subject: Essential Criteria In Personal Finance - An Insightful Analysis [print this page] It is important that you take control of your personal finances. There are a number of things that you can do to help you understand your financial transactions. As you gain knowledge about your own monetary situation, you can begin to use your skills to use your money in the best way possible.
To improve your personal finance habits, keep track of the amount of cash you spend along with everything else. The physical act of paying with cash makes you mindful of exactly how much money is being spent, while it is much easier to spend large amounts with a credit or debit card.
Spend less money than you make. This may seem really obvious, but so many people miss the mark on this; that it needs to be noted. You need to know your income and budget yourself to fall under that mark. This will make you not only more financially stable, but also more emotionally secure, as well! It can cause much anxiety to live constantly in fear of your finances.
Go over all your policies and get rid of the features you don't need. This includes your insurance policies, credit cards, bank accounts, phone, internet and cable plan. You should pay only for the services you really need and get rid of everything else. Do not hesitate to ask for a personalized policy from your insurance agent.
Applying for financial aid and scholarships can help those attending school to get some extra money that will cushion their own personal finances. There are many different scholarships a person can try to qualify for and all of these scholarships will provide varying returns. The key to getting extra money for school is to simply try.
As a college student, you will want to reduce the amount that you spend on books and supplies. Instead of purchasing books at the campus bookstore, which is usually at retail price, make friends with upperclassman who can give you these books at a discount. This can save you hundreds of dollars per semester.
Set aside a small amount of money from each paycheck to use however you would like. For example, you might decide to go bowling with friends or treat your child to a frozen yogurt. Do not spend more than the predetermined amount; this method allows you to have a little freedom while still keeping your spending under control.
Look into a better plan for your cell phone. Chances are if you have had your cell phone for at least a couple of years, there is probably something out there that will benefit you more. Call your provider and ask for a better deal, or look around and see what is being offered.
You should set goals for yourself, both on the short and the long term. On the short term, you should aim at reducing small expenses that you do not really need. For the long term, look for a better career or place your money in stable investments. When you do not meet your goals, find out what you did wrong and look for a better solution.
Start bringing your own lunch to work everyday. People often waste so much money by going out to eat during their lunch break at work. By simply making and bringing your own lunch, you'll be saving significant amounts of money, every single week.
Don't get talked into quick money making schemes. It can be very tempting to give up your savings account to someone who promises to double or triple your money in a short period of time. Take the safe route, and realize that nothing is free. You will be better off slowly and steadily growing your savings rather than risky moves to get more faster. You could end up losing it all.
Choose your credit cards wisely. If you need to use them for everyday purchases, find the ones advertising rewards. There are lots of banks offering 1-5% cash back, airline frequent flyer miles or discounts when you buy certain products. Choose the card that matches your lifestyle and reduces your costs.
Now that you've learned a little more about finances, hopefully, you realize that your past financial mistakes were just due to a lack of knowledge. You should definitely know better now; just put the knowledge you've gained from this article into action to turn your financial situation around.
by: Jermaine Gillespie
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