Via RamseySolutions
The people who put fresh energy into directing their dollars are the ones who make the most headway toward their money goals.
Get your money organized with these seven money tips!
1. Make time to create your budget. Be proactive in making your budget instead of “getting around to it.” Block out a specific date and time before the month begins to figure out how much you want to spend on groceries, debt payments, and trips to the movies. Add some fun to it—brew your favorite tea or eat some ice cream while you set your spending plan.
2. Pay your bills online. Thirty-eight percent of people pay their bills online. Pick two days (one in the first half of the month, one in the second) to pay the bills for that half of the month. It’s easier than writing paper checks, and you save a few trees in the process.
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3. Streamline your budget. You may have a wallet or purse full of receipts that you haven’t recorded. It’s easy to take control of those receipts with Ramsey+. You’ll get the premium version of EveryDollar so you can connect your bank to your budget so your transactions automatically show up. Once that’s done, you can use your paper receipts as confetti to celebrate your new streamlined budget!
4. Make some lists. One for the grocery store, one for bills to pay, one for your goals—it’s amazing how much lists help you and your money get organized. Write down the things you have to buy or errands you need to run. Seeing your to-do lists in front of you helps you focus. It’s also satisfying to cross things off as you knock them out.
5. Autodraft your savings. Only 17% of Americans say that saving money has been a top financial priority for them in recent months. Change that by making saving easier! Set up autodrafts that automatically deduct money from your account on the same day each month for things like Christmas savings, a car fund or retirement. It makes saving a lot simpler when the work is done for you.
6. Pay off and cut up credit cards. Paying with a debit card means you pay for—and own—an item immediately. Paying with a credit card means you pay off an item over time. You may also pay interest and have to keep track of monthly statements (which doesn’t help with organization). Don’t let the credit cloud hang over your head! Cut up your cards and pay them off. You’ll breathe—and budget—a lot easier.
7. Combine money if you’re married. When husbands and wives keep their paychecks, bank records and bills separate, there is more room for error. It’s better to work together. If you’re married, combine your incomes and do your bill paying, vacation saving, and investing as a team. When you’re working as a team, you’ll communicate more, which will improve your money situation and your marriage!
When you organize and keep track of your money with EveryDollar, you’ll make way more progress on your goals!
