Resources & Learning Center
Glossary of Terms
Essential terminology to help you navigate financial wellness, credit repair, and mental
health resources with confidence.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
Income used to determine tax liability. It's calculated by subtracting specific deductions from your gross income, including retirement contributions, student loan interest, and other qualified expenses.
Credit Utilization
The ratio of credit used to credit available. It's one of the most important factors in your credit score—experts recommend keeping it below 30% for optimal scoring.
Charge-off
Debt written off by a lender after a prolonged period of non-payment, typically 180 days. While the creditor writes off the debt, you're still legally responsible for paying it.
Cash Flow
Money in vs. money out of a business. Positive cash flow means more money is coming in than going out, which is essential for business survival and growth.
Depreciation
An expense representing asset value loss over time. It's used in accounting to spread the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life, providing tax benefits for businesses.
Inquiry (Hard/Soft)
Record of credit checks. Hard inquiries affect your credit score and occur when applying for credit. Soft inquiries don't affect your score and happen during background checks or pre-approvals.
Ledger
A bookkeeping record of all financial transactions. It's the foundation of your business's accounting system, tracking all debits and credits in organized accounts.
HIPAA
Federal privacy law for health information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without consent.
DSM-5
Diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is the standard classification of mental disorders used by clinicians.