Personal finance is an essential part of life, but that doesn’t mean you are naturally going to get the gist of things without the right training, education, and resources. If you are unprepared and unclear on the processes involved, you could make costly mistakes that you could have otherwise, avoided. Take these tips with you as you get into any type of personal finance projects that will require more understanding.
In order to avoid personal finance disasters, make sure you have at least three months equivalent of your salary in the bank. This will mean that if you do run into difficulties, for instance losing your job or facing other unexpected expenses like house or car repairs, you’ll be able to cover the cost.
Always consider a used car before buying new. Pay cash when possible, to avoid financing. A car will depreciate the minute you drive it off the lot. Should your financial situation change and you have to sell it, you might find it’s worth less than you owe. This can quickly lead to financial failure if you’re not careful.
After you’ve developed a clear cut budget, then develop a savings plan. Say you spend 75% of your income on bills, leaving 25%. With that 25%, determine what percentage you will save and what percentage will be your fun money. In this way, over time, you will develop a savings.
If you are fortunate enough to have any extra money in your checking account, be wise and don’t leave it there. Even if it’s only a few hundred bucks and only a one percent interest rate, at least it is in a traditional savings account working for you. Some people have a thousand or more dollars sitting in interest free accounts. This is simply unwise.
Create a budget – and stick to it. Make a note of your spending habits over the course of a month. Track where every penny goes so you can figure out where you need to cut back. Once your budget is set for the month, if you find you spend less than planned, use the extra money to pay down your debt.
If you are a college student, make sure that you sell your books at the end of the semester. Often, you will have a lot of students at your school in need of the books that are in your possession. Also, you can put these books online and get a large percentage of what you originally paid for them.
Study your losses and learn from them. Many people like to ignore their losses and move on, but investigating them helps you to avoid making the same mistakes again. And after all, these mistakes cost you money; consider them a mini-course in what not to do and then you move on.
Stick to your budget. Make a budget for each item you need to work on, and make sure you stay within it. Borrowing between budgets is okay as long as you are willing to spend less on the other item. Keeping yourself strict will allow you to be confident in your finances, and not overspend on something you would not necessarily need in the future.
Buy an automatic coffee machine and start it brewing before you leave for work in the morning. You can save money on coffee purchases on your way to work in the morning. These can add up at gourmet coffee shops that lure you in with fancy words. Take an insulated cup and some joe from home.
Personal finance could be difficult to understand, but only if you aren’t taking the time to learn what everything means, how it all works, and how it all fits into your life’s financial matters. You could be successful in your attempts, but only if you use tips like these to get through each process.