Learning that you have a lot of unpaid debt can be a frightening situation for anyone, especially if it seems like you have no way to pay it back. Read this article for some tips on how to manage your personal finances so you can avoid these problems in the future.
Resist buying something just because it is on sale if what is on sale is not something that you need. Buying something that you do not really need is a waste of money, no matter how much of a discount you are able to get. So, try to resist the temptation of a big sales sign.
Hiring a credit repair company can help you with some of the legwork involved in cleaning up your credit report, but beware of shady companies that make false or misleading claims. These companies may allege that you can start fresh with a clean credit report by using an Employee Identification number (EIN) rather than your Social Security number. However, they neglect to tell you that requesting an EIN from the IRS for this reason is a federal crime.
If you are out of school, go ahead and get your various student loans consolidated into one account. You will be able to combine multiple loans into one fixed interest rate and you will avoid having to remember to pay multiple lenders and accounts each month. Shop around for the best interest rate before choosing a lender.
Having a steady paycheck, regardless of the type of job, can be the key to building your personal finances. A constant stream of reliable income will mean that there is always money coming into your account for whatever is deemed best or most needed at the time. Regular income can build your personal finances.
Bonds are a very stable and solid investment that you can make if you want to plan for the future. These forms of investments are purchased at a fraction of what they will be worth in the future. Invest in bonds if you want to earn a solid payback in the future upon maturity.
Make paying down high interest credit card debt a priority. Pay more money on your high interest credit cards every month than you do on something that does not have as big of an interest rate. This will ensure that your principal debt does not grow into something that you will never be able to pay.
Pay off high-rate credit cards from low-yield savings. Many credit cards charge 18% or more in annual interest, while some store cards charge as much as 24%. It makes sense to pay off those high-rate balances with any extra cash that you have sitting in low-yielding savings accounts. For instance, paying off a $1000, 18% credit-card balance from a 1%-yielding savings account would save you $170.
In order to save money on your phone, cable, and internet bills, you may want to consider getting a three-in-one through a cable provider. Many cable companies offer a discount if you get all three services from them. Plus, it is helpful to have all three services on one bill.
Starting your kids out early and teaching them about personal financial issues, is a great way to help them in the future. Teach them the importance of saving by getting them a piggy bank, and let them understand what it means to work by paying for chores completed. Try to keep credit out of the equation.
Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Take the time to learn more about finances regardless of what your major was. You need to stay ahead of the game here, and there’s no better time to start than when you’re fresh out of school and ready to enter into the workforce.
Make sure you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy before you waste money on a consultation. Under the 2005 bankruptcy reforms, only people who make less than the median income for their state can file for Chapter 7 protection. If you happen to make more than that, you can still set up a Chapter 13 repayment plan.
Cut out that unused land line. If you don’t talk on the phone much, a paid in advance cell phone could be significantly cheaper in the long run. Some mobile cell companies offer 1000 minutes of prepaid time for $100. This can last some people a year. For comparison, most land lines would cost $300 or more for that same year of service.
Never turn to a credit card to help pay for your bills, if you cannot pay them in the first place. Always pay rent, electricity and other essentials before paying back personal debt. Remember the tips in this article, so you can make the most of your personal finances.
