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I am often asked, “What’s the key to better money management?” I always remind people that money is like unsorted laundry: it is helpless without you. If your finances require some decluttering, whether minor or major, now is the time to take control and do what is necessary to provide the organization and structure your finances desperately need.
You can start by implementing these five easy steps toward better money management. If you do, you’ll spend no more than 10 minutes managing your money per day!
1. Automate Your Finances As Much Possible
I value time as much as I value money. By automating common expenses, such as mortgage or rent payments, utility bills (such as water, trash, electricity, gas, television/internet, and mobile phone), life insurance and disability monthly premiums, car payments, student loan payments, retirement account contributions, and even savings, you can save yourself significant time, energy, stress, worry, and, of course, money. As an added bonus, your days of writing countless checks, licking envelopes, and purchasing stamps will be over forever!
Most major banks will allow you to set-up auto-pay on these bills with very little effort involved. You can even negotiate with most providers to establish a chosen day of the month for your auto-draft to occur, which will allow you to spread out your payments to align with your pay periods. Some institutions, particularly student loan servicers, may provide a small APR reduction when you sign-up for auto draft and paperless billing.
And if you find yourself drowning in student loan debt, I recommend you pursue a better interest rate and refinance your student loans with SoFi. I no longer have student loans, but I recommend SoFi wholeheartedly. Plus, they currently offer a $100 sign-up bonus!
Related Post: Escape From Student Loans: How Two Educators Paid Off $17,831.65 in 54 Days
2. Sign-up for Paperless Billing
One of my daily chores is walking to the mailbox. You can restore fun to the act of walking to the mailbox each day by signing-up for paperless billing with all providers who offer this service. Doing so will literally and figuratively decrease the clutter in your mailbox and your finances.
Furthermore, with electronic copies housed by your various institutions on secure servers, your information will be protected, you will be less likely to experience identity theft, and you will not need to fear losing an important document or missing a bill in the mail.
While you’re at it, be sure you have identity theft protection in place, too! I recommend Identity Guard over all other providers due their high customer service rankings and comprehensive monitoring. See for yourself and sign-up for a free 30 day trial!
3. Use an Online Budgeting Tool
When it comes to monthly budgeting, I believe everyone should create at least one budget utilizing paper, a pencil, and a calculator. In the interest of decluttering and saving time, however, the average consumer has plenty of online budgeting tools from which to choose.
After utilizing Gazelle Budget for many years, I recently transitioned to a paid subscription version of EveryDollar, a product created by the team at Ramsey Solutions. EveryDollar is a very effective way to create detailed monthly budgets, track spending by linking with all of your financial accounts, and monitor progress on your goals. I particularly enjoy the features which allow users to create sinking funds and budget for irregular expenses. And the best part is that my wife and I can both use the app!
4. Use Cash Allowances to Pay for Basic Spending
While an automated budgeting platform can certainly ease the burden of tracking a multitude of debit and credit transactions within your monthly budget, I recommend providing cash allowances within basic categories such as groceries, restaurants, gas, and discretionary spending. You can include these cash allowances in your budget with one simple transaction on the first day of the month.
5. Eliminate Your Debts
For many families, debt can represent a significant percentage of their monthly budgeted income. When you shed the shackles of debt, you free up additional streams of income which may be re-allocated as automated contributions toward liquid savings, a home down payment, retirement accounts, non-retirement investments, or savings toward the purchase of rental properties.
Additionally, without multiple debt obligations, the sheer number of your monthly transactions will be reduced. Fewer transactions will lead to even greater simplification. You will also experience the peace that comes with no fear of missing a payment or incurring late fees and interest charges. Lastly, you will not experience guilt each month as financial institutions earn interest on your hard-earned income.
Final Recommendations for Better Money Management
If you are willing to dedicate a few hours this week, you can implement the above steps to get on the path toward better money management – then maintain a routine in less than 10 minutes per day! The sacrifices you make in doing so will pay great dividends, pun partially-intended, for your financial future. As a result, you will be free to turn your attention from fretting and worrying about your finances and onto building your future.
Readers, what are your tips and tricks for better money management?