Financial Tips

• Get Organized. Establish a special location for all your bills and receipts.
• Plan for the future. Major purchases and periodic expenses to gain control over your financial future.
• Set realistic goals. Take a look at your current financial state and set attainable goals for the next 30 days, 2-12 months, and a year or more.
• Save for non-monthly expenses such as insurance, car registration, health deductibles, etc. Save at least 5-10% of your net income each month and start now, even if it's just a few dollars a month.
• Track your expenses. Write down what you spend for one month to determine your basic living expenses, debt payments and periodic expenses.
• Distinguish between wants and needs. Take care of your basic living expenses first, including food, shelter and clothing. Spend money on wants after needs are met.
• Develop a flexible spending plan. Use your daily tracking to create a realistic spending plan that can change with your needs. Evaluate your plan often, comparing actual with planned expenses. Your plan must be flexible and help you meet your goals, NOT make you miserable.
• Don't allow expenses to exceed income. Know where all your money goes and build adequate saving to cover unexpected needs.
• Use credit wisely and never pay just the minimum on your credit card.
• Pay your bills on time and maintain a good credit rating.
• Protect yourself from money triggers, situations that may expose you to external spending triggers (cancel mail order catalogs, don't grocery shop when hungry).
• Make a shopping list and stick to it.
• Limit your number of credit cards. 
• Learn to say "no" to salespeople.
• Learn to say "no" to your family.

*Number of workdays per year estimated at 240 (5 days per week x 48 working weeks with 2 weeks vacation and 10 holidays/year).