Family Finances — Section Intro | SmartPath
SmartPath · Family Finances

Money Skills for
the Whole Family

At the Alpaugh Family Economics Center, our mission is to provide children and their parents with the lessons and resources to make better, more informed financial decisions — together. We've put together this collection of free, interactive tools that families can explore side by side, from the kitchen table to the classroom.

Whether you're building your first budget, trying to understand why starting to save early matters so much, or making a big decision like financing a car, these resources are designed to make the numbers clear and the concepts real. Each tool is grounded in guidance from trusted federal sources — the SEC, the CFPB, and the U.S. Department of Labor — and draws on the same research-backed content we use in our financial wellness workshops.

Building a family budget Emergency savings Short- & long-term goals The power of compound interest Payday loan pitfalls Financing a car Credit scores explained Teaching kids about money
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About the Alpaugh Family Economics Center

The Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati has been advancing economic and financial education for over 50 years. Our SmartPath platform provides free, award-winning, standards-aligned resources for students, parents, and educators across Ohio and beyond.

Financial Wellness Workshop Presentation May 2026
Budgeting Basics | SmartPath Family Finances
Module 1 · Budgeting

Budgeting Basics

Enter your monthly take-home pay to see your personalized 50/30/20 budget.

$
Tip: Use your actual net pay — what hits your bank account, not your gross salary.
Mode:
Standard: 50% Needs · 30% Wants · 20% Savings — balanced for most households.
Top 4 Spending Leaks to Check
$520/yr
Unused subscriptions
Cancel what you don't use
$1,460/yr
Daily coffee shop
Make at home 4 of 5 days
$3,500+/yr
Dining out
Avg household restaurant spend
$1,800/yr
Convenience stops
$3–5 daily adds up fast
Financial Wellness Workshop Presentation May 2026 (3)