Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Would you like to learn how to control your finances instead of letting them control you? It is possible to get on track financially. By following these tips not only will you show your money who is boss, but you will get piece of mind.
Improve your personal finance skills with a very useful but often overlooked tip. Make sure that you are taking about 10-13% of your paychecks and putting them aside into a savings account. This will help you out greatly during the tough economic times. Then, when an unexpected bill comes, you will have the funds to cover it and not have to borrow and pay interest fees.
Take out your incandescent light bulbs and start using high-efficiency CFL light bulbs instead. 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. CFLs also last considerably longer than most older-styled light bulbs. Over time you will save money by replacing the energy-efficient bulbs less often.
Every dollar counts, and you should find all of the coins in your home and put them in the bank. Search all of your couch cushions and pockets of your jeans, to find extra quarters, dimes, and nickels that you can cash in. This money is better served earning interest than lying around the house.
If feasible in your area, try getting around without a car. Between car payments, gas, insurance, and parking, the dollars spent on owning a car can really add up. It isn’t possible for everyone, but if you can try using public transportation or your own two feet to get around.
If one has old electronics that are in perfectly good working condition but out-dated and replaced with a newer product, they can still be valuable. If one sells them to a pawn shop or sells them over the internet that can bring in some extra money to save.
Your FICO score is determined in large part by your credit card balance. When you maintain a large balance from month to month, your score will be lower than it should. When you pay the balance down the score will begin to climb. Try to make sure the balance stays around less than 20 percent of your available credit.
If you are trying to improve your credit score, consider finding a way to transfer debt to “invisible” locations. If you can pay a delinquent account off by borrowing from a friend or family member, your credit score will only reflect that you paid it off. If you go this route, make sure to sign something with your lender that gives them the power to take you to court should you fail to pay, for extra security.
Heating can be the largest household expense during the winter months. Some heating types are more expensive than others. If you live in an area where the winter is cold, don’t rent a place with electric heating. As electricity is the most expensive energy source, stay away from rentals with any kind of electric heating system.
Do not pick products just because they are expensive. It’s easy to get fooled into the idea that the more expensive the product the higher your commissions will be. The premise is accurate but in reality you can make a lot more from a more mid-range product due to the volume of sales you can receive.
Make your personal finance record-keeping more efficient and easy to read by marking debits and payments in your check registry using a bold, red ink pen. This will make you less likely to overlook withdrawals and debits and will also allow you to quickly verify all expenses as you balance your checkbook.
Chart out when all of your bills are due. This can help ensure that you never make a late payment. This can help you budget better and avoid late fees.
If you’re trying to save money for a big purchase, but find that it’s not easy to stick to a budget every day, week after week, here’s a different strategy. Make the effort to save money every other day. For instance, pack a bag lunch three days a week instead of buying lunch out. Put the money you save into a savings account towards your planned purchase.
Be realistic when it comes to saving. Some people find it very easy to save money, others, not so much. If you’ve never been able to successfully save money in the past, don’t think that you will suddenly be able to save hundreds of dollars a month. Start small, and get used to the habit of putting aside an amount each month. Once you see it starting to grow, you can increase the amount of money that you save.
As you can see, it is extremely possible to be in charge of your financial life by making small changes here and there. You can stop worrying about finances and find peace. So what are you waiting for? Start making changes today and your wallet will thank you tomorrow.
