The best magazine
Before you decide to buy a home, weigh your decision very carefully. You need to be realistic about your financial resources in both the short- and the long-term. Can you afford the down payment and the mortgage? Will you be able to continue to meet the payment schedule in years to come? If you are not entirely sure of your resources, it's better to put off your home purchase until you are.
If you have a good credit score, be careful about co-signing for someone, especially if they have a bad score or are not likely to pay off their debt. Co-signing does not improve your own score in any way and puts a lot of pressure on you. Do it if you are sure that the person you are co-signing for can do the same for you.
Always openly communicate with your spouse about your financial situation. It is a proven fact that couples fight more often about money than almost any other subject. Lying to your spouse about frivolous spending, your savings plan, or past debts, can only lead to disaster. Be truthful, open, and honest, to keep your relationship in tip top shape.
Do not take on more debt than you can actually handle. Just because you qualify for the loan for the top of the line model of the car you want doesn't mean you should take it. Try to keep your debts low and reasonable. An ability to get a loan doesn't mean you'll have the ability to pay it.
Streamline your financial life by moving into a smaller home. Even though you may be able to pay a larger mortgage, take the smaller one and build up your savings, instead. A smaller home means lower maintenance costs, less furniture to buy, and a comfortable, cottagey feeling that could even, bring your family closer together.
Satisfaction is how you can begin to save money and get control of your financial situation. You have to know that saving and pinching those pennies is well worth the effort. Some people are simply addicted to spending and running up their credit limit. So stick with a savings plan and enjoy that feeling of satisfaction you get when you're looking at 5 digits.
One sure fire way to save money is to prepare meals at home. Eating out can get expensive, especially when it's done several times a week. In the addition to the cost of the food, there is also the cost of gas (to get to your favorite restaurant) to consider. Eating at home is healthier and will always provide a cost savings as well.
At the end of every day, empty out all of the change in your pockets, purse, and briefcase into a jar for saving. Once per month, you can deposit the money into your savings account, where it will earn interest. Avoid losing out on surcharges and fees from coin-counting machines.
What is there in your daily habits that you could eliminate from spending? A latte, pack of cigarettes or bottle of wine? These expenses are small ways of taxing yourself out of saving. If you cut out this expense on a daily basis, and put the money in a savings account instead, you could be amazed at the total by years end.
For parents who want to get personal finances on their child's mind as early as possible giving them an allowance can create a cash flow for them to develop their skills with. An allowance will teach them to save for desired purchases and how to manage their own money. Also the parent is still there to help them along.
Your family should have a strong financial picture if you want to be in control of your life. Getting your finances under control has a trickle down effect on every area of your life. As we have discussed in this article, getting started can feel confusing, but it doesn't have to. If you follow the simple steps discussed here, your financial forecast will improve and your life will, too.
Source: ...