Planning/Management

Money Basics - What is a Budget?

Courtesy of New York Foundation for the Arts

A budget is simply a plan for how you earn, spend, save and invest your money. Creating your budget is one of the first things you should do as you begin to organize your personal finances.

Why? Because having a budget is the key to making your money work for you. Until you actually calculate how much money you earn after taxes - and until you figure out how much money you spend every month - it's impossible to establish a savings or investment plan that will work.
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Selected Chicago-City Links

Ecenter of Columbia College Chicago AEMM Department Workshops

The Ecenter's Express Business Loan Program facilitates access to start up and small business capital and includes workshops on Express Business Loan Preparation which prepares artists to apply for bank financing and Express Business Loan Application in which artists can apply for their small or start up business loans.

Checks & Balances

Service-oriented accounting firm serving Loop-area businesses since 1988. Guides clients through the entire accounting process.

Financial Education Programs: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

The AFSA Education Foundation helps consumers to become financially literate. Programs highlight the benefits of responsible money management, steps in the credit process and where to seek help if credit problems occur.

Illinois Pro Bono: A Debt Guide for Illinois Consumers

A manual on debt collection issues.

SmART Start: Self Assessment Tools

The Arts and Business Council's proprietary on-line self-assessment for the arts. Helps arts groups to pinpoint improvement and growth needs in seven major management areas.

View all Chicago-City links