Financial Basics

All Financial Basics Content

Young woman sitting at a laptop computer. She is reviewing a collection of bills.

PowerPay: Debt Management Tool

PowerPay is a free debt management tool created by Utah State University Extension. It helps users calculate how long it will take a person to pay off debt with multiple different plans.

A young couple reviewing their family budget on a clipboard.

Personal Financial Management During a Health Crisis

A health crisis can have both immediate and long-term impacts on our personal financial management. Take these steps to get control of your finances during a health crisis.

pair of hands reviewing a budget sheet with a calculator and pen

Budgeting With an Irregular Income

If you are a business owner, farmer, rancher, earn based on sales commissions, or are seasonally employed, you may not have consistent income from month to month.

Installing weather stripping around a window.

Save Money by Winterizing Your Home

Fall is the perfect time to begin preparing your home for colder winter temperatures and the higher energy costs that come with them. Learn some expert tips for preparing your home today!

Inflation concept diagram drawn on a blackboard.

Budget Adjustments When Inflation Impacts Prices

The prices of regularly purchased items have slowly increased over the past year due to inflation. When this happens, it is time to review your budget to make adjustments in spending.

Hands writing out a holiday budget on a notepad.

Planning for Holiday Expenses on a Tight Budget

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends sharing good food and gifts. Unfortunately, this time of sharing can create stress for individuals and families who are living on a tight budget. Planning ahead and making decisions about spending will help the holidays be more enjoyable.

A storage closet packed to the ceiling with hoarded items.

Understanding Hoarding and the Impact on a Healthy Home

Excessively acquiring items, even when there is limited space, is a sign of hoarding. Hoarding becomes dangerous when the surplus clutter impacts the ability to maintain a healthy home.

Public service loan forgiveness program paperwork.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Learn about the key qualifications for the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and view some helpful tools and resources for determining if you qualify.

A small, wooden house cutout with three stacks of coins to the right. The stacks are get larger as you go right.

Saving for Large Purchases

Large purchases involve setting goals, making plans and following a strategy to keep your savings plan on pace.

Graduation table display with photos, awards, and keepsakes. Courtesy: Matthew Beckler [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Graduation Presents

With graduation season upon us, consider gifting your high school or college graduate with the necessary medical, financial and legal paperwork they're need for the next stage of their lives.