Whether you’re trying to get out from under a mountain of debt or want to learn how to save more, financial management can help you. Read on to learn some simple tips and tricks that you can use to improve your financial situation and begin saving more of each paycheck.
Get a rewards credit card. No-fee reward cards are the best if you need a credit card. Reward cards give you rewards on various things that you typically use such as hotel rooms, airline tickets and store rewards. Be sure you pay the card off every month and pay on time to avoid interest and late fees.
Get a credit card that rewards you with frequent flyer miles. This is a great tip only if you are diligent about paying off your card balance monthly. These cards usually give you a big bonus miles bump on your first purchase, plus miles for every dollar you put on the card. You could be earning free flights very quickly.
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 you do not make use of the automatic alerts most banks offer, you are missing out on one of the best benefits of online banking. Banks frequently notify their customers of significant account changes with online alerts. Having a large withdrawal or low balance alert will protect you from fraud and overdraft.
Keep good records of your expenses. If you aren’t keeping accurate records, it’s doubtful that you are claiming all you are allowed at tax time. It also makes your situation very difficult if an audit should happen. A digital or paper file can work just fine, so work on creating the system that works for you.
To conserve water and save money on your monthly bill, check out the new breed of eco-friendly toilets. Dual-flush toilets require the user to push two separate buttons in order to flush, but work just as effectively as a regular toilet. Within weeks, you should notice decreases in your household water usage.
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.
Make sure you’re not spending more than you’re earning each month. The easiest way to dig yourself into a hole of debt that’s near impossible to dig yourself out of is to use credit cards to spend more than you’re earning. Make sure you’re being responsible with your money and not overextending yourself.
You should start a savings account for emergencies only. Most people aren’t in the habit of saving money and this is a great way to start a money saving habit. If you have a hard time saving money, have it direct deposited from your paycheck so you don’t have to do it yourself.
Whenever possible, pay with cash. Carrying cash is a tangible reminder of how much or little money you have remaining, to meet your upcoming needs and expenses. Unlike debit and credit cards, cash is accepted practically everywhere and is perpetually free of annoying surcharges, fees and confusing fine print.
Watch for letters that tell you about changes in your credit accounts. The law requires creditors to inform you at least 45 days before the changes go in affect. Make sure that you read the new information carefully. Once you have done this, you can decide if the changes make it worth keeping the account. If you do not think the account is worth keeping, pay off whatever amount you need to and then close it.
Do not rush out and buy the newest product on the market when it first comes out. You may find that waiting until they hype has died down can save you big money in the end. You may not be able to brag to your friends but you will have cash in your pocket!
Saving more isn’t just a matter of willpower, as you can see. You have to take the time to look at your finances and decide which changes you want to make. Now that you’ve read this article, you should have a better idea of which changes you should make first, in order to improve your financial situation.
