centsandcommon

Money basics, in plain English

The money basics nobody taught you, explained in plain English.

Plain-English guides to reading your pay stub, choosing bank accounts, understanding your credit report and score, and avoiding the fees and loans that cost young adults the most.

Decode your pay stub Check your utilization

Pay stub, decodedEvery two weeks

Gross pay$2,000

  • Federal income tax withheld from your W-4-$170
  • Social Security 6.2%-$124
  • Medicare 1.45%-$29
  • State income tax varies by state-$70
  • 401(k) your savings-$100
  • Health insurance your share-$85

Net pay, in your account$1,422

An illustrative example. Your deductions depend on your state, W-4 and benefits.

Start with one of these

GuideYour pay stubEvery line, explained. CalculatorCredit utilizationHow much of your limits you're using. GlossaryMoney wordsThirty terms in plain English.

15 money basics guides

Your paycheck

Bank accounts

Credit

Money habits

Free download, no email needed

The Money Basics Workbook

Decode your pay stub, sketch a first budget, check your bank accounts for fees, review your credit reports and write down three goals.

Get the free PDFSee the Money Basics checklist

Coming soon

The money basics, in 10 plain-English lessons

Common Sense Money Course: a short course on paychecks, bank accounts, budgeting, credit and saving, with a worksheet for each lesson and no jargon.

$29 once, for all 10 lessons. 30-day refund.

See the lessons