“Decide that nothing will stop you from achieving your dreams.”
~Billy Cox
This is the year you will make your dreams come true.
You have to decide to dedicate hard work toward accomplishing your goals and manifesting your dreams.
Your time and energy are precious when working toward bringing your dreams to life.
Having your finances in order creates room to focus on your goals. You want as little discretions as possible. Money shouldn’t be something you have to worry about.
The 5 main areas of your finances to consider getting in order are budgeting, saving, investing, debt and income.
Budget
Keep an eye on every cent coming and going whether you do a written budget, us a spreadsheet or an app.
Begin by keeping a simple budget on paper for the month.
Calculate your monthly income:
subtract rent/mortgage, car payment, student loans, credit cards, insurance, phone, internet, cable, utilities, groceries, charity, and savings.
Also add in daycare and any other monthly payments. Then, what is left divide between entertainment and miscellaneous expenses.
You can see this post here for more on how to establish a good budget
Invest
Find the right investment portfolio for your needs and invest on a consistent basis.
Invest in mutual funds, IRAs, 401k plans, and/or individual stocks or a combination of any. Do your research and choose the best for your personal situation.
The easiest way to start is with your 401k plan. Start by investing up to your company’s match. For example, if they match up to 5%, then invest 5% or more.
Don’t be tempted to touch the money. Think of the penalties and extra taxes that will be attached if you do. There are a few exceptions when you can actually withdraw money from your 401k without facing penalties. Check with your company to find out what they are.
If you’re self-employed look into a good Roth IRA. Grow your funds bigger this year by adding to your investments if you already have an IRA.
Get with a good financial advisor for more information on mutual funds and individuals stocks.
Save
Everyone knows how important it is to save. But, a huge percentage of households do not save one single penny.
Which, in my opinion, is sad.
When an emergency arises, and it will, you will have to borrow money because you don’t have savings to pull from. This creates unnecessary debt.
Have a few hundred to a thousand dollars saved up to prevent such scenarios.
Try this little trick if you feel you aren’t disciplined enough to save:
Open a savings account at a small neighborhood bank miles and miles from your side of town (at least 30 minutes to an hour away). Do not accept a bank card, online banking or any other conveniences when opening this account.
Next have a percentage of your payroll check going into this account before it ever hits the account that your paycheck is deposited into. This way you never see that money, eliminating temptation to spend.
For example, let’s say you get paid $825 every week. On Friday $25 will be automatically deposited into the small town bank across town with limited access to you. And the rest of your paycheck will be automatically deposited into your main checking account that you frequently use.
In 6 months you will have $600 saved without even being fully aware of the fact. That gives you a savings of $1200 in 12 months.
This is amazing.
Now you actually have a savings account. Don’t look at your statements or you might be tempted to spend this money. When an emergency comes up, like car trouble you can pay the small town bank a visit and withdrawal from your emergency savings fund. 🙂
Have a savings goal to save at least 6 months of your monthly expenses to start an emergency fund.
Debt
Paying off all debt is ideal of course.
Can’t afford to pay everything off right now?
Well at least get it under control and in good standing so it won’t negatively affect your credit score.
Start with credit card debt. For starters stop opening new accounts and lower the amount of credit you use. Put yourself on a payment plan and have a goal to pay your current balances off in a certain time period. Get with a credit counselor if you need additional help paying off a significant large amount.
If your student loans are in default work on getting them out. Begin making regular payments. I don’t care if it’s just $15 a month. These payments will show you are making an effort to pay your bills and creditors like to see this. Plus regular payments could keep you from being garnished. Hardship payments should be you next move.
The key is to get your larger debt (the debt you are unable to pay in full at this time) in good standing to build a decent credit score.
Income
If you are happy with your full-time job and plan on remaining employed for years, make sure you amp up your 401k plan. Also, save bonus and keep an eye out for promotions if you choose to pursue one. Plan on using your vacation time to give balance to your life.
There’s nothing worse than feeling over worked and burned out.
For those of you who are full-time entrepreneurs or pursuing becoming an entrepreneur keep in mind you will be responsible for your own taxes, health care, retirement plan and any other benefits you received from your former employer. Get professional help if you are feeling overwhelmed handling any of these task.
Whatever you are doing to bring in an income make sure you are happy and doing what you love. If not make a change.
Always, when self-employed, have an emergency fund saved up. If zombies attack and destroy all the internet towers how will you blog or work your online business?
You’ll want to have enough money saved up to tie you over until the coast guard comes through and gets things back in working order.
If you’re fully employed we all know too well about layoffs, cutbacks and the company going bankrupt in today’s job market. So, have an emergency fund in order to deal with such setbacks.
Take away…..
When you begin to get your financial life in order room for you to piece other areas of your life together begin falling into place. The burden of your finances decapitates.
You are now free to concentrate on other aspects of your life.
You don’t have to waste energy and time solving unorganized financial issues anymore. You’re able to clearly see your true financial worth.
Now you can map out your next financial goal.
This could be learning about better investments, coming up with a plan to pay off large amounts of debt in full, planning for early retirement, saving for college or working on increasing your income.
Put more of your time and energy into the dreams you have always wanted to accomplish. Stop constantly telling yourself you can’t.
How do you plan to get your finances in order this year?
Rawlings sunday says
These are great tips to help achieve your financial goals for the year. Through budgeting you can save and invest more and know where your money is going.
https://rawlingsunday.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/13-reasons-you-are-in-debt/
Elisha says
This is so true Rawlings and thank you for commenting.
Taryn says
Great post with a lot of useful information! Thanks for sharing!
Elisha says
I’m glad you found the information helpful.
Lyndsey says
I completely agree! getting your financial house in order is imperative to reaching other goals. Thanks for sharing!
Elisha says
Your welcome.
Belle says
These are really great tips! I need to do better to make our financial life better. We’re working towards a solution for it. So hopefully, it will improve soon.
Belle | http://www.OneAwesomeMomma.com
Elisha says
That’s awesome Belle. It can be a challenge. It took me awhile and I still have work to do. So, yours will improve. It just takes some time, patience and dedication.
Nakia says
Great post!!! This may sound a little crazy but I really have to work on being consistent with our budget. We save, pay our debts, invest, and give but when it comes to our budget we don’t stay consistent. Your post just reminded me that we need to get back on it. Thank you!
Elisha says
You’re welcome and l agree about the budget. Sometimes it gets hard for me too. I’m going to try one of the many apps out there and if they work well I just may write a post about it.
ThrifDeeDubai says
Very informative! Some great tips on gettting our finances in check! This is a great start especially for those who want to save.
Thanks for sharing!
Elisha says
You’re welcome ☺
Jiya B says
Financial plans and goals are really important and they give you a sence of secure future. thanks for all these amazing tips here.
Elisha says
Yes this is so true. This is one reason why I try so hard to work on keeping mine in order.
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This comes right on time as I’ve been taking a hard look at my finances to be more financially responsible!
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Great! I’m so happy you found the post helpful.
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