Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 11! Thank you so much for listening in! This episode provides you with a prioritized list of ways to spend stimulus money, but also other unusual lump sums you receive. Having a plan will help you make smart decisions. Ways to spend your stimulus money:<ul><li>Cover necessities</li><li>Get current on bills</li><li>Have a little bit of fun</li><li>Pay off non-mortgage debt</li><li>Invest in retirement</li><li>Save for a big purchase</li><li>Invest for your children</li><li>Pay down your mortgage</li><li>Invest in an ABLE account if eligible</li></ul>Resources:Read: <a href="https://www.balancedfi.com/smart-ways-to-use-your-stimulus-money/">Smart Ways to Use Your Stimulus Money</a> (initially written about the stimulus payment issued in early 2021)Read: <a href="https://www.balancedfi.com/start-here/">Financial Security Steps</a>Download: <a href="https://www.balancedfi.com/debtpayoffplanner">Debt Payoff Planner</a>Read: <a href="https://www.balancedfi.com/financial-security-step-2b/">Financial Security Step 2b, Begin Saving for Retirement</a>Sources:<a href="https://www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-acounts/">ABLE National Resource Center: About ABLE Accounts</a><a href="https://6abc.com/child-tax-credit-2021-irs-white-house-president-joe-biden/10817567/">ABC: White House launches public push for child tax credit: Here’s when the checks go out</a>

12. How to Create a Budget, Financial Security Step 6

The Balanced FI podcast is all about practical, real-world ways to pay off debt, save money, and balance life with financial goals. Each week your host, RaLea, dives into a family finance topic that will improve your life: the steps to financial security, debt payoff methods, easy ways to save money on everyday expenses, and more... all with a dose of intentional living, a dash of minimalism & a splash of the realities of parenting a child with disabilities.