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Money Management

Money management is a skill few people know how to master. For most of us, making ends meet is hard enough. Knowing how to properly manage your income is one of the most effective ways of getting out of debt and getting on track to financial freedom. It does not come easy and will require a lot of patience and diligence. With proper implementation and a focused mindset, however, the effects will quickly become apparent. Initially, you will probably realize the poor spending habits that you have acquired over time.

Without tracking expenses and keeping an eye on your budget, it is very easy to lose control over the money you have earned. In this economy, managing what one has is just as important as how much income is being brought in. Regardless of how much money you make, if you are unable to manage it wisely, chances are a vast majority of it will quickly be gone. Here are some helpful tips for getting started. Take the time to read through them carefully. Some may appear more useful than others but know that the best money management strategy will incorporate all of these elements.

How Money Management Can Help You

Make a list of your monthly expenses.
The first thing you should do is make a list of all the expenses you have to pay every month. We are referring to the bills you have to pay, not the purchases you make. You will likely have a mortgage or rent to pay, along with car and student loan payments. Add up everything that comes out each month (food, gas, utilities, etc.) and obtain the total. This amount is the figure you have to spend in total every month to get by (maybe).

Once you have drawn up your list, the next step is to evaluate the importance of each bill. Housing and vehicle expenses are obvious necessities, but a cable bill is not. If you can’t afford to pay the critical bills, you will need to downsize that list. Rank each bill from most to least important, then proceed with the process of elimination.

Track every transaction you make.
To keep yourself from spending wastefully, you should record every transaction you make. You can do this by carrying a piece of paper with you, or by using an app on your Smartphone (if you have one). Technology sure does offer a lot of benefits. By tracking your purchases on a daily basis, you will be able to spot excess spending and better avoid it in the future.

Invest in money management software.
There are many great resources online for money management. Software programs like QuickBooks and Quicken are very popular for this purpose, but they’re also a number of Freeware options available as well. Choose one that works for you. You don’t need to get anything fancy, as long as the interface is functional and easy to use.