Your First Paycheck in Massachusetts: A Teen Guide
Understand gross pay, take-home pay, and payroll deductions in Massachusetts, with a worked $300 paycheck example and a checklist for spotting errors.
Read guideThe Money Moves MA blog
Money guides for students.
First paychecks. First accounts. Decisions that deserve a clear explanation. Practical examples from a student-led financial education project in Massachusetts.
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First jobs
How to Budget When Your Part-Time Hours Change
Build a student budget around changing shifts, with a four-week example, a minimum-income plan, and a way to handle extra pay without overspending.
Read guideYour First Car Budget: Costs Beyond the Payment
Estimate the full cost of a first car with a student budget covering insurance, fuel, maintenance, upfront costs, and a worked savings target.
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Banking & saving
APY vs. Interest Rate: What Your Savings Actually Earn
Learn the difference between APY and an interest rate, compare a $1,000 savings example, and see when monthly fees outweigh a higher advertised yield.
Read guideEmergency Fund vs. Sinking Fund: A Student Example
Separate unexpected expenses from planned purchases, calculate weekly savings targets, and build a realistic starter cushion on a student income.
Read guideHow to Choose a Teen Bank Account
Compare a teen checking account using fees, age rules, ATM access, overdrafts, and deposit insurance. Includes a realistic small-balance comparison.
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Credit & college
How to Build Credit at 18 Without Paying Interest
Understand credit-card eligibility under 21, secured cards, statement balances, and utilization using a small first-account example.
Read guideBuy Now, Pay Later: Why Four Small Payments Add Up
See how overlapping pay-in-four purchases affect a student budget, with a payment calendar and questions to ask before accepting a BNPL loan.
Read guideCompare College Aid Offers: Find the Real Price
Compare college financial aid using net price, separate loans and work-study, and check four-year costs with a clear two-school example.
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Investing
Can a Teen Open a Roth IRA? Earned Income Comes First
Learn how teen Roth IRA eligibility works, why earned income matters, and how the 2026 contribution limit interacts with a part-time job.
Read guideIndex Funds for Beginners: Risks, Fees, and Holdings
Understand index funds, ETFs, diversification, fees, and market risk with simple examples before deciding whether investing fits your goals.
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Scam safety
Fake Package, Toll, and Bank Texts: How to Check
Use a practical checklist to spot suspicious payment texts, verify a message safely, and respond if you already shared a password or card details.
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