tips
How to manage your finances in six simple steps
Sabah Karimi • January 15, 2019
If you’re asking yourself how to manage your finances, this post is for you. Does it always feel like your finances are spinning out of control? If you have a hard time keeping up with your bills each month or just can’t stick to your budget, it may be time for a quick financial cleanup.
Even if budgeting isn’t your strong point, there are several things you can do to keep yourself in the green in the money department. Taking small steps to improve your money management skills will pay off in the long run. We’ll cover how to save money, the best budgeting app, how to manage your finances and how to get your finances in order.
Schedule monthly bill payments: take control of your finances
Whether it’s the electric bill or credit card payments, stay ahead of your bills by scheduling bill payments online. Set up automatic payments whenever possible. Automating bill payments can prevent late payment fees and protect your credit score. Just make sure to update your monthly budget with the payment amount so that you have an accurate idea of how much cash you have on hand in any given month.
How to save money? Build your cushion and manage money better.
Even if it’s $5 a week or $100 a month, make contributions to a savings account for emergencies every single month. Even small deposits will add up over time and you may be surprised how much you will have stashed away within a few months. Be deliberate about making contributions to this fund every week or every couple of weeks to build up that cushion with minimal effort.
Should I use a budgeting app? Definitely.
Budgeting apps and online tools can help you keep track of expenses and put together a realistic budget in previous posts. Take some time to learn the ins and outs of your app of choice so you are comfortable using it regularly. Whether you decide to log every expense or just want a bird’s eye view of your cash flow situation at any given time, learn about the app’s different features so you get the most benefits out of the habit.
Is it good to have multiple bank accounts? Not necessarily.
Do you have more checking and savings accounts set up at different banks? Having multiple accounts only makes sense when the bank can offer you attractive rates and low fees on different banking products. If you are having a hard time figuring out exactly how much you have in savings or available to spend, consolidate accounts to one bank and consider setting up sub-savings accounts to organize your finances. Maintaining just one good banking relationship may be all you need to get a better handle on your finances.
Get chatty with creditors and manage your debt
If credit card debt is one of your biggest financial concerns, give your creditors a call to negotiate interest rates and review your account. Some can do this without running a credit check and may be open to lowering your rate if you’ve been a longtime cardholder and are in good standing. It never hurts to ask and this simple step could help you whittle down that debt load faster.
Make a budget, accept the budget
Budgeting isn’t always fun but you need one to better manage your finances. Now is a great time to get started. If you’re wondering how to manage your finances, a budget can be a huge help. Even if it’s something as simple as a spreadsheet or something more complex like a software program (we’re big fans of You Need a Budget), accept the fact that you need some type of budget to map out your finances. Accept it. Embrace it. Enjoy some peace of mind.
Check out more personal finance tips
Find out how you can save on your family’s cell phone bill with Ting Mobile.
Ting Mobile’s unique pay for what you use approach saves people a lot of money. See what you’d save.
See what you could save