Abby Maynard
Abby was the U.S. Country Manager a few years ago.
Biography
Abby was the U.S. Country Manager a few years ago.
Experience
- Country Manager
Budget
Ever wonder where your paycheck goes each month? You're not alone. U.S. adults correctly answer only [49%](https://carry.com/learn/how-financially-literate-is-america-key-stats) of **basic** financial questions, and Americans lose an average of $1,015 per person annually due to **financial knowledge gaps**. That's a collective **cost** exceeding $243 billion annually. The good news? Learning how to make a budget puts you back in control. With [53% of Americans](https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/emergency-savings-report/) living paycheck to paycheck and a median emergency savings balance of just $500, budgeting has never been more important. So what is budgeting, exactly? It's simply a plan for how you'll spend and save your money each month. Whether you're trying to budget money for beginners or refine an existing system, this guide covers the budgeting tips and methods you need to take control of your finances.
Reduce Debt
Americans now owe a record **$1.28 trillion** in credit card debt, with average APRs hovering around **23%**. On a typical **$6,500 balance**, making only minimum payments costs roughly **$1,500 in annual interest**. Below are five strategies - with real numbers - to help you cut that cost and get out of debt faster.