Budgeting
Making Financial Resolutions for the New Year
Christmas has past and the new year is upon us. It’s a great time for some personal reflection. First, look back and think about last year. Did you have a good year? A worthwhile one? Did you treat people well and appreciate your family? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you conduct your finances in a responsible manner? Certainly, there are many questions you can ask.
Next, once you’ve reflected back, it’s now time to look ahead to the new year. With your goals for the next year and with your assessment of the past in mind, make a list of resolutions that you hope to achieve over the next twelve months. They can be personal or work-related. They can be collective goals for your whole family. What matters is that these resolutions establish objectives and guidelines for the upcoming year. Read the rest of this entry »
Why You Should Discuss Finances Before Saying I Do
Getting married is a time of joy for any couple. The thought of living the rest of your life with your best friend is normally consuming during the wedding planning time, and any other additional thoughts are placed on the wedding planning itself. There are reservations to be booked, dresses to be bought, and table settings to be picked. However, during this planning time, very few couples take the time to discuss the future of their finances.
In this day and age it is likely the couple has made joint purchases and financial investments prior to marriage. Even before marriage, the couple should have a firm financial plan in place so that the metaphorical flight does not crash before it even takes off.
To take that point further, even these types of combined finances need to be discussed further when actually taking marriage into consideration. Whether you have already arranged for your living quarters, shared certain finances or not; post marriage financial adjustments are different and can place strain on a relationship if not planned for and discussed. In order to promote the healthiest relationship possible, remember that a firm financial plan can prevent a diversion from what should be the happiest time in the young couples’ life.
Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, and a majority of couples that go through a divorce blame finances as a predominate reason for any irreconcilable differences they may have had. If you want your marriage and your bank statements to be healthy, discuss your finances prior to the wedding day. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Simple Steps to Pay Off Your Loan or Credit Card
If, like many people, you have outstanding bank loans or credit card debt, you may worry about these bills, but there are ways in which you can alleviate this tension.
In this article we are going to show you 3 simple steps which will help you to overcome the stress of paying back what you owe and, ultimately, help you to get your personal finances in order so you do not feel this heat in the future!
- Working out where the money goes
First and foremost you need to have a clear idea of where your money is going. Read the rest of this entry »
Wealth building tips for beginners – Saving and Investing Your Way To A Balanced Life
By Fiona
Simply dreaming about a better financial future will never make it happen. You must have a written game plan and follow some financial tips in order to fulfill your dream. Setting deadlines for your goals and having a true desire to become financially secure can be the secret to building wealth in the future and leading financially free life. If you’re tired of making multiple loan payments and living from day to day, it is high time that you take some serious steps to get back a grip on your personal financial life. Here are some smart and effective ways to deal with your personal finances and be financially free. Read the rest of this entry »
Turning Your Financial Life Upside Down
By John D. Schultz
Last month, my church had a several part series on finance. It really got me thinking about how I manage my finances. I thought I’d share a bit of my experience, and some changes I’ve made to my life. Maybe they can help you. Or, maybe I need some guidance. Either way, let me know in the comments.
First off, I’ve always known this, and mostly agreed that where we spend our money is where our heart is. Admittedly, I’ve not always been proud of where my heart was, but when I honestly review my life, the saying has held true. My pastor brought up five areas where we spend money, and ranked them according to how we typically use our financial resources. Read the rest of this entry »
Consumer Credit Counseling
Being in debt causes life to be more stressful and less enjoyable . By the time most people see the error of their ways, they’re already in so much debt that it will take them many years to get out of it. Fortunately, there are options that can help you get your debts paid off more quickly. Here is some borrowing advice to help you.
Two of those options are credit counseling and getting a debt consolidation loan. With credit counseling, a third party negotiates lower payments and interest rates for you. You then start making one monthly payment to the credit counselor, and he forwards the monthly payments to your creditors on your behalf. With a debt consolidation loan, you simply take out a loan, use the proceeds to pay off your existent debts, and then repay the loan.
Either of these approaches can help you reapy your debts . Which one is best for you depends on your individual circumstances. Here are some pros and cons of credit counseling versus debt consolidation loans to consider. Read the rest of this entry »
