Planning your financial future is something that we all need to do. There are so many people who are not set up for their future, and they have no idea what a shock they are going to be in for when they are struggling later down the line. We understand the need to live in the present and not put too much stock in the future, but then what happens when the future comes knocking?
Then you’re going to be in a little bit of trouble! So, to avoid that you need to plan well, and that’s what we’re going to be talking about today. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Of course, the first thing that we’re going to say you need to do is save money. Saving is one of the most important factors when it comes to planning for the future because it means that you have some kind of funds tucked away, no matter what happens. The great thing about this is that it means you have some money to live on if things get bad, if you need to purchase something that you cannot outright afford, or if you lose your job for example. It’s nice to have this little safety net there to catch you when you fall.
Clear Your Debts
Another thing that you’re going to need to do is get your debts cleared off. The longer it takes you to do this, the longer you are going to have that massive grey cloud above your head, and who needs that? Who needs a constant reminder that they owe money? It’s annoying and it’s not productive to get you in a good financial position, is it?
So, you need to contact your creditors and start paying off the money that you owe. The more that you can pay off at first, the better. From there, set up a payment plan that is affordable to you, and always make the payments on time.
Make Future Plans
The final thing that we want to cover is making future plans for your money. By this, we mean sorting out a will for yourself, contacting funeral directors to make plans for your funeral and pay for it so that this is sorted, and generally give instructions about what you want done with your money. It might feel like a super morbid thing to do, but it’s necessary. It ensures that your last wishes are carried out, and takes some of the pressure off of your family while they are mourning your loss. Get it done as soon as you can, as you can always update it down the line if needed.
Hopefully you have found this article helpful, and now have a stronger understanding around how you can plan for your financial future. We’re sure that this information hasn’t been anything that you do not already know, but it’s important that you are getting it sorted nonetheless. If you’ve not started your plans just yet, you better get started!
We could all use a little extra money from time to time. The cost of living gets higher each year, and salaries struggle to keep up with this change. Hard working families and young people can be strapped for cash when times get tough, particularly around the holidays.
Even if you work a full time job, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Not only do you need to cover your bills and put food on the table, you want to have enough left to enjoy a few comforts and luxuries too.
There are ways to increase your income just a little bit. These techniques will not make you a millionaire, but they may help you boost your bank balance just enough to improve your quality of life and protect your financial wellbeing. Here are some of the easiest and most effective ways to have more money in your life.
Like the old saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned. Putting money aside is a great way to boost your bank balance and make you more aware of your financial situation. If you just let your income sit in your main bank account, not only will you be more likely to spend it, but you are failing to make the most of it. But by consciously making an effort to save a portion of your earnings, you can earn interest on your savings and work towards significant purchases like a new car or a house.
Work out how much of your monthly income you can afford to put aside, and open a separate savings account to keep it in. Make sure this is automated, so you don’t have to actively remember to save each month. Pick an account with a good interest rate and you can make more money without even trying.
Reduce your spending
If you took a good hard look at every financial transaction you made over the last month, you would probably notice a lot of wasted money. That late night trip to a poor-quality fast food restaurant or the subscription to that obscure streaming service you never use. This money could have been put to much better use instead. Be more conscious of what you are spending your money on, and think before every transaction. Ask yourself if you really need this purchase or if you are just being impulsive.
Go through your subscriptions and work out what you are willing to lose. Perhaps you only need one streaming service rather than four. Or maybe you can join the cheaper gym that is closer to home rather than the fancy one in the city. Get into the habit of preparing meals at home rather than relying too much on eating out and ordering takeaways. There are loads more ways to reduce your spending, so look at your monthly expenditure and be a bit stricter on yourself.
Recover money owed to you
Many people are owed money without even realizing it. Perhaps you are overdue some earnings in the form of PPI or HP refunds. If so, you can check your eligibility online to find out what you are owed. Or maybe you just lent your friend some cash last week and haven’t claimed it back yet. Recovering debts owed to you will boost your bank balance, often for very little effort.
If you are struggling to recover debts owed to you, you may need to go to court or enlist a mediation service to help you get your money back. This process can be potentially costly and time-consuming, so you need to be sure it is worth it before you proceed.
Ask for a pay rise
If you feel you are not earning enough in your current job, it may be time to ask for a payrise. Schedule a meeting with your boss to plead your case for a higher income. You will need to come armed with evidence of your successes and achievements, so you can demonstrate the value you bring to the organisation. You could even ask to take on more responsibility in return for a pay rise.
If you make your argument well, there is a good chance your employer will agree. And the worst thing that can happen is they say no. You may even wish to seek a higher-paying job that values your skills and experience more highly.
These four methods are just a few of the ways you to boost your bank balance and enjoy a little extra money each month. What other techniques can you think of?
Are you struggling for money right now? Maybe you’re not too worse for wear in the financial department, but you could definitely use a little bit of extra cash, right? Who doesn’t in this economy, and the only way to get the money that you need is to figure out a plan. There are a range of different options that you can consider here, it’s just a case of finding which one, or which ones work best for you.
The good news is that if you can’t really come up with any right now, you’re not alone in that. Many people struggle to come up with new ideas, but that’s what we’re going to be looking at today. In this article, we’re going to be discussing some of your options, so keep reading down below if you want to know more!
Sell your old items
The first option that we’ve got for you is to sell some of your old items. We’re not talking about the ones that you still use or that you have some kind of attachment to, obviously. We’re talking about the ones that you no longer want or need, and are simply taking up space in your home for no reason other than that you’re too lazy to throw them away. It happens to the best of us, but now you might be in a position to benefit from this.
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You could set up a platform where you are taking pictures of the things that you’re not using anymore and offer them to someone else. There are loads of apps and websites that let you do this, and you can make some decent money. For example, if you have an old phone that still works, you can sell your phone to a business who refurbishes them, or someone who uses the pieces for parts. Or, if you have a whole bunch of old clothes that you don’t wear anymore for whatever reason, someone else might be looking for what you’ve got. It’s worth a shot at the very least.
Freelance Work
Have you ever thought about doing some freelance work? It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the industry that you’re in for your day job, as long as you have the right credentials to be offering a service. Or, at the very least, you can prove that you are able to offer it.
Things like this are great for you to make some money on the side when you need it, and you don’t have to offer these services when you don’t. You can complete them whenever you have the time, and you don’t have a boss getting up your backside. As long as you complete your work in a timely manner and by the deadline that you set, you should be all good! Of course, reviews are really going to help you make this happen, so encourage the people you work for on a freelance basis to leave one for you.
Start A Blog
In the same kind of vein, you could consider starting a blog. It’s going to take some time to build your blog up to a point where you can make some money from it, but it is possible if you put your mind to it and dedicate yourself. You’ll need to post regularly, engage with people in the comment section, and generally have fun with it. But, you’re also going to need to keep an eye on what posts are being read and have positive notes, as well as which ones don’t.
Yes, it’s your blog and you should be able to post whatever you want. But, you also need to make sure that you’re posting things that people want to read. If you’re not getting views and interactions, then you’re not going to be paid for what you’re posting. That’s something to think about and keep in mind as much as you can if this is a path you want to go down.
Log More Hours At Work
If you have the opportunity to pick up some overtime and you are able to do it, don’t pass it up. If you have other commitments that you cannot change, if you’re approaching burnout, or if there is another genuine reason you can’t, then there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, if you need the extra cash and it’s completely possible for you to do the overtime, then why wouldn’t you? It’s worth the extra time that you have to spend at work for the extra money that you’re going to get. Also, keep in mind that in most companies, overtime is paid at a higher rate. We are completely aware that this one is not an option for everyone so don’t jump on the defense straight away; but some people could try saving a little better. This doesn’t really erase the need for some more money, but it does make the need a little less urgent.
Try Saving A Little Better
You don’t need to stress about getting this money asap because you have some savings behind you to tide you over for a little while. Of course, you don’t want to deplete all of your savings, but they’re there if you do need them.
In order to save better, you need to plan a little better. Take some time to write out your budget so that you know where you are at all times. Make sure that all of your bills are included here, and then ensure that you’re taking time to update this as and when necessary. We understand that all the budgeting in the world couldn’t stretch some people’s money far enough, but we’re not talking about you. We’re talking about people who just blow the excess money they do have, and leave themselves in a tricky situation. Think ahead, plan ahead, and you will be better off for it.
Downsize Your Life
The final thing that we’re going to be talking about is downsizing your life. This is not the solution that anyone wants to hear, and it is more often than not the last ditch solution that people will use. But it’s a solution and one we’re going to have to look at. If you’re finding yourself strapped for cash, it could be possible that this is because of your lifestyle.
It’s a good plan to, even temporarily, try to downsize your life. Roll back on the big spending and just try to get the essentials for a little while until you’re in a better place financially. We’re not saying that you can’t treat yourself to something nice every now and then, but maybe just tone it down a little. It’s not going to be the end of the world, and your finances will certainly thank you for it. It’s doable if you want it to be.
At the end of the day, if you’re strapped for cash then there are so many options for you. They might not all be doable in your current situation, and some might not work out properly, but you’ve got to try. Eventually you will figure out what you’re doing and what method of making a little more money works for you, and then you can go from there. Try out all of the options on the list, but take comfort in the fact that there are even more where they came from if you need them.
Being able to save money can be seen as a privilege these days. Having the spare income available to sock away bit by bit, whilst also potentially paying off debt and paying the rent, is a sign your financial wealth is really on the up! However, did you know that money you put into your savings account can work harder for you? There are various ways to make good use out of it, so let’s go through a few of the most effective methods below.
Where are you currently putting all of your cash savings? In a standard savings account? Don’t worry, this is where we all dump money we want to save for later and think no more about it. However, there are better savings accounts out there that can make your money go further, but only if you’re willing to lock your cash away for a bit longer.
With accounts like these, the longer you go without touching your savings, the higher the interest rate can climb. All you need to do is sign up and deposit some money in them – the more you put in, the more you’ll get out, but only if you’re able to live without access to the money for upwards of 5 years.
Invest Here and There
Investing could double your money in a matter of short months. Of course, you don’t want to plug everything you have into an investment of any kind. Most of all you need to have some savings leftover that are accessible, just in case you need them at a pinch. But aside from this, it’s also quite dangerous to sink all your money into one pit – a diverse portfolio is a strong one!
So if you want to get to know more about the investing world, and you want to be absolutely sure you’ve learnt as much as you can, it might be an idea to check out The Forex Library trading course. Investing can go extremely well when you know what you’re handling, and being up to date on investing/trading types, risk measurement methods, and ways to spread out your portfolio is the best way to stay safe.
Look into Programs
There are a lot of financial assistance programs out there that you may be entitled to. Taking advantage of these can give you a real step up in the world when you need it most. For example, if you’re in the UK, you can use the Help to Buy scheme to get a boost when you’re putting a down payment on a house for the first time. And of course, if you’re currently in full time work, you can ask your employer to match your pension contributions. All it takes is a bit of research and the courage to apply.
If you want your savings to go further, don’t just let them sit untouched! There’s more help out there than you may realise.
If you have spare cash that you want to invest or have inherited a large sum of money, you may be wondering what to do next. Deciding on the best place to keep your money can be a tricky decision to make. Not doing anything with the money and letting it remain where it is can be tempting, but you may decide that you want to make the money work hard and try to maximize it. Investing money is something that requires careful consideration, so you must explore your options before coming to a final decision.
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There are many different ways to invest, but finding the right one for you requires some thought. You will need to think about how risk-averse you are, as well as considering whether you want to be able to access the money if you suddenly need it. Riskier investments typically have the potential to bring bigger returns, but the chance of losing your money is also higher. Low-risk investments will offer smaller returns, but mean you are less likely to lose your money. Here are some of the options to consider when deciding where to invest:
Savings
Putting your money into savings is the least risky option, but also potentially brings the lowest rewards. If you prefer to know that your money is safe, and are happy to forgo significant returns in favor of security, moving your money into a savings account could be the right option for you. It is crucial to note that not all savings accounts are the same, there are many available all offering different interest rates, so make sure that you shop around to find the best one for your needs with the highest levels of interest.
Property
Property has always been seen as a solid investment, but it does bring its risks. In uncertain economic times, property values can fluctuate wildly, and you may have to keep hold of your investment for a long time before you can reap the rewards. Keeping the property as a longterm investment is fine if you plan to rent it out. However, you may decide to renovate and then flip a property to realize a profit, but this does require careful monitoring of the local property market, to ensure that you don’t make a loss.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency may have been around since 2009, but it is still a relatively new kid on the block. Many people believe that crypto is the currency of the future, but it is vital to do your research before investing.
If you plan to start investing in blockchain, you may find it easier to use a buying and selling platform that specializes in cryptocurrency, such as https://bitit.io/buy/ripple-xrp
Stocks
Stocks are a common form of investment and involve purchasing shares in a publicly-traded company. Investing in stocks means that you can make money if you sell your shares at a higher price than you paid for them, or lose money if the stock price falls.
