged for the hard work and dedication it took to reach this milestone. Oklahoma Money Matters wants you to focus on celebrating your accomplishments, without added stress about financial planning as you move into your next chapter. To financially plan after graduation, focus on establishing a strong foundation by managing your net income, tackling debt and considering long-term investments. Create a Budget Based on Net Pay: Determine your actual ...

Financial literacy is an ongoing initiative of Oklahoma Money Matters, but the month of April is a time to specifically highlight and celebrate the benefits of understanding money and learning how to manage it well. This month, we return to the basics and provide the foundational tenets of financial literacy. Knowing these four principles will guide you regardless of where you are on your journey. Budgeting What it is: Creating a plan for how you earn, spend and save money. Why it matters: Helps you live within your means and avoid financial stress. Key points: Track income and expenses Prioritize ...

Welcome to the March edition of Oklahoma Money Matters’ Financial Friday!  You’ve worked hard all semester, and you want to enjoy your spring break with a getaway. What you don’t want is to return to campus with empty pockets and debt looming over you from treating yourself beyond your means. Here are five practical steps to enjoy some rest and relaxation without financial burden.1. Set a realistic total budget This is your spending guardrail. Think about how much money you can spend after covering essentials like rent, groceries and upcoming bills. Consider what’s coming up after break, too — textbooks, ...

Finding someone that you want to spend your life with is a wonderful feeling. However, the excitement that comes with planning your future can cause you to overlook key lifestyle differences, especially when it comes to how each of you approaches money. OKMM understands this challenge and is here to help. Explore these financial literacy conversation starters to help you connect with your partner. Financial Transparency - Share all financial information openly — income, debts, credit scores, spending habits, even financial anxieties.Why sharing financial information matters: Secrecy around money is one of the top predictors of relationship conflict.What this looks like: Review credit ...

Building new money management skills and paying off debt is absolutely an attainable goal, with the right systems and habits. Here are some practical strategies you can start using right away, whether you’re tackling credit cards, student loans or just trying to feel more in control of your money. Get a clear look at your numbers. Before any budgeting strategy works, you need a clear understanding of your financial situation. Awareness reduces anxiety, and this step alone often lowers stress and reduces impulsive spending. Make a list of every debt you have, including the balance, interest rate, minimum payment, and ...

Welcome to the December edition of Financial Friday, Oklahoma Money Matters' online personal finance newsletter. The holidays should be a time of joy, not stress — but nothing sparks anxiety faster than mounting expenses from overspending. Discover practical tips to keep your season merry and bright while maintaining financial peace of mind. While the holiday season can bring joy and fellowship, it can also evoke feelings of doubt, worry and panic when it comes to finances. There is societal pressure to have it all together and to assess how much we care for one another through consumerism this time of ...

With the new year upon us, many of us start reflecting on our financial goals for the coming months. You're not alone if managing and reducing debt is on your resolutions list. Creating a realistic plan can give you peace of mind while you work toward your goal. Consider these tips to help you build a strategy for success: The emergence of social media has brought on a wave of self-proclaimed experts in debt management and wealth building. These gurus will present a masterclass and a few affirmations, and their consumers will feel like failures when their methods don’t work. This is ...

You’re not alone. Many parents are concerned about paying for college and often assume that they make too much money to qualify for financial aid programs. Here are some helpful tips. Fill out the FAFSA anyway. Your daughter should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 during her senior year of high school. It’s free to submit and serves as her first step in the financial aid process. The FAFSA determines your family’s eligibility for aid, like federal and state grants, some types of scholarships, work-study opportunities and federal student loans. Most applicants qualify for some type ...

First, take a deep breath. Your feelings are valid, and you are not alone. We all can encounter financial challenges from time to time, and stress can affect every part of our lives. According to data from the National College Health Assessment, 75% of U.S. students have experienced moderate to high financial distress in the past year. While there is no cure-all method to eliminate all financial hardships or the negative feelings that come with them, please consider these tips to reduce stress, and to help take control of your budget. Prioritize what’s within your control: If you’ve completed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), received ...

A new school year, for both parents and students, offers an opportunity to reflect on where you've been and to make plans for your future goals. By identifying that you don't know where to start and seeking help, you've already made progress in improving the situation. Consider these steps to get you closer to your financial goals this year. Evaluate where you are before you do any spending: I know it’s tempting to participate in all the back-to-school shopping sales, but are you really getting a bargain if you’re further in debt after the purchase? If an unexpected expense occurs during the school ...

With proper planning, summertime can mean fun in the sun, family adventures and relaxing getaways. However, the absence of a plan and savings, can mean boredom and no means to decompress. Saving money for future goals can seem daunting and difficult, especially when there are more expenses than income. Please know that you are not alone. A little patience and a lot of discipline can make your summer fun dreams come true. Here are some ways to help you set aside that little bit extra. Prioritize your spending. Only you can decide the non-negotiables in your life, but it’s a common ...

With proper planning, summertime can mean fun in the sun, family adventures and relaxing getaways. However, the absence of a plan and savings can mean boredom and no means to decompress. Saving money for future goals can seem daunting, and difficult, especially when there are more expenses than income. Please know that you are not alone. A little patience and a lot of discipline can make your summer fun dreams come true. Here are some ways to help you set aside that little bit extra. Save your change. Whatever you have left in your pockets at the end of the day, ...

With student loan repayments resuming May 5, 2025, many people are left wondering if completing their education will be a possibility. Students begin school with the best of intentions, but then life happens. Unfortunately, between events like getting married, having kids or focusing on a career, time has passed and earning your college degree gets lost in the shuffle. By the time you decide to go back to school, you may feel you’ve lost too much time or any advantage you might have had when you were younger. Luckily, it’s not too late; earning your degree is an achievable goal. Below are some college financing ...

Great question, thank you! The onset of April showers reminds us how important it is to have a “Rainy Day” fund. This economic climate has left many families feeling overwhelmed with expenses, with no wiggle room in their budgets. Now, more than ever, it is important to examine our finances with a magnifying glass and try our best to find ways to save for those unexpected events. There’s nothing worse than trying to process the emotional toll of a serious illness, natural disaster or the unexpected loss of a job while also facing financial uncertainty. Look at some ways you can create and supplement ...

March Madness is not only for basketball but can also be used to describe the influx of financial aid offers for college bound students. This is the time to explore your academic options from a monetary lens. You have the right question and have come to the right place. Your award offer will list all the types of financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Depending on your eligibility status, you’ll have the option to accept grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. You’ll need to compare your tuition and other school-related expenses to the financial aid you’re offered to determine how much of the funds you actually ...

The majority of Americans spend hundreds of hours planning a wedding—what colors to use, who to invite, what kind of cake to serve—but seldom plan for their marriage. So, kudos to you for thinking about your financial future as Mr. and Mrs.! As part of your prenuptial planning, consider the following tips to help ensure marital—and financial—bliss. Discuss your goals and values. The majority of financial plans are based on long-term goals, so it’s important to discuss your values and priorities. Work together to develop a family financial plan that reflects those objectives, and put it into practice before you say “I do.” Review each other’s credit ...

Assess the current situation: Start by gathering all your debt information. List each debt, including credit cards, personal loans, student loans, and other liabilities. Note the balance, interest rate and minimum monthly payment for each. This may seem scary initially, but you'll be glad you did this when you start to see progress. Create a budget: A well-structured spending plan is essential. Start by calculating your monthly income and tracking your expenses. Categorize your spending into fixed expenses (rent, utilities, groceries) and discretionary expenses (dining out, entertainment). Having it written out can help identify areas where you can cut back and reallocate ...

Open enrollment is the designated period each year when you can enroll in or change your health insurance plan. Typically occurring in the fall, this window allows you to adjust your coverage based on your changing needs. Consider these steps when considering your options. Review your current benefits: Start by evaluating your existing health insurance plan. Consider what worked well over the past year, and what didn't. Did you have adequate coverage for your medical needs? Were your out-of-office costs manageable? Assess your and your family's needs: Consider any changes affecting your health coverage needs. Have you or your family members developed ...

The festive season has come and gone, and you might be left with more than just memories — perhaps a lingering holiday debt hangover. If overspending has left you in financial distress, don't fear; there are steps you can take to fix the situation and ensure it doesn't happen again. Step 1: Face the Numbers. Start by understanding the extent of your debt. Take a close look at what you owe and the associated interest rates. Quick repayment is key to minimizing interest charges. Be cautious of debt consolidation offers, as they often come with fees and high interest rates. ...