COLLEGE READINESS
College readiness means having the skill set and knowledge required to succeed during college. This includes being
college student. When we use the term college, we are referring to any form of training and education beyond high
school.
Financial Literacy
What is Financial Literacy?
your means.
Budgeting
sticking to it is a valuable skill to learn, and one you will use for the rest of your life. A budget tells you how much money
you are going to spend and what you are going to spend it on. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry! Use these tips to
learn how to budget.
TRANSITION 101 • CFWV.COM 7
Fixed Expenses
Tuition and fees, room and board or rent
Monthly subscriptions: internet, cell phone
Car loan, insurance and health care
Credit card accounts
Flexible Expenses
Snacks, drinks, groceries, and eating out
Social and recreation expenses, such as movies and sporting events
Transportation, including car maintenance and parking fees
Personal expenses, including laundry
QUICK TIP OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT
In addition to developing a budget, you should open a checking account if you do not already have one. Many
colleges allow you to link your account to auto-withdraw payments or auto-deposit any refunds you might
receive. If you decide to work while going to school, your employer may also prefer direct deposits. Should
you attend college in a new town, you may want to make sure your bank has a branch in that area to avoid
costly ATM bank transfer fees.
/CFWV.COM