4.06.2012

Don't Neglect The Health Of Your Finances

By Steve Brian


Personal finance can be easily managed, and savings can be built up by following a strict budget. One problem is that most people live beyond their means and do not save money regularly. In addition, with surprise bills that pop up for car repair or other unexpected occurrences an emergency fund is essential.

Keep things simple. Don't set up an elaborate financial tracking plan or be too strict with yourself. Remember, personal finance is something you have to deal with for life, so make it as simple and easy on yourself as you possibly can. Keep your finances under control, but don't lose your head while you're at it.

Take a second look at dealer financing with a very low APR. While it may seem like a good idea to save on interest charges, the term of these loans is often a very short 36 months. This means the payment will be very high. If you lose your job or encounter financial difficulties, this increases the chance that the car will be repossessed.

Start investing early to take advantage of the passive income you can generate through interest. If your investments average a 10 percent annual rate of return, that means that $100 invested today will be worth $110 one year from now. Ten dollars doesn't seem like much, but the more you invest, the more you earn.

A great way to ensure that you won't suffer in the future is to start a retirement fund now. If you already have one, then use what you can to boost your retirement portfolio. Unfortunately, the cost of living is still increasing and the dollar is continuing to go down. You will need a larger retirement fund.

Don't apply for credit that you have no chance of getting. Every inquiry into your credit history that is authorized by you can affect your credit score. If you are applying for what is considered too much credit, your score can be lowered and this could prevent you from getting credit that you would have otherwise qualified for.

Make sure that you're never purchasing an item you cannot afford, even if you do have a high credit limit. There is no reason that you cannot make do with a 32-inch TV instead of that 60-inch mega-screen. Why spend the extra $1,000 on luxury when you know you'll have to pay back $2,000-plus with interest?

Whenever you get a windfall such as a bonus or a tax return, designate at least half to paying down debts. You save the amount of interest you would have paid on that amount, which is charged at a much higher rate than any savings account pays. Some of the money will still be left for a small splurge, but the rest will make your financial life better for the future.

Make sure that you're speaking to your employer about all types of benefits if you've recently started a new job. This applies to younger kids, older people, and everyone else who wants to stay in control of their finances. Make sure that you're finding out about the company's insurance benefits so that you can save money by opting to go with their plan.

Get a credit card that gives you rewards or cash back. If you pay your balance in full every month, then it only makes sense that you would use a card that pays you to use it, rather than one that doesn't. Rewards are often airline miles or pre-selected merchandise.

Whether you keep track of your personal finances online or on paper, it is extremely important to review your general situation every month. Look for any unexpected changes in your bills, shortfalls in your credits, or irregularities in the dates that money changes hands. Noting these changes and accounting for them is a big part of staying on top of your financial situation.

Be frugal with your personal finance. While having a brand new car sounds tempting, as soon as you drive it off the lot it loses a huge amount of value. Often times you can get a used car in good if not better condition for a much lower price. You will save big and still have a great car.

Change your trading plans with your goals. If your personal goals change, and no longer match up with the strategy you are using in the market, it may be time to change it up a bit. When your financial situation changes, reevaluating your goals and methods will help you manage your trades more effectively.

Make sure you have at least six months worth of savings in case of job loss, injury, disability, or illness. You can never be too prepared for any of these situations should they arise. Furthermore, keep in mind that emergency funds and savings must be contributed to regularly for them to grow.




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