<prompt> Human: Hello rpersonalfinance!I am a young adult from a rural populace in the southern U.S. In this area, save for a few cities, people here live paycheck to paycheck and the only thing your typical citizen from this area could fathom doing with hisher paycheck is depositing it into the checking account and paying off the essentials occasionally opting for cigarettes or a Sunday out for lunch, of course. I think that a great many of us young adults, I mean from this area leave their parents to go on and continue in a similarly naive fashion insofar as their finances are concerned. Its really a bit tragic, as I believe that a great many folks in this area could improve their lot in life if they only knew strategies for saving money and investing it in their future rather than, to be frank, pissing away any extra income on whatever convenience may be available at the time.Speaking as if you were addressing someone who knew only of checking and savings accounts you may be shocked!, what financial advice would you give to young fledglings those who only now are considering budgeting, essentials and inessentials, and the possibility that one can do more than simply use their cash to pay bills every month and nothing more.  <response>: Payday loans and credit cards exist to exploit people who dont understand how interest works. Credit cards are a very useful tool if used responsibly. That means buying only what you can actually afford to pay off right now, not making impulse purchases, and never carrying a balance. Cash-back cards can actually mean a little cost-savings. Its important to not get suckered into carrying a balance paying interest on your purchases. Payday loans are an absolute rip-off. If your bank account is empty, make use of whatever resources are available to you to make it to your next cheque: food bank, churches, relatives, etc.Speaking of bank accounts, get one. Preferably at a credit union, rather than one of the big banks that charge fees for everything. Get a checking account as your central hub for money going in out paychecks, bills, rent check, etc.. A savings account as a holding area for your Emergency Fund about 6 months worth of expenses, and any extra money you can later move into investments when you get into a healthier financial position.Next, theres numerous strategies to avoid being nickel dimed. Being poor is expensive. Bulk food and larger sizes of food products can be cheaper than smaller servings, but it takes having the money in your budget to buy that larger amount up-front. rfrugal is full of tips for saving money on everyday things. Coupons, loss-leader sales, buying clothes used instead of new, etc. Look at all your bills and see where you can trim: phone, power, car insurance, etc.Learn to cook healthy meals from inexpensive food, rather than eating out or buying pre-made meals. Brown rice beans can meet most of your nutritional needs: add some fresh veggies and spices and youve got a variety of meals: soupsstews, fried rice, burritos, etc.Understand Needs vs Wants. You need food. You want an iPhone. Dont worry about trying to impress people with what you have: car, house, furniture, electronics, etc. While youre poor, focus purely on meeting your needs. Get work experience, improve your skills, and get what you need to impress your next boss to move up.Cars are expensive to buy maintain. Dont lease or buy new. Get something reliable a few years old, and keep it until it falls apart. If youre so inclined, learn how to maintain it fix it yourself.Formal education isnt necessary to make a good living. Trades such as electricians, carpenters, millworkers, HVAC, etc. can make excellent salaries, after only a couple years of training.Dont be afraid to ask for help. Most communities will have free counselling available, training programs, educational assistance, resource centers eg. if you dont have a printer to print your resume, theyll be able to do that for you. 