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Real Money 101

Good financial habits don't start after you leave school; they begin now. During school, you can develop the necessary skills that will assist you with money management. Before we get started, answer these 20 yes/no questions to learn if you control your money, or if your money controls you. The answers are listed after the questions. DON'T CHEAT!!!

  1. I start the week with money in my pocket, end the week with none and have no idea where it went.
  2. I can pay for everything I need.
  3. I pay my bills on time.
  4. I pay one credit card bill with a cash advance on another card.
  5. I charge daily living expenses, like shampoo.
  6. My idea of a budget has three categories: Big Macs, movies, and "miscellaneous".
  7. I rarely worry about money.
  8. I know how I spent my last paycheck.
  9. I often buy on impulse, figuring "you only live once".
  10. I spend more time planning for spring break than planning my finances.
  11. I haven't started investing because I can't seem to save up the couple thousand dollars I need to get started.
  12. I know what my income will be, whether or not it's regular.
  13. I have a plan to reach my money goals.
  14. I know how much I owe on my student loans.
  15. I have incorporated my estimated student loan payment in my budget. 
  16. Information on my credit report doesn't affect me.
  17. I should check my credit report every year.
  18. I apply for several credit cards at once, just in case I'm turned down. 
  19. All of my credit cards are at or near their credit limit.
  20. If my card is lost or stolen, and someone else uses it, I'm stuck with the bill.

The information in this book can help you get control of your finances even if you don't have a lot of money.
If you missed more than three questions, you may need to make some changes in how you manage your money.
It's time for you to contact HESAA's Default Prevention Task Force at (800) 792-8670.


Answer Key:
  1. No 
  2. Yes 
  3. Yes
  4. No
  5. No
  6. No
  7. Yes
  8. Yes
  9. No
  10. No
  11. No
  12. Yes 
  13. Yes
  14. Yes 
  15. Yes
  16. No
  17. Yes 
  18. No
  19. No
  20. No

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