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Understanding what you are working toward will help you build a budget to meet your needs. Do you want to pay down debt? Are you saving for a major purchase? Are you just looking to be more financially stable? Identify your top priorities so that you can build your budget to fit them. A smart budget is one that doesn’t overextend your means. Start by calculating your total monthly income. Include not just the money you get from work but any cash you get from things like side-hustles, alimony, or child support. If you share expenses with your partner, calculate your combined income to figure out a household budget. You should aim to have your overall monthly spending not exceed what you bring in. Emergencies and unforeseen occasions happen, but try to set a goal of not using your credit card to cover non-necessary items when your bank balances are low. Your first priority in building a better budget should be those things that need to be paid every month. Paying these expenses should be your first priority, as these items are not only necessary for daily activities but could also damage your credit if you fail to pay them in full and on time.  Such expenses may include your mortgage or rent, utilities, car payments, and credit card payments, as well as things like your groceries, gas, and insurance. Set up your bills on autopay to make them easy to prioritize. This way the money comes out of your account on the day the bill is due. Set up autopay only if you're sure you'll have enough money each month to pay those bills in full. Budgets work best when they reflect your daily life. Take a look at your regular, non-essential expenses, and build them into your budget so that you can anticipate your spending. If you get a coffee every morning on the way to work, for example, throw that into your budget. Creating a budget will help you identify things you can cut from your regular expenses and roll into your savings or debt payments. Investing in a good coffee pot and a mug, for example, can help you save on your morning fix for years to come.  Don’t forget your longer-term expenses. Check things like insurance policies, and see if there are places you can scale back. If you are paying for collision and comprehensive insurance on an old car, for example, you may opt to scale back to liability insurance only. A budget is a guideline for your overall spending habits. Your actual spending will vary each month depending upon your personal needs. Track your spending by using an expenses journal, a spreadsheet, or even a budgeting app to help you ensure that you are staying within your means each month.  If you do exceed your budget goals, don’t beat yourself up. Use the opportunity to see if you need to revise your budget to include new expenses. Remind yourself that getting off-target happens to everyone occasionally and that you can still get to where you want to be. Exactly how much you save will depend upon your job, your personal expenses, and your individual financial goals. Aim to save something each month, however, whether it’s $50 or $500. Keep that money in a savings account separate from your primary bank account so that it doesn't accidentally get spent.   This savings should be separate from your 401(k) or any other investments that you have. Building a small general-savings balance will help you protect yourself financially if an emergency comes up, such as a major repair on the house or unexpectedly losing your job. Many financial experts recommend a target savings of six months’ worth of expenses. If you have a lot of debt you need to pay down, aim for a partial emergency fund of two months' expenses. Then focus the rest of your cash on your debt.

summary: Set your financial goals. Look at your overall monthly income. Calculate your necessary expenses. Factor in your non-essential expenses. Look for places to make cuts. Track your monthly spending. Build some savings into your budget.


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It is often more difficult to reject someone after a date than it is to reject someone you've never gone out with. Sometimes, however, it takes a date to figure out that you really aren't interested.  Say something like, “I'm sorry. I just didn't really feel a connection on our date. Hope you find someone great!” If you aren't attracted to him but want to be friends say, “I had a lot of fun with you, but I didn't really feel a romantic connection. Would you like to be friends with me?” Asking him if he wants to be friends is straightforward and lets him know that even though you don't want to date, you still appreciate interactions with him. Once you know that you're not into a guy, you should let him know. The longer you wait to tell him you don't want to go out again, the more difficult it will become.  If you've only been out on a date or two, it's fine to tell him you're not interested in a text message. That way, you can craft a tactful message, and he doesn't have to feel embarrassed in person. However, if you know you're not interested at the end of your first date, go ahead and let him know. Before you part ways, say something like, “Hey. Just so you know I don't think there's really anything here for me, but I'm glad we got the chance to go out.” This will save you from agonizing over when to tell him. Once you've told him that you're no longer interested, don't keep talking to him. Even if you both want to be friends, it can be good to have a little distance at first.  If he continually texts you after you've rejected him, it's okay to ignore the messages. If you do talk to him, be careful to avoid flirting or confusing him.

summary: Speak in a friendly way and be straightforward. Tell him sooner rather than later. Keep your distance.


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Some carriers will let people with no or poor credit sign up for a plan, but you must pay a security deposit first. For example, T-Mobile lets consumers with the best credit buy an iPhone for around $27 a month. However, if you have poor credit, you can pay $360 upfront and then make monthly payments.  To estimate your security deposit, use an online security deposit calculator. You need to know your credit score to use the calculator. You can get your score from myfico.com for a small fee, or you can use a free online service such as Credit Karma. Stop into any store and apply, or apply online at the carrier's website. You typically must provide the following information when you apply.  personal identification, such as a driver's license or other government-issued ID telephone number email address delivery address tax identification number The carrier will check your credit and then contact you about a security deposit. Typically, you must pay your deposit before the carrier will activate your plan. Some carriers won't even let you pay a security deposit. Instead, carriers have created prepaid plans for people with bad credit, so don't be surprised if you are rejected. Your carrier will probably refund your deposit if you pay your bills consistently for a year. They should pay simple interest on the deposit, so you'll get back a little more than you paid in. Make sure to pay your bill in full and on-time.
summary: Calculate your security deposit. Apply for a plan. Pay your security deposit. Receive a refund of your security deposit.