Resources

Online and Local Resources

Learn about local and online resources. Find local resources on housing, utility bills, food pantries, senior resources and more in the greater Savannah Area. Read about our online tips on saving, budgeting, credit, retirement, and identity theft.

Other Financial Tips

Review our five top financial tips. 

1. Review your credit often.

Pull your credit report from all three credit bureaus at least once a year. Federal law requires each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – to give you a free credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com  

This website is the only website that provides your credit report for FREE. Pull your credit report to ensure that the information on all of your credit reports is correct and up to date. 

2. Know what makes a good credit score. 

A credit score is a 3-digit number that can influence credit available to you and what credit lenders will offer you.

35%     Payment History: Are you paying you credit accounts on time?

30%     Amounts Owed: Percentage of available credit that was borrowed.

10%     Length of Credit History: A longer credit history will increase your credit score. 

10%     New Credit: How often do you open new credit accounts?

15%     Types of Credit Used: What’s your mix of credit accounts?

To learn more about credit and credit scores visit myFICO.

3. Create a budget and stick to it. 

A budget is a plan that shows you how you can spend your money every month. Making a budget can help you make sure you do not run out of money each month.

Follow these steps on how to make a budget:

  1. Write down your expenses like bills, rent, and utilities.
  2. Write down how much money you make. This includes your paychecks and any other money you get, like child support or social security benefits.
  3. Subtract your expenses from how much money you make. This number should be more than zero. If it is less than zero, you are spending more money than you make. Therefore, look at your budget to see what you do not need and spend less money on those items.

4. Have an emergency fund. 

An emergency fund is an additional savings cash fund that is 3-6 months’ worth of your expenses. An emergency fund can help you plan for the unexpected. Life is unexpected. Job loss, illness, natural disasters, and more can be detrimental to your finances.

Having a specific, dedicated, savings fund will give you financial freedom to bounce back if you experience an emergency. 

5. Plan for retirement.

It’s never too early to plan for retirement. The important thing is to start planning – today! Your employer might have a retirement option. They may also match your contribution, so be sure to ask. You can also get a retirement account in addition to your employer’s. Set a goal and automate your payments, Start your retirement fund today.

Online Resources

Annual Credit Report

Annual Credit Report
For getting started with credit, start here. Importantly, federal law requires each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – to give you a free credit report every 12 months if you ask for it.

Opt Out PreScreen

Opt-Out Prescreen
Next, Opt-out from receiving credit card offers. Overall, this will prevent Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for credit card company offers.

Small Business Resources

Savannah SCORE
If you want to speak with a business mentor, the Savannah SCORE chapter provides free and confidential business consulting. In summary, his chapter has over 30 executive consultants who are knowledgeable in all aspects of a business.

Savannah Entrepreneurial Center (SEC)
Finally, the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center (SEC) aims to increase local business creation and support the economic empowerment of Savannah residents.  To summarize, they provide comprehensive business training and development services.

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