Money Moves
Five money words every new worker should know
APR, net pay, match, credit utilization, and emergency fund. Learn them once and use them for life.
This is preview content for The Skilled Nation, ahead of Issue 1 on February 4, 2027.
Gen Z answers 38% of basic personal finance questions correctly. Start here.
1. Net pay. The money that reaches your account after taxes and deductions. Build your budget on net pay, never gross.
2. APR. Annual percentage rate. The yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and some fees. A lower APR costs you less. Compare APR, not the monthly payment.
3. Match. Money your employer or union adds to your retirement account when you contribute. If they match 50 cents per dollar up to 6% of pay, contributing 6% earns you an extra 3% of pay every year.
4. Credit utilization. How much of your credit limit you use. Keeping balances low compared with your limits helps your score. Paying in full every month helps most.
5. Emergency fund. Cash set aside for surprises, like a car repair or a slow month. Start with $1,000. Grow it to three months of expenses.
Want the full plan? Read Your first paycheck: a 5-step money plan.