10 Simple Habits of Money-Smart Individuals
10 Simple Habits of Money-Smart Individuals
Tracie Fobes Wed, January 20, 2021,
Mark Cuban. Warren Buffett. Michael Bloomberg. Most people will never be as rich as the world’s wealthiest billionaires, but you can still learn from their smart money habits. From ditching debt to paying bills on time, fiscally savvy folks have developed good habits and plans that keep them in financial shape. And with a little effort, you too can master their tricks for managing money. If you’re looking to break bad money habits and get on more solid financial footing, follow these fiscal tips from the pros.
Have a Written Budget
Many people have a budget — sort of. They know who they have to pay each month and how much. However, they don’t have anything in writing.
When you have a written budget, you see exactly where your money is going. Best of all, you can direct your money where you want it to go.
Your budget is your roadmap to financial success, so make sure you include every single expense. Don’t forget about that coffee you grab on the way to work or the money you spend on parking every day.
Pay Down Debt
Take the steps necessary to pay off your debts. You will need to create a debt payoff plan to make it happen.
Start by assessing the types of debt you carry and determining what might be paid off first. Your credit card debt should be the first thing you look at. In addition to possibly carrying a high interest rate, it typically has variable rates. Because credit cards are revolving debt, if you only make the minimum payment required each month, you may not be able to pin down an end date for your debt.
Consolidating revolving debt into a personal loan lets you lock in a repayment term. In other words, you define an end date to that debt. Plus, by consolidating higher-rate debt you may save money on interest. A Discover® personal loan offers annual percentage rates between 6.99% and 24.99%. And with a fixed rate Discover personal loan, you won’t have to worry about increasing interest rates.
It might take some time, but you can pay off debt if you’re diligent.
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