Staying on top of personal finances is difficult. By taking preemptive action and keeping track of every tiny thing that goes on in your finances, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. There are many tools available to you which can make this process easier, so that you can know where your money goes.
Stay up-to-date with financial news so you know when something happens on the market. Instead of ignoring global news, you should pay attention when trading currency. By understanding what is happening worldwide, you can predict what the market is going to do.
Logging your expenditures is helpful in gaining an understanding of where your money is going. However, you should keep in mind that if you write what you’re spending in a book that you won’t look at for the majority of the day, your finances may be forgotten. A good idea is to get a large whiteboard for use in your office or home as a reminder to keep listing your expenditures. You will look at it every day and be reminded of what you need to do.
Times are tough, try having your savings in different places! Here are some of the types of accounts and investments you should consider: straight savings account, standard checking account, stock investment, high interest bearing accounts, gold investment. Look for new ways to invest your money, and make sure you keep it safe.
You should write down every penny you spend to find where you are blowing the most money. If you are writing things down in a journal and you slack off it will never work for you. Try using a whiteboard in your den or home office to document your finances. This way you will be confronted with it often, and the message will stay in your mind.
It may be helpful to keep a small envelope in your purse or bag whenever you go shopping. Use the envelope to stash receipts, business cards, and other small pieces of paper you want to save. This way you can ensure you have all the documents you need for your records. Keeping astute credit card statement records can help you if there is ever a dispute about payment or being overcharged.
Less Money
Debt should be your last resort, because debt can lead to poor personal finances. Some debt will be unavoidable, like student loans and mortgages, but credit card debt should be avoided like the plague. Borrowing less money translates into paying less money on surcharges and interest.
Older incandescent bulbs should be replaced with newer CFL bulbs, which are much more energy-efficient. Replacing your bulbs will cost more initially, but you will see greater savings in the long run and do your part to help the environment. As an added bonus, your CFL bulbs will last longer than the average incandescent bulb. Buying bulbs less frequently can help you save money.
Protect your finances by ensuring you have the proper medical insurance policy. It is inevitable that you will get sick some time or another. For this reason, it is vital to have good health insurance. Doctor and hospital bills can quickly add up. Without insurance, this can be quite a burden.
If your debt has been turned over to a collection agency, keep in mind that if the debt is not collected, it will eventually expire. Seek expert advice on the statute of limitations on debt. If a debt collector is trying to collect on an expired debt, don’t pay!
Put aside money from every paycheck as soon as you get it. If you try to save the money after the month has gone by, you will find that you do not have any money left. By budgeting a set amount for saving, you can see that you need to reduce other aspects of your budget.
Save a set amount from each check you receive. If you go forward, expecting you will simply save the remainder for each month, you will be encountered by a surprise known as “reality”. Additionally, setting it aside right away prevents you from spending the money on things you do not need. You will know what you need money for before your next check comes.
The most effective method for avoiding debt is spending less money than you earn. You’ll need to cut back your spending so that you can completely pay back all your debts. Go out to eat and part less to save some greenbacks. Another option is to pack a lunch for work instead of eating out. If restoring your credit is important to you, you will need to follow through and lower your overall spending.
Investigate and switch to a fee free checking account. Check out the banks in your community, and don’t forget to also look for free accounts available online or through credit unions.
You have a much better chance to catch an overdraft prior to paying the fees if you keep records of where you are spending your money. When you are more in control of your finances, you will feel more financially secure, and will not need to rely on the bank so much to tell you where you stand.
