It is said that you need money to make money. However, this is a concept that calls for prudent management of the available finances. Give this, below are a few tips on how to manage money better.
Check the tips below
1. Create A Budget
You must start with a budget. It will serve as a shield and guide, keeping you from making blunders. Therefore, you will need one. Create and stick to the budget, and though it might seem somewhat tough to achieve, it will be worth the effort.
Budgeting will help give you transparency in your spending, thus giving you clarity about your financial situation. That is why a budget is an essential element in the way you manage your money. It will be one of the first things you need when paying off debt, investing, saving, and planning for future expenses like mortgages and planning for your retirement.
If you need to bring in some balance in your financial situation and have some peace of mind as you spend and save, then create a comprehensive budget. Start with understanding your expenditure, weighing it against your income, and this will bring you to the next step.
2. Understand Your Expenses
Often, people cannot say the much they spend monthly on their needs and wants when asked to give an exact total. It is rare for them to give a precise figure off the top of their head because they cannot put the finger on the amount the much they spend on any given month. It is an issue that they can solve with ease, and you can do the same.
The answer is in tracking all your spending for one month and comparing it to that of the next month. Keep all your receipts (utilities, rent, groceries, restaurants, and any other expenditure). Then review your bank statements and combine all that, summing up that month’s expenses, which should include everything that was paid by cash and credit cards.
Keep a record of the total of your variable and fixed expenditure. It will allow you to have a better picture of your spending and where you need to adjust and so that you can begin to manage your expenses better. Doing this will be a process that entails a comprehensive assessment of your spending over a specific period.
3. Understand Your Income
While not everyone can tell you what they make from their business monthly, internally, they have an idea. Most people are aware of their monthly income, but the same cannot be said of their monthly expenditure.
The objective of having a grip on your income is to help you have a better idea of the total spending on a given month. By doing this, you will note the following:
- If you have a negative number, it means your expenditure is more than what you earn. What should you do to correct this? Reduce your expenses, lowering it significantly until the total reaches zero.
- If you have a positive number, then bravo! It means you are spending less than was you make. What can you do about this? Use the money to pay off debts and increase your savings.
By understanding your income and spending, you will have a firm grip on how money is coming in and out of your life. Once you are in such a position, you can then take a few extra steps to ensure that you best manage your money.
4. Consolidate Your Debt
Debt is something that nobody likes, and many people need help managing their finances so that they can get out of debt. If this sounds familiar, then you are in the same group as nearly 80% of most Americans that are struggling with unpaid loans and other types of debts.
First, you must get your debt situation under control. Then you can formulate a strategy on how to get rid of the burden. For instance, if you have student loans, credit card debts, and any other, consolidate them and try to secure the lowest interest rate.
Remember, it is all about prudent money management. You can find different options that allow you to leverage several unsecured debts like payday loans, credit cards, and personal loans, combining them into one debt that you can repay instead of doing so individually for each. Visit Loanza for some loan options.
If you are on a tight budget and you have a single credit card debt, repaying the minimum amount at least, as soon as you receive the bill. And if your money situation permits it, and you have access to a few extra cash, make any payment to offset what’s owed. Do what you can to honor the payments and keep the cycle going until the debt is fully settled.
5. Slash Or Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses
If you relish a Venti Caffe Latte that sees you pinch $4 from your wallet on your days to work, consider what that totals to at the end of the week. Then compare it to the much you would have saved in 52 weeks. You will have saved more than $1,000 at the end of the year.
In short, reevaluate some of your leisure treats and activities and see where you can make some cutbacks. If you are doing yoga in your backyard and still paying a gym membership, cancel the membership. Do that same for any subscriptions and accounts that you are paying for but are not essential in your life. It’s also worth taking a look at all of your utilities, especially your cell phone plan. Often we are on plans that include data caps that we never go near! So its worth shopping around and trying tools like this Calculator to try and find a plan tailored to your exact needs, saving money in the process.
Once you can account for every penny spent and why then you will have better management of your money.
