by Abubakar Yakubu October 26, 2021

You don’t need a higher paying or unexpected job from relatives to improve your personal finances. For many people, better money management is enough to lower their costs, increase their ability to invest and save, and achieve financial goals that once seemed impossible.

Even if you feel like your finances are stuck in a bad place with no way out, there are things you can do to create a better situation for yourself. Here are seven to get you started.

1. Track your expenses to improve your finances.

If you don’t know what and where you spend each month, there’s a good chance your personal spending habits will improve.

Better money management starts with spending awareness. Use a money management app to track expenses by category and see for yourself how much you spend on trivial things like dinner, entertainment and even coffee each day. Once you learn these habits, you can make plans for improvement.

2. Reduce recurring costs.

Do you subscribe to a service you never use? It’s easy to forget about monthly subscriptions to streaming services and mobile apps that drain your bank account, even if you don’t use these services on a regular basis.

Review the costs of these fees and consider canceling unnecessary subscriptions to save more money each month.

3. Collect your savings—even if it takes time.

Create an emergency fund to use if unforeseen circumstances arise. Even if your contribution is small, these funds can save you from risky situations where you are forced to borrow at high interest rates or are unable to pay your bills on time.

You should also make a general savings contribution to increase your financial security if you lose your job. Use automatic contributions such as changing your FSCB pocket to add to this fund and strengthen your spending habits.

4. Pay your bills on time every month.

Paying your bills on time is an easy way to manage your money wisely, and it has a big advantage: It helps you avoid late fees and prioritize basic expenses.

A strong history of on-time payments can also improve your credit score and increase your interest rates.

5. Create a realistic monthly budget.

Use your monthly spending habits, as well as your monthly home salary, to create a budget that you know you can save.

There’s no point in setting a tight budget based on drastic changes like: For example, never eat out if you’re currently ordering four times a week. Create a budget that fits your lifestyle and spending habits.

You should see your budget as a way to encourage better habits, such as: B. Cook more at home, but give yourself a realistic experience to meet this budget. This is the only way this money management method works.

6. Save money on big purchases.

Several types of loans and debts can be useful with major purchases, such as: the house or even the car you need right now. But for other big purchases, cash is the safest and cheapest option to buy.

When you buy cash, you avoid earning interest and getting into debt that takes months, or even years, to pay off.

Meanwhile, this deposited money can remain in the bank account and earn interest that can be pledged as collateral for your purchases.

7. Start an investment strategy.

Even if your investment options are limited, you can earn more income with a small contribution to the investment account with the money you have earned.

Find out if your employer offers a 401(k) match, which basically works as free cash. Consider opening a retirement or other investment account.

The path to better finances begins with changing your own habits.

Some of these changes will be easier than others, but if you stick to this transformation, you will acquire great money management skills that will serve you throughout your life – and in the meantime, have more money in your pocket.

Learn more about personal finance at https://freefinance.co.za

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