Getting things in order always looks like a daunting task whether it’s getting the messed up house in order after the party or your personal finances that you think you’re not really good at. But once you get on the job, all it takes is a head start, a little planning and some determination to get things in order. I’ve rounded up 10 simple strategies that would help you get your financial house in order in just 10 days and make a difference with your money.
Track where your money is going and coming from
All you need to do is list down the sources of income, fixed expenses that you incur such as grocery, rent, fuel, domestic servants, EMI’s etc. and the variable expenses such as telephone, internet, outings and other if any. Just dig out your bank statements, credit card statements and bills if you have any and make an estimate of your monthly expenses.
Set up a method to track your expenses
After this find out how can you do this activity regularly and keep a track of where are you spending and gradually stop spending on things you don’t need or reduce your expenses where you can.
Cancel your underused subscriptions
Find out all the subscriptions you have and see if you can manage even without them, then it’s best to stop them whether it’s subscription package for your television or newspaper or any other services that you are availing currently.
P.S. Most importantly your DTH subscriptions. Keep checking for the latest offers available and ensure that you are availing the benefits at the lowest costs.
Negotiate for lower costs for your expenses
With liberalization, competitors are fighting really hard to cater to the end consumer. Hence take the advantage of it and negotiate to pay for your expenses at lower costs.
Pay your credit card dues
If you have any credit card dues, pay them off immediately. If you don’t have enough money then identify the maximum amount that you can allocate every month towards these dues. Please note I said maximum and not minimum else interest rates would worsen the situations.
Write down your clear and specific savings goals
If you have a wish list whether it’s about travelling or buying a car or buying clothes every month or may be leaving work at 40 or 45 to live your life your way, then just pen this down on a simple piece of paper with the time when you want to fulfill all this.
Hire a financial advisor
Once your wish list is ready, speak to a financial advisor who would help you to quantify these goals and prepare a plan for your savings. Don’t hesitate to speak to a good financial advisor as he/she would only reduce the complexities.
Discuss your current financial position with the advisor
Your financial advisor would be able to do his/her job to the best of his/her abilities only when you share your current financial situation with him/her. For instance current savings, investments, the debt that you owe, your current income and expenses etc.
Set up automatic savings
Once you’ve understood how much you have to save for what, it’s time to set up automatic money transfers from your account to your investment account as it would make savings a habit for you. If you would give yourself time to rethink about your savings decision every month, you might give up on it after sometime.
Stick to the commitments you made in last 10 days
Your house might still get into a mess at the next party even if you decided to keep it neat and tidy. But again and again you’ll not get a chance to put your financial house in order. Hence stick to the commitments you made in these 10 days.
P.S. Do write me back if it worked. I would love to hear from you.
