Clean your finances this spring

5 Ways to Clean Up Your Finances This Spring

Clean your finances this spring
When your finances are in check, it shows!

Spring is in the air, but your finances don’t have to be. With spring cleaning on the brain, now is the time to tidy up that closet and more importantly, your wallet.

Fortunately, recent pop culture has heightened the cleaning fix in all our minds. Recently, methods of cleaning up by category and keeping only those belongings that bring you happiness have become increasingly popular. While this method is great for optimizing your physical space, it can also be used with your finances as well.

Here are 5 ways to clean up your finances just in time for spring.

  1. Clean Out Expenses

Give your bank account a clean-out by evaluating any recurring subscriptions that are on auto-pay every month and you can probably do without. For instance, you may realize that you don’t need that 500-channel cable package or magazine subscription. Don’t worry, you can still keep your Netflix subscription, but look into a family account to split the costs. You may want to consider saving money with your Amazon Prime membership by waiting a few extra days for your packages. Not to mention, this can discourage you from buying things you don’t need.

  1. Create Financial Categories

Using this categorizing technique, organize your bank statements from the past few months by creating a category for each transaction. Some categories might include living expenses—such as your rent, car payment, and utilities—savings, and entertainment. Once you’ve created your categories, develop a filing system that works for you, whether it’s folders, an app or online. This will help you see where your money has been going and monitor your spending for the future.

  1. Sort Out Your Credit Score

Improving your credit score is an important step in cleaning up your finances if you want to borrow or make a big purchase in the future. Start by combing through your report to check for any inaccuracies that can be lowering your score. After you’ve created your financial categories from the previous step, keep track of your bill’s payment dates to avoid missing payments. One way you can do this is by setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders.

  1. Pay Off Your Debt

Your first instinct to dealing with debt may be to ignore it hoping it will disappear, but this will only worsen the situation. While you’re partaking in spring cleaning at your home and only keeping items that bring you happiness, set aside the pieces you no longer want and sell them in a garage sale. You can use the money you make to pay off some of your debt. Another way you can accumulate some extra cash is by turning a hobby into a side hustle. For example, if you like crafts, monetize your hobby by selling your works of art online or to family and friends.

  1. Set and Commit to Financial Goals

Outline your short-term and long-term financial goals and plan how much money you need to set aside each month to achieve them. For many people, their primary goal is to increase their savings. While there are many ways to do this, one of the most effective is budgeting. Set a spending limit and commit to saying “no” when you reach your limit. Most importantly, track and be proud of the progress you’ve made to boost your financial confidence and inspire you to keep going.

Regardless of your financial situation, using spring cleaning and organizational techniques in your finances can help you reach your goals and tidy up your finances.


Young Person with Credit Card

7 Tips for first-time credit card users

Young Person with Credit Card

Credit cards are a powerful financial tool. If you use them wisely, they will help you achieve your financial goals. But as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Abuse them and you will find yourself in a world of financial hurt.

If you recently got your first credit card, here are nine tips to help you use it in a smart, financially-sound way:

1. Read the fine print

Eye-catching promotional headlines can be very appealing. But look at the details. You’ll especially want to watch for things like high annual or late fees, or additional costs attached to using the card.

2. Pay the balance in full every month

Make sure you pay off your purchases at the end of every billing cycle. This way, you’ll avoid paying interest, which, if allowed to build, can dramatically increase the total cost of your debt.

3. Use it to build your credit

Remember when we said credit cards are a powerful tool? When you pay off your balances every month, you establish a positive credit history. You demonstrate to credit agencies that you can handle the responsibility of credit. This will become important when you want to buy a car, rent an apartment or even apply for a job.

4. Treat it like cash

If you don’t have the money now (or in the near future) to pay off the purchase, don’t put it on your card. You increase your risk of accruing interest and expanding what you owe (that’s how people get into debt).

5. Look for a good rewards program (but not at the expense of a high rate)

Cards for first-time users without much of a credit history may not have exceptional rewards, but it can’t hurt to look. You might be able to find decent cash-back or mileage offers.

6. Don’t share it with anyone

Credit cards are private. Don’t let anyone use it under any circumstances, even if it’s a good friend who needs to borrow money.

7. Always check your statements

Unfortunately, credit card fraud is a very real thing. Check your statements every month to make sure there aren’t any unrecognizable charges. If you see a purchase that you didn’t make, report it to the credit card company right away.


Budgeting Fun

How to Make Budgeting Fun with Your Family

Budgeting Fun
Make budgeting Fun with your family!

Setting spending limits and crunching numbers is not exactly a traditional recipe for family fun. But you can make budgeting fun by getting a little creative. Here is how:

Talk it through

Finances are a complicated subject. But it is important for your children to learn this very important skill early in life. In order to make budgeting fun for all, make it a game. Seat everyone at the table and talk about where the money goes.

Show them the money

Ideally, you should keep record of your finances in a tangible place. A specific folder in your computer or an organized excel sheet. But let’s be realistic, creating excel formulas is hardly fun for a child, let alone a fun activity for the family.

Our suggestion: Go old school!

Set out three containers, jars, banks or baskets. Mark one of the receptacles with the word save.  One with the wod spend and the final with the word share.

Use real money and coins to fill the containers each month so the whole family can see exactly how a budget works and where money needs to go. Folger recommends divvying up money according to set percentages. This is an especially beneficial method to help your tweens and teens balance their own allowances while earning real-life financial lessons.

Work toward family-fun goals

Budgets are designed to keep your present bills paid as well as plan for the future. If your family is only focusing on what they’re giving up or not getting, there’s no way your family budget will resemble anything but doom and gloom.

Instead, making budgeting fun by including goal that everyone can appreciate or look forward to using. Perhaps you can work toward a family-fun day at a local amusement park or even an extended getaway.

When planning for a vacation, Godfrey stresses the importance of involving everyone in the family on decisions from where to go and what to do to how money should be spent. A budget designed specifically for fun-in-the-sun or a first-time adventure is sure to keep your kids interested in your family’s financial planning.

Give back as a family

Teaching your kids to give back is an important, life-long lesson. Dedicating a portion of your finances will create a life lesson and a lot of fun memories.

With open communication and an eye on future fun, you and your family can make budgeting fun and support your financial goals.


3 Great Financial Skills for Young Adults

Great financial skills at a young age!

The real world is expensive, and if you are a young adult the lack financial aptitude will harm you later on in life. Being financially unaware will make you struggle not only fiscally, but emotionally as well. That’s why you need to acquire financial skills as you make your way through college, navigate your first job and learn to save for the years to come.

 College-bound

College is often the first time you will experience a real sense of freedom. Gone are the days of a traditional school schedule with parents and teachers standing over your shoulder to make sure you study, eat and complete your assignments.

College may also be the first time you are faced with managing your own money to cover bills, school expenses and inevitable loan payments. To help keep you from failing Personal Finance 101, we recommend establishing a budget.

Record income from sources such as part-time job, student loans, money from parents, grants, savings accounts and scholarships.

Then record expenses: things such as books, tuition, rent, clothes, entertainment, college fees, supplies, personal care items and transportation costs. By tracking the first two months of spending, you will earn an accurate baseline of necessary and unnecessary spending and where’s there’s room in the budget for saving.

 On the job

The thought of saving for retirement after securing the first job out of college may seem ludicrous.

After all, you still need to pay off college loans,  rent, car payments and insurance fees.

However, saving for the future as soon as possible and investing in employer-matching retirement programs with the max amount possible are smart financial moves, according to The Balance writer Miriam Caldwell.

Remember the budget you used in college?

Now is the time to update if for the real world. Tracking your income, expenses and spending is the only way to gain control of your finances. As you progress in your career, your financial health should become more robust.

Be sure to consistently evaluate and re-evaluate your budget, plans for the future and investment options.

Credit cards are convenient, and sometimes the only resource you have to get through stressful financial times. But, they come at a high price. Sinking into credit card debt happens quickly and before you know it, you’re over your head in fees and balances you can’t clear.

To help you stay afloat, forgo any dependence on plastic.

 In case of emergency

Life will throw you expensive curveballs, and without an emergency fund, your financial health will take on serious damage.

According to Investopedia writer Amy Fontinelle, any amount you can save each month in a money market account, certificate of deposit or online savings account will do wonders in establishing your financial safety net.

Be sure the account you choose earns high-interest rates, too.

By adopting smart money habits, like budgeting, you’ll create a lucrative and secure future.


Raise Capital for your startup!

4 Ways to Raise Capital for Your Business

Raise Capital for your startup!
Raising Business Capital is Important!

Very few people know how to raise capital for their business, especially if it is their first startup. Though a necessary part of the process, investing your own money may not be enough. How can you raise capital for your business, and where can you get it?

1. Create a solid plan

Your business won’t be successful without a solid plan in place. Without one, you won’t be able to secure capital to get on your feet.

“Every successful business transaction starts with a carefully developed plan,” Jeffrey Hayzlett writes in a September 2017 article for Entrepreneur.

Hayzlett says that a good plan should identify the problem your business is trying to solve. It highlights the unique features that make your service or product stand out. Use these to build a short pitch. You should identify future milestones and then estimate how much capital you will need to meet them.

Without a solid plan, potential investors won’t have any reason to believe they can trust you and your business with their funding.

2. Friends and family

Borrowing money from friends or family is one of the most common ways to raise capital for a new small business. However, many investors shy away from it. After all, the potential cost of failure isn’t just financial; it’s personal. The key is to present your pitch professionally and treat your friends and family like real investors. This will make things go more smoothly if you are turned down.

On the upside, that personal relationship can take you further than you could go with an unfamiliar investor.

3. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular way for small businesses to raise capital money to get started. Websites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe let you solicit funds through online campaigns. In return for their money, donors receive services or products related to the project you are trying to launch. The value of which is based on the amount donated.

4.  Angel investors

Angel investors are individuals with deep pockets who will invest in your startup in exchange for a higher rate of return than traditional investors.

Companies like Google and Yahoo, received help from angel investors in their early stages. “The big advantage is that financing from angel investment is much less risky than debt financing,” Susan Ward writes in an October 2018 article for TheBalance’s Small Business. “And, most angel investors understand business and take a long-term view.” You can find angel investors on websites like New York Angel and Angel List.

These are some of the ways you can raise capital for your business. Others include credit card loans, personal business loans, SBA loans and microloans from nonprofits. Talk with a professional to explore all of your options.


7 Money Saving Tips You Must Know Before Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and before you get together and celebrate Valentine’s Day with your significant other, remember it is saving, not spending what helps you create a future as a couple.

If you struggle with saving, or want to save even more than you do already, here are seven strategies worth implementing.

30-day rule

According to The Simple Dollar contributor Trent Hamm, one of the simplest ways to avoid impulse purchases is to apply the 30-day rule. As it implies, this rule involves waiting a period of 30 days to decide on whether or not to make a purchase. Observing this rule each month is a great way to build a long-term habit of making delayed purchasing decisions.

Stick to your shopping lists

Whether you’re grocery shopping or clothes shopping, an easy way to avoid unplanned purchases is to make a list, as Hamm advises. Make sure to stick to the list and turn a blind eye to anything not on it.

As a result, this list will help you buy only the food and clothing you need, rather than splurging on junk food that you might not eat or trendy apparel that you might only wear a few times.

Have a night in

While having a night out with your partner or friends for Valentines or any occasion can be refreshing, it can be a pricey habit.

With that in mind, Hamm recommends limiting evening outings by opting for alternative entertainment and food at home. Try having a game or trivia night, or an appetizer potluck, with friends the next time you crave a get-together.

Pay down your debts

School loans and credit cards can have high interest rates that add up over time. Kimberly Palmer, contributor with U.S. News & World Report, advises to pay down your debts as soon as possible to maximize savings.

If you’re not sure where to start, begin with the loans or accounts that have the highest interest rates.

Take advantage of Money Market Accounts and Certificate of Deposits 

An excellent way to grow your long-term savings is opening a Money Market Account or a Certificate of Deposit. These accounts grow at a set rate without the risk of a crashing stock market.

If you own a business, this is the perfect way to save for your taxes. Money Market accounts are liquid, giving you more access to your money.

Use automatic deposits

Put modern banking methods to use by setting up automatic deposits into your savings account, each time you get a paycheck.

Per Former Balance writer Joshua Kennon, it’s an easy way to stay on track with your saving goals.

It’s also a good idea to have the savings account with a separate financial institution than your checking account, as Michele Lerner with Money Crashers recommends. That way, it’s a bit harder to access the funds for non-essential items, the next time you feel like making an impulse buy.

Make your own meals

Frequently eating out can take a toll on your savings. Palmer recommends cooking your own meals regularly, to reduce monthly food costs. She also suggests implementing budget-friendly dishes — like soup and pasta — into your meal plan, to save even more money.

By applying these seven tips, you’re well on your way to a more lucrative new year — and building healthier financial habits that will pay off in the years to come.


Business Loans

How to Choose The Right Business Loan

Choose the right Business Loan for you!
Better Business, Better Loans!

Sometimes, your company needs a hand getting by when the market changes or unexpected costs arise.

During this situations, a business needs a bigger boost to push it to a new operating leve. In both instances, short- and long-term business loans are helpful. Learn more about these two loan options and the best time to apply for one.

Short-term loan basics

As the name implies, short-term business loans don’t stay on the books for long.

According to Rosemary Peavler in an article for The Balance Small Business, these loans usually last less than a year, with some terms as short as 90 days.

These smaller loans are great for businesses that need to build up inventory for busy times.

For instance, a retail shop might apply for a short-term loan to buy Christmas inventory in the fall so they’re ready when the holiday season strikes.

A manufacturing business that needs to pay for supplies before production begins might also use a short-term loan to help them get moving and bring money in.

Long-term loan basics

While short-term loans are for quick infusions of cash, long-term loans are for much bigger projects. According to NerdWallet, these loans are best suited for a business making a major investment or expanding.

Long-term loans have more options, with some of them having terms up to 10 years.

While a business (and its owner, depending on its structure) needs to be in good order to qualify for either a short- or long-term loan, long-term loans are much harder to qualify for. The benefits of a longer loan period include lower interest rates and smaller monthly payments.

Which one to choose?

 

Choosing between short-term and long-term loans is fairly simple, as it depends on how quickly your business can pay back what you owe.

If the money from a loan is more of a bandage solution until you get more capital, a short-term loan is probably the right choice.

However, if your business needs a lot of cash to pay for something that might not produce income for a while, a long-term loan is a better option.

Another thing your business should consider when looking at short-term and long-term loans is which one you qualify for and how expensive it is to borrow that money.

If your business is NEW!

If you are a start-up businesses you may qualify for a short-term loan more easily than long-term loan. The funds might be enough to get you going, but the higher interest rates might make repayment harder than looking for other sources of cash.

If your business is long-standing

If your business qualifies for a loan with a longer term and is comfortable committing to payments spread over several years, the interest rate — or cost to borrow money — tends to be lower.

Choosing the right small-business loan is difficult, especially if an enterprise qualifies for different types. If there is any question about which term is best, consult your financial or business advisor.


Business Growth

4 Business Management Skills You Need to Remember

Business Growth
Grow your business!

Do you remember the time your business started making profit?
The time you realized all your hard work had finally paid off. We are here to remind you of this moment because  there are key business management skills you need to maintain and never forget as your business flourishes.

1. Learn to listen to expert advice

The thing about owning your business is that you learn a lot and it becomes more difficult to listen to experts. This “know-it-all” syndrome can severely deter you from achieving your long-term business goals. Listen to the experts because they can see your business from a neutral perspective. They can tell you when something is working and when something needs to improve. Surround yourself with experts you trust. They may not always tell you what you want to hear, but they will advise you on what is best.

2. Separate your business finances and your personal finances.
Managing your finances properly is essential to keep things running smoothly. Make sure you are budgeting separately, saving separately and spending adequately. Make sure, you have a “salary” for yourself and pay yourself first. A huge common mistake is to reinvest all your earnings into the business you are running. Although, that might be great for a short-term investment strategy, it does not account for your personal financial well-being. You have to anticipate you will not be running your business forever, for this reason you need to have your own personal savings.

3. Learn the tax deductions that apply to you
Make sure you have a “Tax” expert look over your business finances and make sure you are paying as little taxes as required to. Most small businesses qualify for a 20% “Pass-through deduction. The deduction is generally available to eligible taxpayers whose 2018 taxable incomes fall below $315,000 for joint returns and $157,500 for other taxpayers. Additionally, some business might be able to claim their vehicles. If this is you, get some information about how to get Free Gap Insurance  and take advantage of BSCU perks.

4. Stay Liquid and plan accordingly
Bad times happen to everyone, make sure you are prepared for them. Make sure you keep at least 6 months of liquid reserves at all times. Make sure you are also set with the proper protections and have a plan set up for emergency. Ask yourself the following; Do you have disability, health insurance and life insurance set up? If not, time to make adjustments.

We hope this helps!


6 Smart Financial Choices You Should be Making

Smart Financial Choices is the Making
Make Financial Choices that Matter

The world is a revolving door of bills, savings, spending and decisions. When we talk about financial wellness, we don’t usually talk about millions. We talk about living within your means. This means you have to make financial choices that will benefit you. For example:

 

  1. Create an emergency fund

Every single one of you, regardless of how much you make should have an emergency fund. Unfortunately, more than 50 million Americans forget about this very important financial choice.

This very important aspect of savings will help you take care of unexpected life events that will require you to spend money. The last thing you want when an emergency arises is stress about money. This fund will help you get to your next step easier.

 

  1. Embrace minimalism

Do not spend money on things you don’t need. Yes, you may treat yourself once in a while but if you are going out every weekend or changing your house décor every 2 months; STOP!

Take a step back, breathe and ask yourself “Can you live without this?” If the answer is yes, then put your credit card/cash back. We cannot stress this enough; you must live within your means. Once you start doing this, you can actually start achieving other goals like traveling, saving for a home and go on a shopping spree without having a huge financial strain.

 

  1. Make your money accrue interest

Growing up I heard everyone older than me say that financial stability came along when you figured out a way to make your money make own its money. CD’s and Money Market Accounts are the perfect way to make your money accrue interest by just letting it sit. It is also the perfect way to get disciplined with your savings. CD’s and Money market accounts are also a guaranteed way to make money because they do not rely on the stock market to grow. You just need patience.

 

  1. Change your insurance

We briefly mentioned changing your insurance on our “How to Make a proper Budget” blog. The internet has made research easy. Changing your insurance is research you should be making. See how you can take advantage of discounts, promos and benefits that can help you reduce the cost of your insurance.

 

  1. Save money on gas

Gas is one of those little things that makes a difference. If you live anywhere in Florida, you are spending money on gas. A way you can start saving on gas is buying or switching into a smaller car. This may not be possible if you are a parent or have a big family, but if this is not something you need…CHANGE IT!

 

  1. Find ways to make extra money
    Making a little extra money is smart- especially when you want to treat yourself a bit more. You can use APPs and websites like eBay, Offer Up and Facebook to sell gently used items. You can open a separate Savings Account to add the little extra money you are making. The extra dollars can help you pay for a plane ticket and help you pay for a vacation. It can also make it easier to grow your Emergency Fund.

 

Try to follow these tips to help you make better financial choices. It is the little changes that make a difference in your financial well-being.


Create a proper budget

How to create a proper budget

Create a proper budget
Start Budgeting today

Budgeting is the little plan in 2019 that will keep you financially organized and stress-free. However, to make an accurate budget you must have a clear picture of what your goals are.

For example, aside from paying bills this year, you will also like to travel and buy a home. Both are achievable but will take some discipline in your part.

Before you start, go through find ways to reduce your bills.

Reduce Your Bills 

We can thank the internet for making research and price comparison a lot easier. Basically, your first job is to review how to lower your main bills. You should try to reduce your car insurance, phone bill and internet payment. Take around 2 to 3 days to make accurate research and try not to fall for hidden fees.

 

Second, make a list of any additional expenses you have. These expenses are your wants. They will probably include coffee trips, friend dinners, splurge shopping and any expense you simply do not need to do. Minimalism is key when it comes to sticking your budget. After you have written these out find a way to cut them by 80%. Start making coffee at home and have a home-made breakfast with your friends instead.

Prioritize your Bills

Your budget will be divided in 3 parts. Your goals, emergency fund and everyday living.

Set aside 5% of your income after taxes and make this number your emergency fund goal. You will not touch this money unless you absolutely need too.

Then write down every expense you have. Starting with your groceries and ending with your favorite leisure expense.

If your end result shows more income than expenses, you are off to a good start. This means you can prioritize this excess to areas of your budget such as traveling and retiring. If you are showing a higher expense column than income, it means some changes will have to be made.

Make adjustments to expenses.

 If you have accurately identified and listed all of your expenses, the ultimate goal would be to have your income and expense columns to be equal. This means all of your income is accounted for and budgeted for a specific expense or savings goal.

If you’re in a situation where expenses are higher than income, you should look at your  “wants” to find areas to cut. Since these expenses are typically non-essential, it should be easy to shave a few dollars in a few areas to bring you closer to your income.

Review Your Budget Monthly

It’s important to review your budget on a regular basis to make sure you’re staying on track. After the first month take a minute to sit down and compare the actual expenses versus what you had created in the budget. This will show you where you did well and where you may need to improve.

Most importantly, keep yourself organize. A budget only works if you are willing to follow it and put in the work.