It may seem like it is you against the world sometimes when it comes to dealing with personal finance. With the vast amount of information available online, it can be nearly overwhelming at first. This article will provide much helpful information for you to get started on the right path.
A good rule of thumb for savings, is to put away 10% of your income each payday into a savings account. Make sure that you don’t have a debit or credit card linked to this account, as it is too tempting to spend it if you find something you can‘t seem to live without.
Invest in what you love. The stock market and companies can be very confusing, and can seem like an unpredictable roller coaster. Plan on investing over the long run, not trying to make a quick fortune. Pick a company or companies who have been around for a long time, and who’s product you personally enjoy and use. This will give you some piece of mind in their security, as well as an interest in following them.
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.
You and your children should consider public schools for college over private universities. There are many highly prestigious state schools that will cost you a fraction of what you would pay at a private school. Also consider attending community college for your AA degree for a more affordable education.
Find out what your credit score is. It will cost you money to get your credit score from the big three agencies but the knowledge is invaluable. Knowing your credit score will save you money in buying a car, refinancing your home, even buying life insurance. Make sure to get a new one on a yearly basis to stay up to date.
Electronics are extremely expensive and can set you back a lot of money if you do not get a good deal. Try to do all of your electronics shopping online, as you will find great deals and auctions, which will allow you to choose the price that you want to pay.
If you are accustomed to paying your bills by mail, it is optimal to switch to online bill pay. Every bill that you send out by mail will cost you 40-50 cents with postage. Pay online so you do not have to worry about this fee in your daily and weekly expenses.
In summary, you want to do all that you can to learn about personal finance. There is a lot of information available, but we have provided some of the most important tips. Hopefully we have provided you with enough information to not only give you a solid background, but also further spark your interest for becoming an expert in it.
