Budget Worksheet

Sponsored byThe Office of Student Services

at Boston College

Why do students need to know about personal

financial literacy?

Many students begin a pattern of creating debt during their college years and continue that pattern as adults. We believe that students should grow personally as well as academically while they are in school.

Managing money is part of personal growth, and by offering these workshops, we believe we are giving stu-dents a successful start on their financial future.

successfulstart@bc.eduwww.bc.edu/successfulstart

A. INCOME Financial Aid Net Income Savings Other Total Monthly Income

B. EXPENSES Clothing Clothes Laundry/Dry Cleaning Credit Card Payment/Debt Entertainment Food Groceries Eating out Personal Care/Hygiene Items Gym/Club Membership Dues Holiday/Special Occasions Medical/Dental/Expenses Rent Renter’s Insurance Student Loan Payment/Tuition Transportation Auto Gas Auto Insurance Auto Maintenance Auto Payment Auto Registration Parking Public Transportation Utilities Gas/Electric/Oil Water Telephone/Cell Other

Total Monthly Income Total Monthly Expenses

TOTAL INCOME LESS EXPENSES

MONTHLY

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MONTHLY

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Our ProgramMission Statement

Are you ready for the challenge?

Going to college can be an exciting time, full of oppor-tunity and freedom, especially if you are planning to live away from home for the first time. Aside from managing your academic life, part of the challenge of being on your own is learning to manage your expenses, that is, to live within your means, however limited, and to borrow and use credit wisely. This program addresses important top-ics that can help you meet the challenge of borrowing and using credit responsibly.

Workshops for our students include:

• Budgeting• Credit • Credit Cards • Financial Planning and Money Management • Student Loans • Financing for Study Abroad • Preparing your own Taxes • Preparing Financially for your First Apartment

Sample of popular workshops:

The ABC’s of Financial Planning Learn the basics of smart financial planning.Budgeting for Major Purchases How do you save for a car, house, or other major purchase?Student Loan Repayment Learn all the different options you have for paying back your student loans.Credit 101 Understanding your credit score and how to build credit.How to File Your Own Taxes A step-by-step look at how to prepare and file federal and state tax returns.Finance 101 Learn about different types of investments from a Certified Financial Planner and Adviser.

Interested in learning about money management in a one-on-one setting?

Successful Start offers Money Mentors who can help you establish a budget, learn about credit, and set real-istic savings goals. Mentors receive training in personal finance and then volunteer to provide individualized coaching for other students.

To be matched with a mentor or become a mentor yourself, e-mail money.mentors@bc.edu.

To create financially-literate Boston College students and to prepare them for financial management for life, the Successful Start program provides our students with a series of presentations related to all aspects of personal financial management.

Many students graduating from college have little or no instruction on these topics. Successful Start will intro-duce these topics through the use of workshops and seminars around the campus. The workshops will be led by Boston College employees and expert guest speakers.

“I became familiar with the vocabulary and strategies used in consolidation and credit management.”

“I learned what I needed to make informed financial decisions.”

“I know now how to shop around for a good credit card and what benefits would best fit my needs.”

“I wish I started coming to these sooner.”

Testimonials

Peer Money Mentors