10 Money Management Techniques That Will Open Doors to Financial Freedom

It’s one thing to make money, but a completely different ball game to make it impact your life. And this is largely dependent on how you manage what you earn. Without a doubt, money management is a priority for you, but you may struggle with it. Even for the very well-off, it isn’t an easy feat. Here are ten tips to get you started

1. Pay Off Debt 

Make a plan to pay off any debts you still owe. Choose the first debt to pay off. One strategy is to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first while making the minimum payments on all other debts.

Consider debt consolidation If you owe a lot of money and the interest rates are high. Consider putting them all into one loan with a lower interest rate. This can make it easier to handle your debt and save you money on interest payments.

2. Invest for Your Future

Get a head start on saving for retirement. Consider enrolling in a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k) or starting your individualized retirement account (IRA). Create a rainy-day fund to use during a layoff or serious illness. Save enough money to cover your bills for three to six months.

3. Review Your Credit Report

Check your credit report regularly to spot errors and see where to improve. An annual free credit report from each of the three leading credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) is available upon request. The website AnnualCreditReport.com also helps you accomplish this easily.

If you check your credit report frequently, you increase your chances of finding mistakes or symptoms of identity theft early. Setting up notifications or subscribing to a credit monitoring service are good options for keeping tabs on your financial standing.

4. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

Lifestyle is a significant roadblock to building wealth and can keep you living paycheck to paycheck — even when those paychecks are much larger than they used to be. But it’s still not the time to keep up with the Joneses. So, resist the urge to spend more just because you can and continue to live below your means.

5. Set Financial Goals

Consider what is most important to you and what you want to accomplish financially. This could involve purchasing a home, paying off debt, or saving money for retirement. Make your goals as precise as possible. Instead of “save for retirement,” explain how much you want to save and when you want to save it.

Make a plan of action to achieve your objectives. Examples include increasing your income, lowering your costs, or investing more aggressively.

6. Understand Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a three-digit number that can significantly affect your finances. Lenders are willing to give people with good credit better loan terms and lower interest rates. When you apply for big loans like a mortgage, a slight interest rate drop can save you dollars.

7. Create a Sinking Fund For Large Expenses

Some costs can’t be predicted in advance, but others can be budgeted for months in advance. Insurance, for instance, may only be a one-time expense that can run into hundreds of dollars.

Use a sinking fund instead of rushing to pay that bill out of other finances. A little bit of money put aside from each paycheck can ensure you have the funds you need to pay off these more considerable expenses. Budget some money each month for this sinking fund.

8. Track Spending

It’s time to become your financial detective. You’ll need to conduct financial forensics to gain a complete picture of your spending habits. Gather all evidence of your electronic transactions, including bank statements, ATM withdrawals, and credit card statements.

It’s also time to add up your spending, so pull up a spreadsheet or get out the old-fashioned paper and pencil. Make a detailed list of all your monthly outlays, including food, shelter, transportation, and recreation. You can use this to find places to make budget cuts. 

9. Automate Your Savings

Suppose you need help saving money every time you get paid, set up an automatic savings plan. Set up a transfer from your checking account to your savings account automatically. Having an automatic savings plan can help you finally save effortlessly.

10. Stick to Cash For Your Non-essential Budget

Spending has become too simple due to the convenience of credit card payments. After you’ve decided where your paycheck should go, you can use cash for the rest of your budget. As money leaves your palm, it may be simpler to resist the temptation to spend it on something you don’t need.

This thread inspired this post.