Simple Finances

Planning for your financial future can seem like a daunting task at times. With so many unknowns and a longer timeline ahead of you, many people get intimidated by the prospect. However, by taking things one step at a time and ensuring that you have the proper tools by your side, you can make sure you are prepared for what the future holds for you financially. Keep Track of Your Money Making sure you know exactly what resources you have available is a key piece of your future financial plans. Making a budget can be a great benefit to you and your loved ones, as it allows you to better section out your expenses and visualize exactly where you are spending your money. Through adjusting certain financial areas and accommodating others, you can make sure you are comfortable with your finances and ensure you are spending where you want to be. There are several helpful apps that can aid you along the way in your financial journey, allowing you to create categories for your spending and providing visual elements to show you where your money is going, and where you might want to cut back. Plan for the Unexpected Although the unexpected may be just that, it’s important to plan for events that may be out of your control. This doesn’t mean worrying about every small detail, but it’s important to make sure that you can support yourself financially should something out of the ordinary happen. Creating an emergency fund is a great way to ensure that you have financial security should any unexpected events occur, and provides you a safety net for you and your loved ones moving forward. Many people consider their home to be one of their most beneficial assets, both financially and emotionally. Home is where your heart is, and as for the physical manifestation of your home, that should be protected for both peace of mind in addition to any financial benefit it may provide. Many people invest in a quality home warranty option to make sure their appliances in addition to their plumbing and electrical are covered should anything happen to them. In addition, homeowner’s insurance and other aspects of protecting your living space provides you with both emotional and financial security. Invest in Your Savings Investing in your future self is a key component of protecting and building your financial future. If you work at a company that provides a 401(k) match, do everything in your power to at least meet the matching percentage, and everything else you contribute on top of that is an additional bonus. Likewise, make sure you are putting money aside from your paycheck towards a retirement or savings account. This may seem difficult at times depending on your current income or monthly expenses, but in the long run, you can be building a more solid financial base for your future. Compounding interest is your friend, so try and take advantage of the time you have to invest your money and help it grow into the future to provide for you. Manage Your Debt Controlling and managing your debt plays a large role in your financial future, as having too much debt or defaulting on it can greatly affect your credit score and your ability to borrow money in the future. Try to make sure you are not spending above your credit limit on any cards you may own, and do your best to pay all your bills in full, on time. Treating your credit card like cash can help you better manage your money, and ensure you are only spending within your means. If you have debt or bills you are attempting to pay off, make sure you set up automatic payments if available. This will ensure that you never miss a payment period. In doing so, you should pay close attention to your current funds, as you always want to have enough in your account to cover that next payment period and pay off your debt as quickly as possible. Look for Ways to Increase Your Income Increasing your income doesn’t have to simply come from getting a raise or a bonus, but you can find other ways to earn more money on the side. From selling some items on eBay to delivering food after hours, any way you can help boost your income just a little bit can help you build a stronger financial future. Many people turn to options of passive income, meaning income that you can earn without having to devote a substantial amount of your time to. This can range from renting out a piece of your property to earning income through affiliate marketing. Anyway you can pad your income, without having direct involvement, should be taken into consideration! To many people, finances are often a daunting and rather goliath task to tackle. Through breaking things up and taking your finances one step at a time, you can begin to comprehend each aspect's purpose. Keeping track of your current income and expenses can help you understand where you’re at currently, and planning for and shaping your financial future can help ensure you end up where you belong, in the best financial health to support you and your loved ones.