Getting your personal finances in order and keeping them that way is an important skill – perhaps a more important one now than ever. Between the high-powered financial options anyone can take advantage of and the time-saving shortcuts anyone can abuse, it is all too easy to lose control of your money. Here are some basic tips about hanging on to your personal financial reins.
To avoid debt, you should keep your credit balance as low as possible. You might be tempted to accept the offer you qualify for, but you should borrow only as much money as you actually need. Spend some time to determine this exact amount before you accept a loan offer.
Coupons might have been taboo in years past, but with so many people trying to save money and with budgets being tight, why would you pay more than you have to? Scan your local newspapers and magazines for coupons on restaurants, groceries and entertainment that you would be interested in.
Buy in Bulk. Stores like Costco and Sams Club are popular for a reason. A single person may not be able to use six cans of peanut butter in a reasonable time, but non perishable items like toilet paper may last you for a year! Buy in bulk what makes sense for you and add up the savings.
Avoid buying new gadgets as soon as they come out. As we have all seen recently with some of the hottest new products, the price tends to come down within the first 6 months of release. Don’t jump on the train to buy your new toy at release, and you’ll save yourself a bundle.
To improve your personal finance habits, pay off your debt as soon as it is possible. The amount of interest on loans is very high, and the longer you take to pay them off, the more you pay in interest. Additionally, you should always pay more than the minimum that is due on your loan or credit card.
Quite often it is said that if you make more you spend more. The biggest tip I can offer in that case is to try to live below your means. If you can afford that luxury $1000 apartment, don’t! Live at a more modest $700 dollar one and pocket the difference perhaps to use as a down payment on a house.
Even though bottled water may seem like an insignificant expense when you purchase it individually, it will add up over time. Instead of purchasing bottled water every single day, invest in a water filter. This will allow you to create water that has the same taste as bottled, at little to no cost.
Re-check your tax withholding allowances every year. There are many change of life events that can effect these. Some examples are getting married, getting divorced, or having children. By checking them yearly you will make sure you’re declaring correctly so that too much or too little money is not withheld from your paychecks.
Lower your total monthly grocery bills by nixing the habit of shopping for meals every day, afterr you leave work or school. This approach makes you more susceptible to costly impulse purchases and fast food runs. Instead, plan your grocery purchases for an entire week at a time. Save even more money by shopping only once every other week.
Shop the dollar stores. You can often buy the same products in dollar stores for a fraction of the price you would pay in bigger department stores. Whether you are buying toothbrushes, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics or any one of hundreds of other products there are big savings to be had in dollar stores.
Pay yourself first. When you get your paycheck, set aside a certain amount for your savings account first. Don’t pay bills, don’t buy anything, just take some money and put it aside for a rainy day. This will ensure that when a rainy day does come along, you already have a little help.
Gaining control of your finances is not just economically prudent. It can be a source of great personal satisfaction and even pride. Using methods like those outlined above, you can keep a tight leash on your personal finances and bring your money to heel. Personal finance is all about making your money behave the way you want it to.