I know, I know—you’re probably tired of end of the year top 10 lists and have already broken your new year’s resolution a time or two (those gym shoes by the door are still looking pretty squeaky clean, aren’t they? And is that chocolate cake I smell?). But not all top 10 lists are created equal, and this one has lasting implications for your financial well-being.
One doesn’t just wake up one day knowing how to be money smart. Instead, healthy money habits need to be practiced on a day-to-day basis. So in the spirit of the New Year, why not try to set some goals—both for healthy eating and healthy money habits? Follow these suggestions to get your finances in order and achieve your dream of financial independence.
1. Live within your means
It seems simple, but in today’s world of rising prices, and job insecurity, this is a lot more complicated than it might seem. Living within your means is a way of sizing up what you make, and making sure that your expenditures are less than your income. Remember to think about things like taxes and unseen expenses when sizing up the situation of your monthly income vs. expenses. Making cuts might not be easy, but putting your mind at ease and getting your finances in order will be more than worth it.
2. Create a budget
Creating a budget doesn’t have to be hard—in fact, there are plenty of ways to do this creatively using websites designed to help you or by tracking expenses using apps on your smartphone. Be realistic, and be rigorous. Your budget doesn’t have to spell out where every nickel and dime goes, but it should include all of the normal expenses, leaving room for unseen bills and needs that arise during the month.
3. Pay your bills on time
This should be a no-brainer, but it can be difficult in the hustle and bustle of daily life to stay on top of bills. Make sure to pay bills promptly using things like automatic bill pay and good filing systems to remain organized.
4. Be realistic about needs vs. wants
Is this a hard principle? Sure it is. Especially given the way advertising culture works to convince us that our wants really are needs. But deep down we know what we need to survive and what we desire. Perhaps sitting down and writing down a list of needs and wants and then prioritizing will help you decide what is really important, and what is peripheral to your happiness and well-being.
5. Practice patience
You can’t have it all, and you can’t have it all now. Money smart people don’t have to be misers, but they will wait until the time is right to use their money and savings smartly.
6. Invest wisely
Your financial officer can help you with this, but investing wisely means taking the time to think through your decisions, investing in a variety of different places, and making sure that you are diversifying your holdings. Investing can be tricky—so do your research and get plenty of help in the process.
7. Learn discipline
Whether it be curbing impulse buying or getting up at 5 am every morning to go to the gym, discipline is an important part of financial independence. Discipline means following the steps listed here not for a few days or for a few weeks, but for months and years. And like exercise, it becomes easier with time.
8. Use credit smartly
Credit is an important part of financial responsibility. Some people never borrow, thinking that credit cards and loans are bad. They couldn’t be more wrong. Credit can help you invest in your future by purchasing a home and other important things to keep your family safe, healthy, and happy. The trick is to make sure that you are building your credit score and using credit to help you establish yourself rather than borrowing so much that your debt-to-income ratio is out of proportion.
9. Encourage urgency
You should have opened up a savings account yesterday—or the day before. Financially responsible people feel a sense of urgency and immediacy in establishing good money habits. And they don’t put off making changes needed to improve their situation.
10. Focus on the big picture
Everyone makes mistakes in their new year’s resolutions, and no one can be perfect in their monetary lives either. There are always bumps in the road—unemployment, illness, or other things beyond your control can offset your gains at times. Don’t get discouraged when this happens. Tomorrow is a new day, and working little by little, you can realize your financial goals and dreams.
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I would love to have a tiny home to live in! It seems more manageable and affordable. The Hiatus in Oregon is beautiful. I love the wood floors. can you put a tiny house on any property? Thanks for the inspiration and information!
I have a home in Stamford CT and I am looking for someone to assume my mortgage. Not sure if you are interested in something like this based on what I saw on your website. Eric
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