Regardless of the type of work you do, it’s possible to take action now to start creating a bright financial future for you and your family. When you start now, then things like a raise or better-paying job will become the icing on the tasty cake you’ve already made, and add to your pleasure, rather than having to bail you out of a financial jam.

Try these strategies to ensure your financial outlook is bright:

1. 1. 1. Save at least 15% of your paycheck. This amount will give you something to fall back on when times are especially lean or funds to invest so your money can be working for you.
         • • For example, if you clear $500 a week, ensure you put back at least $75 dollars for your future.
             
             
      2. Find a stock broker you trust. As you save your dollars, it’s wise to have an overall investment plan to earn the most interest over the long haul. However, look at the facts and listen to your gut when it comes to making the final decision on making a particular investment.
         
         
      3. Have just one major credit card and use it sparingly. Charging a small amount on it each month and paying that amount back before the end of the month builds your credit and keeps you out of debt at the same time.
         • • Keep the major part of your credit allowance open for emergencies.
             
             
      4. Vow to never pay finance charges again. Of course, you’ll likely be paying a mortgage and perhaps a car loan that include finance charges you may be unable to avoid. However, outside of those two payments, paying finance charges is like setting fire to your dollar bills. Take steps to insure you pay as few finance fees as possible.
         
         
      5. Pay all your bills on time. There are a few good reasons to do so:
         • • You build a positive credit record.
           • You keep money in your pocket instead of wasting it on late fees.
           • You build confidence that you can manage your money responsibly.
             
             
      6. Find a competent tax preparer and accept his financial advice. A great tax accountant will tell you how you can pay fewer taxes and how to rack up some helpful deductions. He may even offer helpful guidance about how much money to put into your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Roth IRA, or a 401(k).
         
         
      7. Set limits with your kids about money. Teach them from the time they’re young that they must earn their own money and save at least 25% of it. They’ll gain an understanding of money management that will serve them well the rest of their lives.
         
         
      8. Apply $500 to $1,000 yearly extra toward your mortgage principal. If you prefer, pay an additional mortgage payment each year. It will save you thousands in interest. Plus, you’ll pay your home off years earlier, freeing up your funds for whatever you want.
         
         
      9. Keep your resume up to date. You never know when you’ll want to apply for a promotion, change careers, or develop side projects for extra streams of income.
         
         
      10. Consistently accept part-time, short-term, or temporary second jobs. Bringing in extra money occasionally in addition to your full-time work pads your bottom line.
          
          
      11. Hone your computer skills. Those who know their way around a computer are more likely to be successful at work. Broaden your horizons even further by learning about new software in your industry.

Put the above strategies to work to strengthen your money situation. Care for your finances and nurture your financial situation today and every day. When you do, you’ll live the incredible life you’ve always wanted!

You might not consider yourself to be an organized person, but your finances are the last place you want to be disorganized. Having too little cash at the end of the month is a challenge, but overdraft fees and late fees every month are an even bigger concern. By getting organized you dramatically cut down on the likelihood of these things happening.

Follow these steps and you’ll be more organized that you ever thought you could be:

1. 1. 1. Look at your budget every month. Ensure that your budget is accurate. No two months are ever the same, so be sure your budget reflects reality for the upcoming month. For example, electricity bills can be much higher in the summer if you use air conditioning or in the winter if you have the heat turned up.
         • • If you don’t have a budget, make one now! There are an unlimited number of resources available to make the job a lot easier. Budgets are critical. Your budget is your key to having your money work for you!
             
             
      2. Utilize financial software. Some of the software available now can really help you to get organized, track your spending and bills, and help with budgeting. Many programs are free.
         • • You might actually find working with your money to be enjoyable when you can use a computer and specialized software. It’s a whole different experience than laboring over your hand-written figures on paper.
             
             
      3. Keep all your bills in one place. Avoid leaving some of them on the kitchen counter, some in the junk drawer, and some on the desk. Having one specific location for all your bills will ensure that nothing gets lost, and it’ll also give you the best chance to ensure that everything gets paid on time.
         • • Store your bills close to where you normally sit and pay them. Keep them out in the open where you can see them regularly.
           • When you’re done paying them, retain any records you need and shred everything else to protect yourself from identity theft.
             
             
      4. Pay your bills weekly. Each week, pay any bills that are due in the next couple of weeks. Choose a day and make a habit of paying your bills on that same day each week. Developing good habits is a big part of staying organized.
         
         
      5. Make a checklist of your bills. This should include all your recurring bills. Then, when the bill arrives, you can note the day it arrived, the amount due, the date it’s due, and the day you actually paid it. Any non-recurring bills can be added to the checklist when they arrive.
         
         
      6. Communicate regularly with anyone who shares your account(s). Whoever pays the bills needs to know what the other person is doing with the account. Develop a system to ensure that the bill payer is kept in the loop at all times.
         • • Financial matters can be a source of stress in relationships, so work out an effective system before it becomes a challenge.
             
             
      7. Have two accounts. Mishaps are a lot less likely to happen if you have one account that is only used to pay bills. Use a separate account for everything else.

Getting your finances well organized is a pretty simple task once you set up a system that works for you. Anytime you can eliminate financial clutter in your life, your mental chaos goes down and things seem to go more smoothly as well.

These seven tips will provide a great foundation for your organization effort. Regardless of how you’ve handled your finances in the past, you can put this plan into action today to make your future financial organizing easy and beneficial.

If budgeting and preparing expense sheets sound like tasks only an accountant would do, think again. Keeping track of your personal finances – even if you have an accountant – is important to your financial future.

It not only gives you a keen awareness of your money situation, but also increases your chances of making smart spending and investment decisions.

Following these crucial tips will help you create a secure financial future for you and your family.

Spend Less Than You Earn

Although this tip sounds straightforward, you may sometimes find it daunting to actually put it into practice. However, reevaluating where you’re spending money can significantly increase the scope of your earnings and help you live within your means.

• • • The best way to get started is to write out all of your monthly expenses and see how this compares to your monthly income. This important first step will help you determine the current state of your personal finances.
    • Take a second look at this list and see if you have any expenses that can be eliminated or reduced. Be honest with yourself. Which expenses show wasting your money on things that aren’t even important to you? Focus on keeping what’s important and eliminating the rest
    • For example, while there’s nothing inherently wrong with spending five dollars per day on a Frappuccino, if your income doesn’t support this kind of spending, it may be in your best interest to do without this small luxury for the time being.
    • Invest in a good budgeting program, like Quicken or QuickBooks, to help you keep track of your spending and simplify the task.

Make Your Money Work For You

This can be as simple as taking advantage of the compound interest offered by most savings accounts.

Making sound investments can help increase your annual income over 5%. You don’t need to invest aggressively to get this kind of return, either. Ask friends and family for referrals to trustworthy brokers to help you get started.

Protect Your Money

Ensure that you have a plan to protect your assets in case something unforeseen happens. There’s nothing worse than working hard for your money and then losing it due to poor planning and shortsighted investments.

• • • Sometimes, slow and steady not only wins the race with respect to your personal investing strategies, but it can also put your money at lower risk.
    • Beware of any instant growth opportunities or investment clubs that promise overnight fortunes. These may include seminars with “self-made millionaires” that pressure you into signing up with a program that might not be a legitimate source of income. Take the time to research investment opportunities before you commit your money to them.
    • Consider obtaining renter or homeowner insurance to help protect your assets.

Knowing how to manage your money is a fundamental aspect of any successful long-term personal investment strategy.

If you take just a small amount of time to analyze your spending habits, you may surprise yourself with how much money you can save! You can then invest these savings in a way that will help you see returns year after year.

Wouldn’t it be a great feeling to know that you’re moving ahead financially? Even an additional $100 a month in savings would help most families. To find extra money for saving, dig deep into your money management and spending habits.

Consider these suggestions for finding $50 a week to bank. After all, if you do, you’ll end up with an extra $200 per month. In just 6 months, you’ll have saved $1,200.

1. 1. Think about the money that you spend each week on beverages. Buying extra sodas at the convenience store or the fuel station are eating up part of your $50 for the week. Do you buy coffee every day on your way to work? Even 3 coffees a week can add up to over $10.
      • • Consider bringing your beverages from home and save the money towards the $50 for your bank account at the end of the week.
   2. Eating lunch out costs money. Perhaps you allow for lunches in your budget. But would you consider taking your lunch every other day, or at least 3 days out of the 5-day workweek?
      • • You’d stand to save at least $5 (and maybe close to $10) for each lunch you don’t eat from a restaurant.
        • Alternatively, eat only at restaurants and fast food businesses for which you have coupons. You can find restaurant coupons in your Sunday paper practically every week. Vow to use coupons for your lunches to save money to bank.
          
          
   3. Set a goal to trim $5 to $10 from your weekly grocery bill:
      • • What products are you buying that are expensive, unhealthy, or just plain unnecessary?
        • Maybe you’re paying $4-plus for a processed snack food.
        • Substitute something else at half the cost for those pricey items.
        • If you usually buy a high-fat item, consider omitting it from your list.
        • Focus on your store’s sales and buy-one-get-one-free offers.
        • Be cautious about buying something just because it’s on sale.
        • Try some of the store’s generic products for more savings.
          
          
   4. Save money on gas. Make a vow to stay out of the car at least 2 days a week.
      • • If you work from home, you can avoid driving 3 or more days a week. Besides, once you go out in the car, you’re going to spend money on other things besides fuel.
        • Can you carpool to work? Do you live close enough to walk? What about public transportation?
        • Consider running errands and shopping on your way home from work so it won’t take any extra gas to complete those tasks.
          
          
   5. Deposit part of your cash into the bank. Then, do what you can to avoid withdrawing money once you place it in your account.
      • • You might be able to save at least another $10 through this method: keeping back only $1.43 of your change each day adds up to $10 per week. You’ll hardly notice the dent in your cash, but your bank account will steadily grow.
        • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash because if you have it with you, you might spend it.
          
          
   6. Think about excess services you pay for that you can delay. For example, if you get a manicure each week, switch to every other week to save a bundle of cash.

Make it a goal to find $50 each week to deposit into your bank account. You’ll feel like a rock star as you watch your money grow. Apply these suggestions to discover and bank $50 every week to build your savings account.

Most of us are not financially fit. We are not completely aware of how our money is being spent. We have too much debt and spend money on the wrong things. While it can be challenging to turn things around, it’s well within your reach.

There is no single, correct path to financial prosperity. Different solutions work for different people.

While there are multiple paths, there are some steps that are critical, regardless of the path followed:

1. 1. Know where your money is being spent. Many people only have a vague idea about how much money they make and where it goes. The first step to financial fitness is know exactly how much you’re taking home and where it’s being spent.
      • • Websites such as Mint.com make it easy to track how every penny is being spent each month. There are other, similar, services. 
          
          
   2. Set short-term and long-term goals. Set a few goals that will cover the next month, year, and five years. How are you going to make these goals come to fruition?
      
      
   3. Allocate your spending wisely. A few simple guidelines will help you to regain your financial fitness. If you’re already in a good place financially, these guidelines will help you to stay there:
      • • Keep your fixed expenses to 50% or less of your take-home pay. This includes things like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, car payments, gas, and food. Basically, the things you must spend money on each month.
        • Use 20% of your take-home pay to build an emergency fund, pay off your debt, and to save for your retirement. It is recommended that your emergency fund be able to cover your fixed expenses for 6-9 months. How the money is split between your retirement, debt, and emergency fund will depend on your situation.
        • The remaining 30% can be used as you see fit. This is the money you can spend on vacations, eating out, or hiring a landscaper. This money can also be put towards the previous category, but be sure to enjoy your life along the way.
          
          
   4. Eliminate your debt. Debt is the most insidious obstacle to your financial fitness.
      1. • Be aware of your credit score. There’s no need to ever pay to get your credit score. There are many free options available, like CreditKarma.com. Lenders are obsessed with your credit score. You should be even more obsessed.
         • Be careful with your credit cards. It’s always best to be cautious about whipping out the credit card. If you don’t have the money in your bank account, it’s important to think about how critical this purchase really is.
           
           
   5. Get adequate insurance. What could be worse than finally getting back into good financial shape, only to have it all wiped out by an illness or house fire? Protect your assets and limit your liability.

Reaching a point of financial fitness is a worthy objective. Not only does it give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy your life, it also makes your future much more secure. Allocating your funds properly helps to ensure that you have enough.

Have financial goals and protect your assets. While insurance feels like a painful expense, it really is necessary. A single disaster could be financially ruinous. Get started today and become financially fit.

Life today is much more complicated than it used to be; every generation can probably make that claim. Taking the time to simplify your life can really save you a lot of money and give you more free time. Simplifying can make your life more enjoyable; it’s really not about being restrictive.

Here are 7 ideas to get you started:

1. 1. Whenever possible, buy durable goods. Disposable items are a big part of our lives. This includes things like disposable razors, disposable diapers, disposable cameras, and more. We even have no-contract cell phones, which are commonly referred to as ‘throw away’ phones.
      • • Many of the disposable items in our lives have a more durable solution that is less expensive in the long run. Consider all the items you regularly throw away and replace with a new item. Try to buy something just once.
          
          
   2. Let go of being style-driven. Does your used car run just fine and get you from point A to point B? If so, you don’t need a new car. Do $20 jeans keep your legs covered in a socially acceptable way? If so, you don’t need $100 jeans. Be strong enough to buy what you need instead of what you believe will impress others.
      • • Being free of the worry of being judged is one of the greatest freedoms of all.
          
          
   3. Recycle everything you can. In some cases, you’re only helping the environment and not helping yourself financially. But it’s possible to get some money out of many of the things that you frequently throw in the trash. Call your local recycling center to find out what items they will pay you for.
      • • Don’t just throw away clothing, furniture, toys, and appliances. Just because it no longer meets your needs doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t enjoy it. Sell the stuff you can and donate anything else to a charitable organization. At the very least, you’ll get a tax deduction.
        • You can recycle many items in your own home by figuring out a way to reuse the item. This can save you from having to buy another item. For example, if you use outgrown or worn-out clothes to make a rug or patchwork quilt, you don’t have to buy a quilt or a rug. Many types of paper items can be re-used decoratively as gift wrap.
          
          
   4. Grow your own food. Not only is the quality a lot better, but it’s also much cheaper than the produce in the store. Gardening can be relaxing and enjoyable. Kids love it, too. You’ll even save by not spending gas on unnecessary trips to the store.
      
      
   5. Be energy efficient. Take shorter showers; you’ll use less hot water and have more free time. Did you know that a low-flow showerhead could potentially pay for itself in a month?
      • • The newer fluorescent bulbs last a lot longer, so you won’t have to take the time to change them as frequently. The bulbs are much less expensive over time due to their longevity and lower power usage.
          
          
   6. Downsize, when possible. Buying more than you need just creates more stuff in your way that you have to deal with sooner or later. It’s also wasteful since you have to throw some of it away in the end. Do you always buy the large size ‘just in case’? It’s more expensive and creates clutter to buy more than necessary.
      
      
   7. Cut out the irrelevant. Look at all your activities, hobbies, clubs, and everything else. Do you really enjoy all of them enough to justify the time and monetary expense? Removing the irrelevant activities frees up your time to bring more meaningful activities into your life and also saves money.

Simplifying your life is great; you have more free time and can save money, too. We all have more stuff than we need and spend too much time on things that really aren’t that important to us. Start small, but start today.

A simple life is a richer life, in more ways than one.

Financial concerns have the potential to keep us awake at night. Unfortunately, most of us wait until a crisis is upon us before we get busy. Do what’s best for you and your family and prepare now. You’ll sleep better at night knowing that you have plans in place for contingencies.

Begin using these strategies now – before a financial challenge arises – and you’ll lessen its negative impact on your life:

1. 1. 1. Have sufficient savings. Set aside enough money in things like checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, and short-term certificates of deposit to cover 3-6 months of living expenses. You should have this in place before you begin investing money elsewhere.
         • • Some benefits of these accounts are that they don’t fluctuate with market conditions, and there is no tax penalty for withdrawing the money, unlike retirement accounts.
             
             
      2. Make a budget. If you don’t already have a budget, there’s no time like the present to get started. The first step to making a real change is to measure where you’re at right now.
         • • Developing a budget will provide you with the information you really need to take control of your spending and free up funds for saving.
             
             
      3. Consider how you would reduce your monthly expenses. You don’t have to make changes now, but take a look at your monthly bills and see where you could alter your spending if you needed to. You’ll feel most financially secure with a plan already in place.
         
         
      4. Be aggressive with your bills. Get organized and sit down with all your bills twice a month to pay the bills that are coming due. Many families waste money every month in late fees and other penalties.
         • • Make a list of all your bills and their due dates. Review as needed to ensure that you pay on time.
             
             
      5. Reduce your credit card debt. Credit card interest can really eat into your budget every month. If you have your emergency savings taken care of, this is now the best place to put any extra money after your expenses have been worked into your budget.
         
         
      6. Find a less expensive credit card. If the interest rate is high on your current card, shop around and see what you can find. You may be able to receive a zero interest offer for balance transfers or a greatly reduced interest rate, at least to start with.
         • • Never pay more interest than you have to. However, be sure to read the fine print with any credit card offering.
             
             
      7. Earn some extra cash. Sell some of the stuff in the garage, attic, or basement that you don’t really need and use the extra cash to build up your savings or pay off credit card debt.
         • • Establish a second income source. This is especially handy if you happen to lose the first.
             
             
      8. Review your insurance coverage. Are you getting the best deals? Shopping around and comparing policies is time well spent. Also consider disability insurance if you don’t already have it. Ask yourself if you’ll be able to pay all your bills if you’re sick or injured and can’t even get out of bed.

Don’t wait until a financial challenge comes into your life, instead, begin your preparations now and avoid the stress.

Financial hiccups happen to everyone, but those who are ready for them are better able to get back on their feet quickly. Get started now and you’ll sleep like a baby while others are up late worrying about financial disaster.

Do you struggle to save money? At the end of each month, do you wonder where all your money went? Perhaps you spend beyond your means?

If so, then this guide is for you! Discover how saving money is as much a product of the mind as well as your financial habits. And speaking of habits, you’ll see how small positive changes, turned into habits, can automatically add up to big savings!

Consider these ideas:

1. 1. Track your spending. Record every penny you spend for a month. Divide your spending reports into categories, such as restaurants, groceries, entertainment, clothing, house payment, utilities, and other categories. You might be surprised to learn where all your money went!
      • • At the end of a month, analyze your reports. Identify areas where you could cut down. Next month, cut down on those expenses and put the money you saved into your savings.
          
          
   2. Clarify wants versus needs. There are certain things in life that you need to survive, such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. There are also the things that you want. Learn to differentiate between the two and you’ll automatically make some choices that will save you money.
      
      
   3. Buy only what you can afford. You may think that you have to get every new gadget and gizmo available, but if you cannot afford it, the financial struggles they cause will outweigh the enjoyment that you receive from them.
      • • Consider using the cash envelope method of planning for your spending. Divide your expenses into categories and use a different envelope for each category. With each paycheck, divide out your money into the various envelopes.
        • Spend only the money that you’ve planned for each category. Once the cash is gone, it’s gone until more money can be added to that envelope.
        • You may want to save for a few weeks to get enough cash in your envelope for a desired purchase, at which time, you’ll know that you can afford it.
          
          
   4. Do you need that expensive car? If you’re struggling each month to repay the high-interest loan that you had to take out to pay for your car, perhaps you’ll want to rethink whether you need such an expensive car.
      • • In some situations, you might need an expensive car. For example, if you’re a real estate agent and you take clients to look at high end houses for sale, an expensive, luxury car might help you make sales.
        • On the other hand, in reflection, if you bought the car to impress the neighbors, you might feel that the additional expense and resulting financial struggles aren’t really worth it. If this is the case, a downgrade to an attractive, less expensive car may work better for you.
        • Consider what a car is really for: to get you from one place to another, usually for short jaunts within your city. A less expensive car can get you there as well as a high-end car. Plus, you’ll have the extra money to do with as you please.
   5. Consider downsizing. A smaller home can save tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase price and monthly payment, plus costs for maintenance and repairs are less. Even if you rent, a smaller place will likely cost less.
      • • Imagine the amount of money that you could save with a smaller house! All this money can then be used for other things that are important to you, like vacations or to add to your savings for retirement.
        • Downsizing is an important decision that only you can make. Decide what’s more important to you – the larger house or the savings. For example, you might need extra room because you frequently have guests. An office space might be vital to the success of your business.
        • Figure out if downsizing might work for you and, if so, go for it!
   6. Figure out ways in which you can enjoy life while still saving money. Money does not dictate how much you enjoy life. Remember, it’s not the material things in your life that matter most, but rather your friends, family, and the cherished times you have with each other.
      • • Research shows that the experiences in our life bring greater happiness than material items.
        • For example, instead of going out to dinner and a movie, invite your friends over for a potluck dinner and movie night at your house. You can still enjoy a rollicking good evening together while saving money. You might even enjoy it more than sitting in the restaurant and theater!
        • There are many other ways to substitute something less expensive and still have fun, like game night, sports (playing volleyball, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, bowling), card games, going camping or to the beach, and more.
        • Create your own list of activities that are fun for you without costing a lot of money. Invite your friends to do the same and then choose those activities whenever you want to get together. You’ll all have fun and save money too!
          
          
   7. Adopt some small, financially savvy habits, such as:
      1. • Save first. Automatically have a small amount of each paycheck deposited into your savings. You won’t miss what you never see!
         • Let your money work for you. Invest regularly so that money will grow by itself into more money! Over the years, this can add up to many thousands, or tens of thousands, more than what you put in.
         • Cook at home most of the time. Saving money by cutting down on fast food and coffee runs will add up.
         • Buy when things are on sale. Try to avoid ever having to pay full price.
         • Use free or streaming services for watching television. You can likely get the entertainment you want for a much smaller price and pocket some substantial savings.

Saving money doesn’t have to be a burden. Try these tips and you’ll find that you’ll actually have more money for the things you really want in life!