Take Charge of Your Money: 50 Finance Tips

Author: AB Staff

Take Charge of Your Money: 50 Finance Tips

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You’re inundated with money advice all day long, from friends, family and coworkers to social media, TV, and even online articles just like this one. It can be tough to sift through all the junk to get to the money tips that will actually help, so we did it for you.

Here are 50 money tips you can count on to help you change the way you think about money for the better:

  1. Make A Money Calendar – Its easier to stay organized and on top of your payments, taxes etc if you have an organized financial calendar. Start by marking these important dates.
  2. Stay On Top of Interest Rates – Being aware of your accounts’ different interest rates can save you a ton of money in the long run. Know interest rates for your savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.
  3. Budget, Baby – Make a budget and stick to it. It’s that simple. Need help building a personal budget? Check out tools like this one.
  4. Cash is Your Friend – If you have trouble sticking to your budget, consider going all cash.
  5. Track Your Net Worth – Keep an eye on your net worth (your assets minus your debt) to have a good idea where you financially stand.
  6. Raise Your Savings With Your Raises – The amount you put into your retirement savings should go up if you get a raise.
  7. Keep An Eye On Your Score – Review your credit report and score regularly to stay on top of any issues.
  8. Keep Your Credit Below 30% – Don’t use above 30% of your available credit. If you do, your credit score could go down.
  9. Set Achievable Goals – Studies have shown that setting attainable goals will help you be more successful. This is especially true with money and money management. Learn more about setting good goals here.
  10. Set Small Goals – The first step to making achievable goals is to set small ones.
  11. Buddy Up – You’re more likely to stay on track with your money goals if you have a buddy to help keep you accountable. Try gathering a group of friends for money lunches or dinners to talk about good money habits and goals.
  12. Know Your Worth – You need to make more money to save more money, so it’s important to know and stand up for your worth at your job. If you want to ask for a raise, phrase it as a way to increase your company’s value rather than just giving you more money.
  13. Ask For A Raise In Benefits – You can also ask for a raise in benefits rather than salary, which will also save you money.
  14. Don’t Name Numbers – On that same note, when negotiating your salary, let the company give specific numbers first so you don’t undercut yourself accidentally.
  15. Spend One Minute A Day on Money – Set aside one minute every day to glance at your financials and be aware of problems as soon as they occur.
  16. Keep Your Mortgage Manageable – Your mortgage should be below 28% of your monthly income to keep in manageable.
  17. Save, Save, Save – Allocate a minimum of 20% of your income to your savings and other financial priorities like paying off debt and retirement.
  18. Have Fun, Too – Don’t send all your money into boring stuff like mortgages and savings. Keep about 30% of your income for lifestyle and entertainment, or, in other words, fun.
  19. Make A Money Vision Board – Having your goals in front of you on paper is a good way to stay on track.
  20. Use Money Mantras – Come up with phrases to help you stay on track, like “is this [extra purchase] more important than [financial goal]?
  21. Spend On You – Taking control of your finances and spending on what’s important to you is a faction of self-care and self love.
  22. Stop Thinking Of Money in Toxic Ways – If you think, “I’ll never pay off my debt!” you might make that come true. Stay positive.
  23. Stay In Shape – Studies show that the more you exercise the more you’ll get paid, because humans are more productive after we’ve worked up a sweat.
  24. Appreciate What You Have – Savor what you have currently, so you’re less likely to want to buy more.
  25. Don’t Assume You Can’t Get Unemployment – If you’re out of work, don’t just assume you don’t qualify for payments.
  26. Start With Small Debts – Paying off your smaller debts first can make you more confident and therefore more successful at paying off your larger debts.
  27. Don’t Cosign – Never cosign a loan, because if the person you’re helping missed payments, your finances will pay the price.
  28. FAFSA Away – If you’re looking to go back to school, use the FAFSA to get help paying for your schooling.
  29. Go Federal – On the same topic, always use federal student loans over private, as they are safer and typically have better interest rates.
  30. Look Into Repayment Options – Ask your lender if they offer extended, graduated or income-based plans.
  31. Get Rid of Overdraft – You don’t need overdraft protection. Get rid of it.
  32. Shop Smarter – Shopping is fun, but it can kill your wallet. Shop smarter by evaluating purchases on cost per use. Those killer $600 stilettos you’ll wear once a year? Maybe not the best choice. The $600 new driver you’ll use every weekend at the country club is a better cost per use investment.
  33. Get Health Insurance – Spending money on insurance will save you money in the long run. Get good health insurance from your employer, or through the government.
  34. Get Renters Insurance – Sign up for renter’s insurance from one of these top providers.
  35. Spend On Experiences – Rather than dropping money on new shoes, spend the cash on a concert or a nice dinner out.
  36. Shop Alone – Socialize in different ways, like walking in the park or meeting at the movies. Your wallet will thank you.
  37. Spend On What YOU Need – Don’t buy things for who you want to be; buy for who you are. For example, before you buy those fancy marathon running shoes, maybe start training for the marathon?
  38. Save For Retirement Now – Start saving right now.
  39. Save Your Retirement Savings – Do everything in your power to avoid using your retirement savings early.
  40. Give to Get – You have to give money to your retirement plan in order for your employer to match it.
  41. Go Secured – If you have bad credit, try a secured credit card to help you build your score back up without overspending.
  42. Build Saving Into Your Budget – Make adding to your savings part of your monthly budget to make sure you have enough to save every month.
  43. Have a Separate Savings Account – If you have your savings in your checking account, you will spend it.
  44. Save at a Different Bank – Go even further and open a savings account at a different bank. Out of sight, out of mind!
  45. Direct Deposit Savings – Have part of your paycheck deposited directly into your savings account so you never miss it.
  46. Try a Credit Union – They aren’t right for everyone, but could be helpful if you need kinder loans or better interest rates.
  47. Only Use Emergency Savings For Emergencies – There are only a few true emergencies that warrant a savings account dip: unemployment, health, family illness, car breakdown, or emergency home repair.
  48. Don’t Over Save – If you have more than 6 months savings in your account, its time to think about investing.
  49. Check out Investment Fees – Fees can eat into your returns, so keep an eye on them.
  50. Annually Rebalance Your Portfolio – Take a look at your portfolio once a year to maximize your investments and meet your goals.

These are just a few helpful tips to change the way you think about money. Keep an eye out for more in some of our other finance articles.   

If you have any personal finance tips you’d like to share with your community, feel free to comment below!