It takes a little time and effort to learn good personal finance habits. When considered next to the time and money that can be wasted through poor financial management, though, putting some work into personal finance education is a real bargain. This article gives some ideas that can help anyone manage their money better.
Some banks offer great rewards if you are able to refer a customer to their location and they open up an account at a branch. Try to take advantage of this opportunity, as you can add anywhere between 25-100 dollars just for recommending a friend or family member to the bank.
Refinance your major purchases if you need to. Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you purchase a new home and think about refinancing your vehicle, too. Watch out for high interest rates, and do not refinance your possessions if you do not really need to, since you will end up paying interest rates.
As tempting as it may be to invest in a credit repair program, spend some time online to find one that is free. They are all over the web and many times cover the same steps for credit repair as the ones that you pay for do. Save yourself some money by looking for the ones that are not going to cost you.
Avoid overdrafts in your checking account by always rounding to the next dollar when you note the amount of checks in your check register. In this way, your running balance (the amount written in your check register) will always be a little bit less than your actual balance. This will help you build a little safety net in your checking account.
Start cooking your meals at home. It isn't just healthier to make the switch from take out to home-cooked meals; it's also easier on your wallet. Stop wasting money on fast food establishments and restaurants. Start cooking your own meals, saving the leftovers for later. With the wide variety of recipes out there, even poor cooks should be able to find something they can cook and enjoy.
Use the cheapest paper plates you can buy. You'll save money and a few environmental resources! Place them in paper plate holders or, in a pinch, on top of your regular dishes. You'll still have the benefit of easy cleanup but you will have to pay a lot less over time for a product that always ends up in the trash anyway.
You work hard to make money. You should work as hard to keep it! Get spending under control and be sure to save what you can. Add the above tips to your arsenal of knowledge about making, spending and saving money, and watch your safety net grow. Enjoy your new peace of mind!