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Glossary: family finances

Household budgets, savings, debt, and cash flow.

41 terms

  • family budget

    A plan for dividing monthly income into spending categories before the money is spent.

  • emergency fund

    Savings set aside specifically for unexpected costs, kept separate from the daily account.

  • cash flow

    The difference between money coming in and money going out in one period.

  • negative cash flow

    A condition where expenses are greater than income in a period.

  • expense category

    A grouping of expenses in a budget, such as food, transportation, or loan installments.

  • fixed expenses

    Expenses whose amount is relatively the same each month and hard to avoid.

  • variable expenses

    Expenses whose amount changes each month, such as shopping and recreation.

  • lifestyle

    Spending patterns for consumption that are not basic needs.

  • basic needs

    Essential spending for food, housing, health, and basic education.

  • wants

    Spending that can be postponed without disrupting basic needs.

  • financial goal

    A money target with a clear amount and deadline, such as a child's school fund.

  • short-term goal

    A financial goal to be achieved in less than one year.

  • long-term goal

    A financial goal with a deadline of several years, such as a pension fund.

  • savings

    Money set aside and not used for current consumption.

  • automatic savings

    Regular transfer of funds to a savings account without manual action.

  • piggy bank

    A place to keep loose change or daily savings at home.

  • joint account

    An account used jointly by family members for household expenses.

  • separate accounts

    Personal accounts not mixed with household money.

  • debt

    An obligation to pay a sum of money to another party due to a loan.

  • installment

    A regular debt payment in an agreed amount and on an agreed schedule.

  • interest

    An additional cost paid by a borrower on money borrowed.

  • compound interest

    Interest calculated also on the previous period's interest, so the balance grows faster.

  • fixed interest

    A loan interest rate that does not change for a certain period.

  • floating interest

    A loan interest rate that can rise or fall following the lender's policy.

  • effective interest

    Interest calculated on the remaining loan principal, not on the original principal.

  • flat interest

    Interest calculated on the original loan principal throughout the tenor.

  • tenor

    The length of time a loan must be repaid according to the agreement.

  • loan principal

    The amount of money borrowed before adding interest and other costs.

  • early repayment

    Paying off debt ahead of schedule, usually with certain fees.

  • late payment fee

    An extra charge applied because an installment is paid past its due date.

  • due date

    The final deadline for paying an installment or bill.

  • debt ratio

    The comparison of total installments to monthly income.

  • robbing Peter to pay Paul

    Borrowing new money to pay old debt, making the burden pile up further.

  • online loan

    An app-based loan whose license and interest must be checked before use.

  • credit card

    A buy-now-pay-later payment tool whose bill is paid off each month.

  • minimum payment

    The smallest amount that must be paid so a credit card is not considered overdue.

  • expense record book

    A daily record of money in and out to monitor spending habits.

  • education fund

    Money set aside specifically for children's school costs.

  • retirement fund

    Money gathered so living needs remain met after stopping work.

  • life insurance

    A product that provides compensation to the family if the breadwinner dies.

  • net income

    The money received after tax and other deductions.

Other categories

Education 41Inheritance & documents 42Insurance & risk 40Property & mortgages 31Family relationships 35

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