Managing Your Personal Finances
Making smart personal finance decisions will ensure that you make the most of your money. Here are some tips to help you earn, save, spend and invest wisely.
Have your family on the same page with you. If finances are tough, and you've had to make budget cuts, explain to them that everyone is going to have to be understanding of any changes. Don't go deep into debt, just to make everyone happy. Unburden yourself, be open, and share with your family, exactly what is happening.
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.
Have your own garage sale, when you feel like you've accumulated too much stuff. If your house has gotten smaller because you have a lot of junk taking up too much room, you can always sell it to your neighbors for a little bit of profit.
An often forgotten financial tip is to claim as much as possible on your W-9 through your employment. This will give you what you deserve with each check so that you can save the money for yourself instead of loaning it to the government. If you file zero you are just giving the government money to invest.
Set yourself a monthly budget and don't go over it. Since most people live paycheck to paycheck, it can be easy to overspend each month and put yourself in the hole. Determine what you can afford to spend, including putting money into savings and keep close track of how much you have spent for each budget line.
Assess your cell phone plan. See if you actually need the type of plan you are signed up for. Do you really need that internet connection? How often do you text? Do you come close to using up your minutes? Go down to the lowest plan you need so you are not over paying.
Avoid buying junk food. These foods can be expensive, and even if they're not, the cost of them can really add up. If you cut out buying a lot of junk food, not only will you save money, but it'll be healthier for you. It's a win-win situation for you, and your family.
If you have a good credit score, be careful about co-signing for someone, especially if they have a bad score or are not likely to pay off their debt. Co-signing does not improve your own score in any way and puts a lot of pressure on you. Do it if you are sure that the person you are co-signing for can do the same for you.
Few things can improve your bottom-line more than making smart personal finance decisions. Use the tips above to help you make wise choices regarding the use of money! The range is wide, from making money to saving it, not to mention knowing how to wisely spend it, good personal finance habits will help carry you through bad times as well as better enjoy the good times!
Have your family on the same page with you. If finances are tough, and you've had to make budget cuts, explain to them that everyone is going to have to be understanding of any changes. Don't go deep into debt, just to make everyone happy. Unburden yourself, be open, and share with your family, exactly what is happening.
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.
Have your own garage sale, when you feel like you've accumulated too much stuff. If your house has gotten smaller because you have a lot of junk taking up too much room, you can always sell it to your neighbors for a little bit of profit.
An often forgotten financial tip is to claim as much as possible on your W-9 through your employment. This will give you what you deserve with each check so that you can save the money for yourself instead of loaning it to the government. If you file zero you are just giving the government money to invest.
Set yourself a monthly budget and don't go over it. Since most people live paycheck to paycheck, it can be easy to overspend each month and put yourself in the hole. Determine what you can afford to spend, including putting money into savings and keep close track of how much you have spent for each budget line.
Assess your cell phone plan. See if you actually need the type of plan you are signed up for. Do you really need that internet connection? How often do you text? Do you come close to using up your minutes? Go down to the lowest plan you need so you are not over paying.
Avoid buying junk food. These foods can be expensive, and even if they're not, the cost of them can really add up. If you cut out buying a lot of junk food, not only will you save money, but it'll be healthier for you. It's a win-win situation for you, and your family.
If you have a good credit score, be careful about co-signing for someone, especially if they have a bad score or are not likely to pay off their debt. Co-signing does not improve your own score in any way and puts a lot of pressure on you. Do it if you are sure that the person you are co-signing for can do the same for you.
Few things can improve your bottom-line more than making smart personal finance decisions. Use the tips above to help you make wise choices regarding the use of money! The range is wide, from making money to saving it, not to mention knowing how to wisely spend it, good personal finance habits will help carry you through bad times as well as better enjoy the good times!