
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a magic formula or an easy trick, which helped you in such a way that you don’t have to worry about money ever again? Sure, it would be, but we know that this kind of thing doesn’t exist. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot manage your personal finances on your own. Yes, there are financial planners and advisors you could hire, but it is just throwing good money away. The tips they provide you for personal financial management are those that you already know; you just don’t want to implement them.
Are you tired of being constantly stressed about managing your personal finances? Luckily, there are a few simple steps that can aid you in effective financial management. Once you start following these steps, your stress levels are automatically going to diminish and you will be in better control of where your money is going. The steps that you need to take are outlined below:
Step 1: Begin with goals
The first thing you need to do is write down specific goals about what you wish to do with your life and money. Different areas of your life can be impacted due to your finances. If your aim is to travel the world, it is going to have an effect on your financial management. If you want to retire early, you will have to adjust your finances and savings accordingly. Thus, it is important for you to note down your goals in order of priority. This will help you in deciding what you can and cannot do with your current financial position and how you can plan for the future.
Step 2: Make a plan
You will be able to reach your goals with a plan, which needs to be divided into several parts. First and foremost, you need to set a budget for yourself because it is the key to success. The second portion of your plan should be focused on helping you get out of debt as the money you free up can help you in reaching your long-term goals.
Step 3: Follow your budget
The whole point of establishing a budget is to follow it. You need to stay in your limits and control your spending as much as possible. Increase your savings and think about the things you want to do in the long run. Focusing on today is not going to help you in sticking to your budget. It is easier to spend money than it is to make it and this is something you need to remind yourself on a regular basis. You need to write down your expenses and figure out where you are overspending. Try cutting back gradually so it doesn’t come off as a serious blow. Do your best to avoid letting your desires get in the way.
Step 4: Get out of debt
Almost every person has to deal with the issue of debt these days and this is a huge obstacle you need to overcome if you want to reach your financial goals. Debt accumulation has become easier for everyone due to the widespread use of credit cards. Moreover, the availability of simple and hassle-free financing options such as log book loans that enable you to get finance by offering your vehicle as security, all the while still using it, have made it considerably easy for people to find themselves in debt. You need to come up with a debt elimination plan by getting rid of your credit cards and focusing on paying your debts one at a time while making minimum payments on the rest. Start saving as well for an emergency fund so you don’t have to use credit cards at all. This will cut back on the interest payments you have to make and you will be able to get out of debt gradually.
Step 5: Get some advice
If you have managed to save a substantial amount, it would be foolish to let the money lie around. You can now get in touch with a financial planner to know the best investment vehicles where you can put your money in and get some regular returns. This opens up a new source of income for you and takes you a step closer to your goals.
I use Geltbox Money.
Geltbox is a personal financial aggregator designed for homes and small businesses. Geltbox gives you a clear overview of your expenses, investments, loans and assets. It aims to help you plan your monthly savings and your investments. The ultimate goal is to help you reach financial security.
What makes Geltbox Money special and unique?
Geltbox Money lets you sync to any financial website in the world.
No need to use online financial aggregators, which are limited to certain financial institutions.
Record your own downloaders and have them run automatically in your device.
Can work in most countries in the world.
Data and credentials are stored and encrypted locally.
No need to give away your user names and passwords.
No need to store your personal financial information online
More features:
Complete overview of all your accounts: checking, credit cards, investments, loans and assets.
Insightful graphs.
Flexible and colorful labeling and budgeting.
Customizable reports.
Import and export of financial data.
Easy editing and fast search of transactions.
Backup all your data.