5 tips to manage your finances better

We all know of the moments when we look at our bank accounts in despair, worried if we’ll be able to pay the bills on time. That bag we want, the delicious meals we want to splurge on, there are so many things we want but can not afford due to constantly draining our bank accounts. 

Whether it’s to help you achieve these purchases, or to avoid such purchases for more important ones, we have you covered with tips to become more efficient with managing your money. 

1. Create a budget and track your spending

Many people stray away from budgeting as they don’t want to spend time adding up their expenses, making sure everything lines up, and figuring out where and how their money is being spent. 

If saving money isn’t your strong suit, not creating a budget does not help this problem at all. Understanding how much money you have to spend monthly on necessities and then understanding how much money you are at liberty to spend is extremely important. 

Accordingly, look at your income and create a budget to which you need to stick to, including necessities such as bills and food, as well as entertainment, and make sure you do not go overboard. 

Tracking your spending by taking note of it and holding yourself accountable for unnecessary spending helps you cut down for the future, so that you are more aware of where to hold yourself back and save what you would have otherwise spent. 

2. Don’t commit to any bills or plans

Just because you qualify for a certain loan, or feel like getting a new monthly subscription, do not sign up for any bills or plans!

Whether it’s an upgrade on your Netflix plan, a subscription to a new fashion magazine, do not commit to any new obligations that do not serve a purpose or any sort of help in your life. 

These monthly plans and bills add up to a large amount, to many people’s surprise. When signing up it might not seem like a lot, just a few dollars each maybe, but when adding up all these individual subscriptions, it can amount to a lot. 

3. Put away a certain amount of money by saving

Having savings is important, as you never know when you’ll have a rainy day. 

Comparison shopping can help you save a lot. By investigating different prices, looking for discounts, coupons, and looking for cheaper alternatives, a lot of money can be saved instead of going for the first option you see. 

Putting this money away, whether into a savings account or putting cash aside, will help whenever there is an emergency. For example, if you unexpectedly get into an accident, get laid off, have some sort of health issue, etc, extra funds will be needed, which is when savings help. 

Even if it’s for big investments or savings, such as a house, car, or family planning, learning to cut back expenses and putting money aside is important.  

4. Understand needs vs wants according to your income 

It’s very important to distinguish the difference between wants and needs. Do you really need that red dress? Or do you need to pay your bills? Which one is more important?

Understanding what is a necessity, and what will make your life easier, in comparison to what you would like and could live without, is crucial when it comes to money management. 

In the heat of the moment, you may feel like splurging on things you may not need, only to realize later how your purchase was not all that necessary. 

Sticking to a strict shopping list, besides clearly thinking and reflecting on the differences between needs and wants, may also help realize what the differences between your necessities and nonnecessities are. Additionally, this way you won’t find yourself buying items outside the list that tempt you in the heat of the moment when you see them in a store. 

5. Start investing and find an accountability partner

A great way that has increasingly become popular when it comes to saving money, as well as building money, is investing.

Whether it’s stocks, real estate, investing for long-runs can lead to great returns. The more you invest every year, the more your money can grow. 

However, there are risks that come with investing, but with proper research and cautious steps, you can build your wealth in no time. 

There are also financial advisors who specialize in helping you invest, aside from basic money management. 

If not a financial advisor, you can ask one of your loved ones to keep you accountable and in check. Whether it be someone who has similar financial goals as you do to conquer together, or someone just checking in and making sure you’re not over-spending, having someone to bring you back in the money management zone and hold you accountable when you make mistakes will definitely help you spend your money more cautiously.