Do you spend time focusing on your finances each week? Paying closer attention to your wallet can save you a ton of headaches over the long run.
If you take care of money, it’ll take care of you. But if you refuse to get your financial house in order, it may eventually come crashing down. Just think about people who were once wealthy, but then lost it all.
So, seize control of your financial life! Following are some small money moves that make a big difference.
1. Modify your spending habits
Many people complain about not having enough money to make ends meet, yet refuse to cut back on variable expenses. We’re talking about those quick runs to the fast-food joint, frequent movie nights, daily trips to Starbucks or cable upgrades.
You can also improve your spending habits by shopping smarter. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Buy secondhand. Craigslist and garage sales are my best friends when searching for big-ticket items. I’ve saved more than 50% on things that easily would cost more than $ 1,000 in a store.
- Bargain shop. Never pay full price. The best way to avoid temptation is to remember the following: “If it’s not on sale or clearance, I’m not buying it.” Sounds corny, but it works.
- Educate yourself. Check a store’s policy to see if it allows price matching. You might have to dig deep, because some retailers don’t openly advertise their policy. But the effort can really pay off.
2. Use cash-back sites
When you shop online, use cash-back sites to cut costs on things you need. Websites like Rakuten, TopCashback and Ibotta put money back in your wallet every time you shop when you go to retailers’ sites through their portals.
For more on this topic, check out “6 Ways to Score Free Gift Cards and Cash in 1 Place.”
3. Create a spending plan
Having a hard time keeping your spending under control? A budget will help you spend less than you make.
Track what you spend for at least two weeks to gauge your spending patterns. A free online service like our partner YNAB (You Need a Budget) can track expenses for you. Determine whether your expenses exceed your income, and make cuts if necessary.
Decide which financial goals to accomplish first. For additional tips, check out “Resolutions 2020: Budget Your Way to Financial Goals”
4. Open a savings account
If you haven’t already done so, stop by our Solutions Center so you can find and open a savings account. Here are some tips for increasing your balance:
- Allocate a percentage of your monthly income to your stash, either manually or electronically. The latter may work best to guarantee you won’t be tempted to skip a month.
- Make a plan for irregular income before you receive it. Still expecting a hefty tax refund? Has management given you a raise at your job? Saving this cash is a great way to boost your emergency fund.
For more on this topic, check out “9 Ways to Build an Emergency Fund From Scratch.”
5. Keep an eye on your account activity at all times
Haven’t paid much attention to account statements in the past? Now’s the time to start, as identity theft is growing, and your account activity may be the first indicator that you have been victimized.
Start by reviewing the activity on both your bank and credit accounts at least once a week, and check the comprehensive statement when you receive it at the end of the month.
6. Check your credit
Reviewing your credit report takes only a few minutes. Correcting mistakes can raise your credit score, helping you to get the best interest rate on a loan.
Haven’t checked your credit in a while? Head on over to AnnualCreditReport.com.
7. Gather pertinent documents
Would you be prepared for someone else to handle your affairs if an unforeseen circumstance suddenly arose? If not, now’s the time to gather important documents that pertain to both your finances and health care. These include:
- A will. If you don’t draft this important document and die without one, state laws will determine where your assets go. Is that what you really want?
- A durable power of attorney for finances and for health care. This person will oversee your finances and medical care if you become incapacitated.
- Life insurance documents. Don’t leave your beneficiaries in the dark about the policies you have.
Each of these documents should be stored in a safe place in your home or in the cloud. Make sure those who will handle your affairs know where to find them.
8. Renegotiate interest rates
Have you tried reaching out to lenders to secure lower interest rates on your debt? You can try to reduce your rates in the following ways:
- Request a lower APR on your credit card. Give the credit card company a ring to see if it can do anything for you. You never know until you ask, and the worst the representative can say is “no.”
- Consider refinancing your auto loan and/or mortgage. Depending on the loan, a reduction of a few points could save you thousands of dollars.
9. Reduce your tax liability
Does your tax liability or refund seem to catch you by surprise each year? Try using the IRS Withholding Calculator to determine if you need to adjust your allowances on Form W-4.
10. Maximize 401(k) contributions
Contribute the maximum amount allowable under law to your 401(k), if at all possible, but definitely contribute no less than the amount required to get your employer’s full match. You should never leave free money on the table.
There are other ways to build retirement funds:
- Explore your options. Don’t have a 401(k) at work? Explore other options like an IRA or a solo 401(k) so you won’t be left scrambling when retirement rolls around.
- Maximize your Social Security benefits. We explain how to do this in “12 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Checks.”
11. Make your money work for you
Are investments in your 401(k) and other retirement funds getting a decent return? Are the fees taking too much of a bite out of your earnings?
Remember, the earlier you invest, the more time you give compound interest to work its magic for you.
For more tips, check out:
Which money moves are on your to-do list? Share with us in comments below or on our Facebook page.
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