If, like most consumers, you weren’t very good about keeping your New Year’s resolutions, but you’re still hoping to end 2015 with more money in the bank than you have now, the next 10 tips and bits of advice will definitely help you meet your goal. Enjoy.
Tip #1: Start using Cash instead of credit and debit cards. This is a simple strategy that will help you to spend less, sometimes drastically. If you take out a specific amount of cash at the beginning of the week and don’t spend more than that, you will not only quickly realize how all of the little purchases you make add up, but you will also spend less overall.
Tip #2: Increase your contributions to your 401(k). This is really a no-brainer. If you have a 401(k) at work you definitely should be putting in as much as possible, especially if your employer has a matching program that matches a specific amount of the contributions that you make.
Tip #3: Make one of your goals this year to pay down as much credit card debt as possible come out while not creating any more debt. Start with the credit card that has the highest interest rate and, once that’s paid off, start with the next and keep going. Do that until everything is paid down and, during that time, don’t put anything new on your credit cards unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Tip #4: Start putting 10% of your income aside every week. You’ve heard the Nike slogan “just do it” and that’s exactly what you need to start doing with your income; Just save it. 10% a week is really not that much but, at the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at how much money you have in a savings account, emergency fund or IRA.
Tip #5: Raise the deductibles on your insurance. The way you need to look at insurance is in “catastrophe mode”. If something small happens and you have to pay $500, $600 dollars or even up to $1000 out of your own pocket, the savings that you will get from increasing your deductibles really make it worth it for the time when something devastating happens and you need, say, $180,000 to replace half of your home that was torn up in a tornado.
Tip #6: Make more money! If you think you don’t have enough time or energy to earn more then think again. Even if you have a full time job there are still plenty of ways to earn extra cash. An easy one that comes to mind is writing SEO content for bloggers. You can earn as much as $50 an article once you become established. The best part, you can earn this money from the comfort of your own home.
Great tips you have there.
Everyone loves creating more wealth, but sometimes it’s not that easy.
But completely agree with tip# 1. My parents have always been against credit cards and debit cards as they say that you don’t realise the value of money until you physically have to give it away. And that’s actually true. You always end up buying unnecessary things when you have to pay with card. But are always more cautious when you have cash on you.
Other than that tip#4 is great as well and should be done by everyone. Only difference for me is that my father has taught us siblings that you should be saving 30% of your income, no matter what. Seems quite a lot, but then you do end up buying only necessities. Plus all these savings early on in life will give you a great start for when you are ready to make big purchases (such as a house) or for when you are ready to start your own family and so on. Besides being young, your body can take a lot. So make use of this time.