Managing your finances through thoughtful and informed decisions is essential in today's world. But, sometimes it's not easy to balance saving for the future with the reality of everyday expenses. In this section you'll learn how careful planning can allow you to enjoy your lifestyle, plan for retirement, and survive the rough times...all at the same time.

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Budgeting & Financial Fitness
How's Your Credit?


Budgeting & Financial Fitness

Creating, and sticking with, a household budget can be very challenging. It can also be the starting place to help you on the way to a secure financial future as well as a way to control your expenses for a better life today.

1. Create a budget or review the one you have.
   Your budget can be as basic or complex as you want to make it, but it should always be flexible. Circumstances change, and your budget needs to change with them.
   • Review your money management plans with our Interactive Money Management Assistant.
   • Compare your income to your expenses using our Home Budget Calculator.
   
   
2. Consult a third party for an objective view of your financial situation.
   Get FREE Money Management Counseling through Ent's partnership with BALANCE^SM , a financial fitness program.
   
   
3. Review our Budget and Financial Fitness Related Articles
   • Successful Budgeting - How to Manage Your Money and Time,
     and Still Enjoy Your Life! (136 Kb PDF File)
   • Dream It and Achieve It – How to Set and Attain Financial Goals (90 Kb PDF File)
   • Nine Ways to Master Your Money (94 Kb PDF File)
   • Financial Fitness Checklist (118 Kb PDF File)
   
   
4. Money Management
   You can save money and reach your financial goals - all it takes is a money management plan. Money Management is the process of knowing where you are spending your money today, and having a well thought-out plan in place for where you want it to go in the future. BALANCE's Money Management Program  will cover the core concepts of money management, and will teach you how to:
   • Set Goals
   • Get Organized
   • Cut Spending Waste
   • Build a Budget
   • Save Money
   
   
5. Credit Matters
   Using credit wisely will help you achieve your goals while avoiding financial pitfalls. In today’s world, credit does indeed matter. In fact, obtaining and using different types of credit instruments is part of almost every American’s financial life. However, because it is so easy to make expensive mistakes that can follow you for a long time, it is a good idea to learn how to borrow wisely from the beginning. BALANCE's Credit Matters Program  will cover the core concepts of credit usage, including:
   • What is Credit?
   • Getting Started
   • Using Credit to Your Advantage
   • Delete Your Debt
   • Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
   
   
6. High Cost of Financial Services
   Identify high-cost financial services and the steps necessary to qualify for credit alternatives. While there are many excellent financial products available that can help you achieve your goals, there are a few loans, lines of credit, and services to avoid because of their expensive fees and problematic terms. To help you make wise borrowing and financial service choices, BALANCE's Program on High Cost of Financial Services  will cover:
   • Prime credit, subprime credit, and predatory lending
   • Types of subprime credit products: payday loans, finance companies and other high cost loans, expensive credit cards, and car-title loans
   • Types of fringe financial services: check-cashing services and rent-to own retailers
   • Recovery methods
   • Financial alternatives
   
   

1. Look at your debts.
   Review your loans, their monthly/periodic payments, and their rates. Pay down high interest rate debts first; you'll get more bang for your buck by avoiding higher financing charges.
   
   
2. Review your credit report every year.
   The FACT Act (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act) makes all Americans over the age of 18 eligible to receive one free credit report from the three credit reporting agencies.
   
   There are two simple ways to get your free Credit Report:
   • Go to www.annualcreditreport.com , or
   • Call this toll free number: 1-877-FACTACT (1-877-322-8228).
   
   
   
3. Consider Debt Consolidation
   Sometimes, consolidating outstanding debts into one loan can reduce not only your total monthly/periodic payment, but also the total interest amount you pay. Whether it's consolidating credit card debts onto the card with the lowest rate or rolling your debts into a loan with a lower rate and payment, use our debt consolidation calculator to see if debt consolidation might be right for you. If it is, you might want to consider a secured or unsecured Personal Loan or a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit.
   
   
4. Need Help?
   Get FREE Debt Management Counseling and Credit Report Reviews through Ent's partnership with BALANCE^SM , a financial fitness program.
   
   
5. Credit problems in the past? Is your credit ready for a new loan?
   At Ent, we understand that bad things can happen to good people, and their credit. If you've had credit problems in the past, we've created an online quiz to help you assess if your credit is ready for a new loan. Take our online
   credit readiness quiz today...
   
   
6. Are you having trouble making your Ent mortgage or vehicle loan payments?
   We understand that in today's economic environment more members than ever before are facing loan payment issues. Don't wait until it's too late! If you think you may start falling behind, contact an Ent Member Solutions Specialist today via email or by phone at 800-525-9623 x. 5610 for assistance with: protecting your credit, making payment arrangements, and potentially avoiding foreclosure and/or repossession.

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