APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
The yearly cost of a loan or credit card, including interest and fees, expressed as a percentage. A lower APR means lower borrowing costs.
Budget
A financial plan that tracks income and expenses over a specific period. A budget helps you allocate money intentionally and achieve financial goals.
Compound Interest
Interest earned on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. Einstein reportedly called it 'the eighth wonder of the world.'
Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
Your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income, expressed as a percentage. Lenders use DTI to assess creditworthiness.
Emergency Fund
Savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or income loss. Financial experts recommend 3-6 months of living expenses.
FICO Score
A credit score ranging from 300-850 that measures creditworthiness. Higher scores (740+) qualify for better interest rates.
Gross Income
Total earnings before taxes and deductions. Used to calculate debt-to-income ratio and tax liability.
HSA (Health Savings Account)
A tax-advantaged account for medical expenses, available with high-deductible health plans. Contributions are tax-deductible and grow tax-free.
Inflation
The rate at which prices for goods and services rise over time, reducing purchasing power. Average US inflation is 2-3% annually.
Liquidity
How quickly an asset can be converted to cash without losing value. Savings accounts are highly liquid; real estate is not.
Net Worth
Your total assets minus total liabilities. The ultimate measure of financial health and wealth accumulation.
Opportunity Cost
The potential benefit forfeited when choosing one option over another. Spending $5 daily on coffee costs $1,825 yearly in savings.
Principal
The original amount of money borrowed or invested, excluding interest. Paying down principal reduces future interest charges.
Roth IRA
A retirement account funded with after-tax dollars. Withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, making it ideal for long-term growth.
Savings Rate
The percentage of your income that you save. A 20% savings rate means saving $20 for every $100 earned.
Sinking Fund
Money set aside regularly for a specific future expense (e.g., car replacement, vacation). Prevents debt when the expense arrives.
Tax-Advantaged Account
An account offering tax benefits, like 401(k), IRA, or HSA. Contributions may be tax-deductible, and growth is tax-deferred or tax-free.
Variable Expenses
Costs that fluctuate month-to-month (groceries, entertainment, utilities). Tracking these reveals spending patterns.
Wealth
The accumulation of assets that generate income or appreciate over time. True wealth provides financial freedom and security.
Zero-Based Budgeting
A budgeting method where every dollar of income is assigned a specific purpose. Income minus expenses equals zero.