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Bill reminders, emergency buffer, scam awareness, routine, support list, 90-day plan.
Set bill reminders (rent, utilities, phone) + avoid late fees
Late fees and overdraft charges will bleed you dry. Set up auto-pay for rent, utilities, and phone bills. Check your bank balance 2 days before each due date. A single missed payment costs you $35 in overdraft fees and damages your credit score. Automation is your friend.
Build a minimum cash buffer target (even $200-$500 to start)
You need cash for emergencies—lost transit cards, urgent repairs, unexpected costs. Save $200-500 as fast as possible. Put it in a separate savings account you can access instantly. Look at your spending: can you skip one meal out this week? That money goes into your emergency buffer today.
Learn common scams targeting immigrants (jobs, rentals, fake IRS, fake immigration)
Scammers target new immigrants because you don't know the rules yet. Remember: the U.S. government will NEVER call asking for money or gift cards. Job scams ask you to pay for 'training.' Rental scams demand payment before you see the place. Immigration scams use fake websites (only .gov is real). If a call scares you, hang up and verify with a trusted source.
Choose a primary healthy routine:
Moving to a new country is traumatic. Your body and mind are under constant stress. Build a simple routine: sleep and wake at the same time every day. Take a 20-minute walk or do a quick home workout. If you feel overwhelmed, sad, or lonely—that's normal. Reach out to a friend or use your school's counseling services.
Build a local support list (2-3 people you can call)
You can't do this alone. Identify 2-3 people you can call in an emergency—classmates, coworkers, neighbors, community members. Save them as 'Emergency Contacts' in your phone. Tell them they're on your list so they know to pick up when you call. Community is survival.
Write your 90-day plan: what matters next (career, credit, paperwork)
You've survived 30 days. Now it's time to look ahead. What do you want to achieve in the next 60 days? Career: update your resume for U.S. standards. Credit: apply for your first secured credit card. Paperwork: confirm your state ID appointment is scheduled. Write down 3 specific goals for Day 90. Make them real.