Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Useful Tips To Shape Up Your Financial Life

personal finance tips
Are you spending more? Good do it. But don’t over do it. Because I have seen many people, whoever did this, could not able to overcome the burden of due bills easily. They worked very hard to get out of such a mess. People have a habit of spending more, some of them do it consciously and some unconsciously. And this way they create problems in their Happy Life. Here are some useful tips to get stable financially.

1. Budgeting :
Most people do not make budget and invite troubles in their financial life. Budgeting is one the essential factor to keep control over your money matters. Until and unless you do not undertake, you won’t be able to understand where your money is going? How would you set expenses and saving goals if you don’t know where your money is going? You need to set a budget to enjoy worry free financial life, whether you earn thousands or millions a year.



2. Minimize the use of Credit Cards :
Credit cards another name is plastic money, the little pieces of plastic are easy to carry and use. People use it to pay for a purchase, whether it’s large or small randomly. Often unnecessary things are purchased which are not in the budget. And at some point of time they find themselves in the pile of credit card debt. And this would become one of the obstacles to getting ahead financially.

3. Saving Plans :
Saving is necessary to pass smooth life in later part of your life. Take my example - I used to save some amount after meeting all other financial obligations but hardly could save a sufficient amount. Then I change my thought and put budgeting in effect and set aside a minimum of 5% to 10% of my salary for savings before meeting all other financial obligations. So it would be better if the saving amount automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into a separate account.

4. Retirement Plan Contribution :
If you are a private sector organization employee then you must be heard of 401(k) plan. This plan is sponsored by an employer. The employer acts as a fiduciary. If your employer has this plan, try not turning your head out of this, simply sign up and contribute to it. It has some benefits, which you enjoy in the following like reduces the tax to be paid out of income, reduce pension costs of employees, can be moved from one company’s plan to next. There may be some more. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, you can consider an IRA.

5. Use Employment Benefits :
Use of every possible employment benefits that you have in your hand. There are several benefits your organization may offer like a 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, etc. And I am sure all these options can definitely help you to save some money by reducing taxes or out-of-pocket expenses.
I know these are not enough to handle any financial issues. But atleast these would help to some extent to manage your money matters smoothly. And I know some of you have some better experience, which you are free to share right at my blog.

No comments: