Take Charge America

Think you need a lot of extra money to start an emergency fund? You don't. Start with what your budget allows (even a small amount) and make it consistent. Try redirecting money from:

☕ One small weekly purchase
📺 A subscription you rarely use
🍔 One takeout meal
💵 A little from each paycheck

Small amounts can add up and give you a financial cushion when the unexpected happens.

Start small. Stay consistent. Build from there.

You have an extra $500 this month. Which would you choose?

💳 Pay down credit card debt
💰 Add it to your emergency savings
🏠 Put it toward a financial goal
🎉 Spend some and save the rest

There isn't always one right answer; your priorities and financial situation matter.

What would you do with the extra $500?

Some expenses aren’t unexpected, and they can be easy to forget. A sinking fund helps you save a little at a time for things like car repairs, holidays, or annual bills before they hit your budget.

Learn how to start one: https://cutt.ly/Jym4zwOQ

Making the minimum payment keeps your credit card account moving, but it may not get you out of debt quickly. When you carry a balance, interest can add up, and a larger portion of your payment may go toward interest rather than reducing what you owe.

If credit card payments are becoming difficult to manage, Take Charge America can help you understand your options.

Get started with free, confidential credit counseling.

TakeChargeAmerica.org | 866-750-9618

Thinking about buying a home? The process starts before you find the perfect house. Homebuyer education can help you understand your budget, credit, mortgage options and the costs that come with homeownership, so you're better prepared when it's time to buy.

Start your homebuying journey with Take Charge America.

Learn more at TakeChargeAmerica.org or call 866-987-2008.

New month. Fresh start! Take 10 minutes for an October money check-in:

✓ Check your account balances
✓ Review upcoming bills
✓ Look at your credit card balances
✓ Check your progress toward savings goals
✓ Adjust your budget if something changed

A quick check-in today can help prevent financial surprises later.

Need help getting your finances back on track? Take Charge America offers free, confidential credit counseling.

TakeChargeAmerica.org | 866-750-9618

Unexpected expenses have a way of showing up at the worst time. 😩

🚗 Car repairs
🏠 Home repairs
🏥 Medical bills
🐾 Pet emergencies

When the unexpected pressures your budget and makes credit card payments harder to manage, you don't have to figure out your options alone.

Take Charge America offers free, confidential credit counseling.

Get started at TakeChargeAmerica.org or call 866-750-9618.

A car breakdown can quickly become a financial emergency. From unexpected repairs to replacing a vehicle, having a plan can help protect your budget and keep you from making costly decisions under pressure.

Learn how to prepare: https://cutt.ly/wybC3Bqw

Building an emergency fund doesn't have to start with thousands of dollars.

Start with $10. Then $25. Then $50.

The first goal isn't perfection. It's creating the habit of setting something aside before the unexpected expense shows up. A small emergency fund may not cover everything, but it can give you another option besides reaching for a credit card.

Start where you are. Build from there.

$9.99 here. $14.99 there. $19.99 for the one you forgot you even had. Subscriptions can quietly become part of your monthly spending without getting much attention. Take 10 minutes today and check your bank or credit card statement for recurring charges. Keep the ones you use. Cancel the ones you don't. Then decide where that money could be more useful.

Tiny cleanup. Potentially useful savings.