February 22, 2012

Improving Your Spending Habits

Basic creditcard / debitcard / smartcard graph...

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For many Americans, salaries are decreasing and the cost of living continuously rises. Because of this, budgeting is important for most households. Taking time to track expenses and earnings will help one ensure they are not overspending.

Determine A Budget

A bit of time spent creating a ledger of earnings or take home pay and bills each month will help determine the leftover money. This “play” money can be put on a prepaid visa and used for various expenses or extras. By using this card, you can ensure the money you need for bills will be in your bank account when you need it. You will not be late for other bills which will help keep your credit score at a good place. Your credit score is used to determine the interest rate you get for auto, home or other personal loans.

Shop Around

Another way to save money is to shop around. Compare pricing and plans for various expenses you have, be they cell phones, cable & internet or home phone service. Many companies offer an incentive to transfer and any money you save is money you can use toward something else.

Ultimately, improving your spending habits will lower stress, increase your credit score and keep you happy. Being aware of what things cost, how much you’re spending and how much you can spend are all important to maintain a healthy budget. Prepaid credit cards are a great way to stay in the clear with expenses. Try one for yourself!

Changing Your Financial Life

As illustrated in a 1912 edition of the book

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Ordering an expensive bottle of wine at dinner or paying for a cover charge at a trendy night club might seem like fun at the time, but it is the type of frivolous spending that can get people into trouble. Even though it seems simple, the best financial advice might come from Wilkins Micawber.

The fictional character from the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield noted that the difference between happiness and misery is simply staying within a budget, no matter how meager. While that might seem like simple and easy to follow advice, not even Micawber could follow it. He ended up in debtor’s prison.

While going to jail over debts no longer occurs, poor finances still result in plenty of misery. Sticking with a budget requires planning, commitment and for some people, a change in lifestyle. For emergencies, consider pay day loans. Otherwise, here are some hints to get your financial house in order.

  • Know your income and expenses. How much do you pay on average for rent, food and other obligations?
  • What expenses you cut reduce? Designer handbags might look great, but dropping thousands of dollars on a Gucci bag might break your budget.
  • Do not go into unnecessary debt. Get a mortgage for your home, but not for a vacation home. Buy a used car instead of making payments on a new car.

Staying out of debt might be the best way to stay within budget. There are better things to spend hard-earned money on instead of making interest payments on a loan.

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