You owe it to yourself to become knowledgeable about your personal finances. You work hard for your money and spend a lot of time doing so. You can use the knowledge you have about your finances to help you reach whatever financial goal you have set out to achieve for yourself.
The stock market is in a dangerous state right now, so don’t take any big investment risks unless you’re willing to lose a lot of money. Any investment might seem like a good idea at first, but there are a lot of factors that affect stock prices and unless you’re an expert, you won’t see them coming.
Expensive products usually come with a limited warranty that covers them for 90 days to a year. Extended warranties only serve to profit the company you bought them from.
If you can afford it, try making an extra payment on your mortgage every month. The extra payment will apply directly to the principal of your loan. Every extra payment you make will shorten the life of your loan a little. That means you can pay off your loan faster, saving potentially thousands of dollars in interest payments.
Search for cheaper utilities to get better personal finance. If you have had the same gas company, cell phone plan, or other utility for a while then shop around for a better deal. Many companies will gladly offer you better prices just to have you become their customer. This will definitely put more money in your pocket.
Trade in your gas guzzler for an economical, high miles per gallon car. If you drive a truck or SUV that gets bad gas mileage, you may be able to cover the monthly payments for a new car with your gas savings. Calculate what you spend on gas now with what you would spend in a car that gets 30mpg or higher. The savings might shock you.
Always consider a used car before buying new. Pay cash when possible, to avoid financing. A car will depreciate the minute you drive it off the lot. Should your financial situation change and you have to sell it, you might find it’s worth less than you owe. This can quickly lead to financial failure if you’re not careful.
If you’re not yet 21 years of age and are looking for a credit card, you should know that things have changed recently. Traditionally, credit cards were provided for students who are college aged for free. Today you need to have someone co-sign on your account unless you have a verified income. Read the fine print about the card before signing up for it.
Maintaining good credit lets you buy the stuff that’s hard to buy with cash, such as a car or home. If you find that you can’t get a good interest rate for a big dream item, don’t just wish for a miracle. Fix your credit. Begin by reviewing your credit report and investigating any anomalies.
In order to save money on your phone, cable, and internet bills, you may want to consider getting a three-in-one through a cable provider. Many cable companies offer a discount if you get all three services from them. Plus, it is helpful to have all three services on one bill.
In order to save money on gas and driving costs, you may want to consider carpooling with coworkers or friends. You can all pitch in on gas and take turns using your cars. If you have to pay for parking costs, you could split the bill between all of you as well.
Knowledge is power when it comes to personal finances. The more you know about money, the more likely you are to make good, sound financial decisions that will affect everything you do. Knowing about your money is a wise decision, it will help you now and in the future.