The amount you earn before taxes and withholding.

Federal government agency the insures bank deposits up to $250,000

The amount you pay to borrow money.

A debt investment in, or loan you make to, a company that pays interest over a specific period of time.

What you use that keeps you from buying something you don't need with money you don't have.

Something you must have to survive. The alternative to a want.

The charge you pay for the use of borrowed money.

The amount a lender may require you to pay in cash in order to qualify for a loan.

An investment strategy of spreading your principal around over different vehicles to reduce risk.

A sense of pride in oneself, self-respect.

Expenses that are the same every month, quarter or year.

A record of deposits and withdrawals in your checking account so you always know how much money you have.

A detailed record of all the ways you have used credit and how you have handled it in the past.

What you get back on an investment measured by either increase or decrease of value.

The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.

The amount you receive in your pay check after deductions for taxes and other withholdings.

Authorizing the payment or transfer of more money than is in your checking account.

The smallest amount you may pay on a credit card debt and still remain in good standing.

What you buy from a company that makes you a part owner and gives you voting privileges.

What you buy to protect yourself from a potentially devastating financial loss.

A written plan for managing your expenses that helps you to avoid debt.

A way to place money in a bank account where you earn interest but pledge not to withdraw it for a specified amount of time.

A loan for which the borrower does not provide collateral.

What people do with money in order to gain a greater return than they may get from just saving.

The company whose ratings lenders use to determine if you're a good credit risk or not.