{"id":4033,"date":"2022-01-10T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/?p=4033"},"modified":"2023-09-01T14:22:47","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T19:22:47","slug":"budgeting-for-teens-tips-and-free-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/budgeting-for-teens-tips-and-free-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Budgeting for Teens: Tips and Free Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Driver\u2019s licenses, first jobs, school dances and college searches: your teen years are full of important milestones. They also tend to be more financially focused, with your first big purchases and glimpses of adulthood on the horizon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Budgeting can help you smartly manage your money and new responsibilities. However, if you\u2019re new to earning money and making monthly payments, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are seven budgeting basics that can help set you up for success in your teen years and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4247a6-94 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4247a6-94 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4247a6-94 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_4247a6-94 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Income<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you can decide what to do with your money, it\u2019s important to understand where it\u2019s coming from and how much you have available. Income might be easier to determine if you have a full-time job with a regular paycheck, but teens and young adults who don\u2019t traditionally have salaried positions or who may not receive a pay stub might have a harder time picturing what\u2019s coming in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the time to think through where your money comes from. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Income Can Be\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8:not(.this-stops-third-party-issues){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list:not(.this-prevents-issues):not(.this-stops-third-party-issues):not(.tijsloc){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list{grid-row-gap:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap .kt-svg-icon-list-single{margin-right:10px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-0 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-1 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-2 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-3 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-4 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-iconlist kt-svg-icon-list-items kt-svg-icon-list-items_846b00-f8 kt-svg-icon-list-columns-1 alignnone\"><ul class=\"kt-svg-icon-list\"><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Earned from a part-time job<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Earned through tips and bonuses<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-2\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Given as part of an allowance<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-3\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Received as a gift<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-4\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Paid directly to you if you run a side-hustle or small business (babysitting, dog-walking, lawn-mowing, etc.)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gross vs. Net Income<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Hang on \u2014 I\u2019m supposed to earn $10 an hour, and I worked 10 hours this week. Why isn\u2019t my paycheck $100?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An important aspect of income that might surprise you when you get your first paycheck is the difference between gross and net income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><strong>Gross income<\/strong> is the money an employee earns before payroll deductions, like taxes and benefits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><strong>Net income<\/strong> is what remains after deductions are taken. This amount is what the employee actually takes home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re calculating your budget, make sure you focus on your net income \u2014 that\u2019s the number you\u2019ll actually receive and can spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Expenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While making money is great, bracing yourself for expenses can be a bummer. Making a plan ahead of time for how you\u2019ll spend your money can help you cover the necessities while allowing you to see what\u2019s free to use in more fun ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expenses Can Be\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81:not(.this-stops-third-party-issues){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list:not(.this-prevents-issues):not(.this-stops-third-party-issues):not(.tijsloc){margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list{grid-row-gap:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-iconlist.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap .kt-svg-icon-list-single{margin-right:10px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-0 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-1 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}.kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 ul.kt-svg-icon-list .kt-svg-icon-list-level-2 .kt-svg-icon-list-single svg{font-size:20px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-iconlist kt-svg-icon-list-items kt-svg-icon-list-items_ebf071-81 kt-svg-icon-list-columns-1 alignnone\"><ul class=\"kt-svg-icon-list\"><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-0\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Bills that are sent directly to you (phone bills, car insurance, tuition, subscription services, etc.)<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-1\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Bills you might indirectly help with (ex: paying a percentage of a family phone plan to your parents, paying your roommate your share of the rent, etc.)<\/span><\/li><li class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-style-default kt-svg-icon-list-item-wrap kt-svg-icon-list-item-2\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-single kt-svg-icon-list-single-fe_dollarSign\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"1\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"23\"><\/line><path d=\"M17 5H9.5a3.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 7h5a3.5 3.5 0 0 1 0 7H6\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><span class=\"kt-svg-icon-list-text\">Other consistent and irregular payments that you\u2019re responsible for (gas, grooming, food and drink, entertainment, clothes, etc.)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Income and expenses can change month-to-month. Reviewing your budget regularly can help you have a more accurate picture of where your money is going throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tracking the Cash Flow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tracking your money with a budget allows you to see how far it\u2019s going and what expenses you regularly pay for. Budgeting can also reveal bad spending habits, allowing you to make adjustments and prioritize what you want to invest in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to keep track of a budget in your head, so it\u2019s a good idea to write it all down. As long as you do it in a way that\u2019s easy to update, there\u2019s no wrong way to record it! You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/essential-apps-for-your-financial-toolkit\/\">use an app<\/a>, write it down on paper or create a spreadsheet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve built a <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1O-3ivRlQXM2U5-zF1EJI4OeUm3hnWZZZhvX9YSlh-QE\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">customizable budgeting calculator<\/a> to help get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.21.41-PM-1024x542.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.21.41-PM-1024x542.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.21.41-PM-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.21.41-PM-768x406.png 768w, https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.21.41-PM.png 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Our copy is locked for editing, but you can save your own version and adjust it to fit your needs. Click \u201cFile\u201d and \u201cMake a copy\u201d in the upper left-hand corner to save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.23.47-PM-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.23.47-PM-1.png 512w, https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-06-at-2.23.47-PM-1-300x183.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spend Less Than You Earn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve recorded everything in your budget, you\u2019ll be able to calculate your total monthly output:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Income &#8211; Expenses = Total Output<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your ultimate goal should be to spend less money than what you receive each month, creating a positive total output. If you have a negative output, you\u2019ve overspent; you may have to borrow money to make ends meet, which puts you in debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some kinds of debt, like borrowing money to go to college, are okay to have if you can pay it back later. However, taking on debt as a teen isn\u2019t a great practice for the future. Breaking even month-to-month isn\u2019t ideal either \u2014 if you don\u2019t have anything left over now, you can\u2019t save for big-ticket purchases later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creating and Saving for Long-Term Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of bigger purchases, what do you <em>really<\/em> want to do with your money? Get a new game system? Go to a music festival? Save up for college? Major purchases might require serious saving, but having a long-term goal in mind can motivate you to spend less and save up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try adding your savings goal to your budget by treating it like a monthly expense. Commit a set dollar amount or percentage of your monthly income towards your goal. Rather than spending it, stash that money away in a savings account. Breaking an expense down and saving smaller portions of money over time can help you make steady progress to achieving your goal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weighing Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Money has limits \u2014 it only stretches so far, and you can\u2019t pay for every single thing you might want. Is it a good idea to spend money on those concert tickets if you\u2019re also trying to save up for a new phone? Will buying snacks while out with friends now derail you from buying that new game you want next week?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to weigh your options and consider the pros and cons of each purchase before swiping your debit card. You might have to make trade-offs, especially when your budget is tight. However, thinking through your options now can help you avoid making an impulsive purchase you\u2019ll regret later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earning More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your current income isn\u2019t enough to cover your monthly expenses, your options are to make more money or spend less. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/side-work-and-freelancing-ideas-for-your-next-hustle\/\">Side hustles and part-time jobs<\/a> are a great way to bring more money in, but they do require time and energy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before taking on more work, carefully consider your current responsibilities (current job, school, chores) and how much time you currently have to do the things you really enjoy (hanging out with friends, sports, after school activities, etc.). If you have the time to spare and really need the cash, taking on more work might be the way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Money Advice for Teens and Young Adults<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for more personal finance tips? Read more from Top Dollar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/money-advice-for-your-20s\/\">Money Advice for Your 20s<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/credit-101-a-college-students-guide-to-establishing-credit\/\">Credit 101: A College Student\u2019s Guide to Establishing Credit<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/kids-and-credit-cards\/\">Kids and Credit Cards<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/how-to-teach-your-child-about-money-at-every-age\/\">How to Teach Your Child About Money at Every Age<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Driver\u2019s licenses, first jobs, school dances and college searches: your teen years are full of important milestones. They also tend to be more financially focused, with your first big purchases and glimpses of adulthood on the horizon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budgeting"],"accredited":{"author":{"name":"Mikaela Sullivan","url":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/author\/msullivan\/"},"categories":[{"name":"Budgeting","slug":"budgeting","url":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/category\/budgeting\/"}],"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/768x432_TopDollar_BudgetingTeens2.jpg"},"acf":{"edited_by":null,"reviewed_by":null,"fact_checked_by":null},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Budgeting for Teens: Tips and Free Calculator - Top Dollar<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accrediteddebtrelief.com\/blog\/budgeting-for-teens-tips-and-free-calculator\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Budgeting for Teens: Tips and Free Calculator - Top Dollar\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Driver\u2019s licenses, first jobs, school dances and college searches: your teen years are full of important milestones. 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