Budgeting Vocabulary (NGPF)

Match the following definitions to the correct vocabulary word.

• low income

• Money that is received from work, investments, business, etc.

• cost of living

• Money set aside for unanticipated expenses or loss of income.

• living wage

• Not having or earning much money.

• income

• The amount of money needed to sustain a certain level of living, including basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare; often used when comparing how expensive it is to live in one city versus another.

• emergency fund

• The lowest income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs.

Match the following definitions to the correct vocabulary word.

• wage

• A fixed amount that you are paid over a period of time, regardless of how many hours you work.

• net pay

• Total earnings after payroll taxes and other deductions have been taken out; also called take-home pay.

• deduction

• A set amount you are paid for every hour that you work; also called hourly pay.

• gross pay

• Total earnings before any deductions are taken.

• salary

• Any items subtracted from your paycheck, including state and federal income taxes, Social Security, health insurance or 401(k) contributions.

Match the following definitions to the correct vocabulary word.

• cash envelope budget

• A plan of your expected income and how you will use it to meet your expected expenses over a period of time.

• 50/30/20 budget

• A budgeting method that allocates 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.

• pay yourself first

• A budgeting method where every anticipated earning is assigned a role to be spent, saved, or invested somewhere, so there's no "leftover" money with no purpose.

• budget

• A strategy where you save a specified amount of your paycheck before doing anything with the rest of your money.

• zero-based budget

• A budgeting method where money for monthly spending is taken out in cash and placed in labeled envelopes according to budget categories. Spending occurs only from the corresponding envelopes.

Match the definitions to the correct vocabulary words.

• deficit

• Income that varies from week to week or month to month.

• variable income

• The cost for one item or measurement that allows it to be easily compared to other similar products to evaluate which is a better deal.

• unit price

• Income that remains the same from week to week or month to month.

• surplus

• When your expenses exceed your income.

• fixed income

• When your income exceeds your expenses and you have money leftover.

Match the definitions with the correct vocabulary words.

• utilities

• Items or services you pay for such as rent, groceries, entertainment, bills, etc.

• expenses

• A cost that a business or household can survive without if necessary. (Ex: going out to eat, streaming services)

• discretionary expense

• A cost that appears irregularly or that changes in amount (e.g., utility bills).

• fixed expense

• The basic services your home, apartment, or business needs to keep it comfortable and functioning properly (e.g. water, electricity, etc.).

• variable expense

• A cost that can be expected at regular intervals and that remains the same amount (e.g., monthly rent payment)

Match the definitions to the correct vocabulary words.

• residential lease

• Expenses that help you live more comfortably.

• downpayment

• Expenses that are essential for you to be able to live and function.

• wants

• A portion of the total cost of an item, such as a car or house, that must be paid at the time of purchase. The buyer will often take out a loan to finance the remaining balance.

• needs

• A contract between a tenant and a landlord providing the terms and costs for renting the property.

• public transportation

• Buses, trains, subways, and other forms of transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public.