logo
Login Subscribe
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Tips to spring clean your budget
news
March 11, 2025
Tips to spring clean your budget
By STATEPOINT

With flowers blooming and birds chirping, you may be in a spring-cleaning mindset. As you spruce up your home, you can also channel that energy into getting your finances in tip-top shape!

According to certified financial planning professionals, here’s how to clear away the cobwebs in your budget:

• Sort expenditures

If you’ve ever sorted your clothes and other items into piles during a spring clean, this budgeting prin-ciple will be familiar to you: Review your expenses and categorize them into needs, wants and expenditures you’re ready to part with. Whether you do this on paper or electronically, use a color-coded system to visualize where your money is going.

• Review your streaming services

Electronic subscription bloat is common, as is paying for forgotten subscriptions after free trials end. For example, you may be subscribed to several of the most common entertainment streaming services, such as Netflix, Max and Hulu. Do you really need all of them? Whether it’s an online newsletter or a music streaming service, cancel unused subscriptions.

• Avoid bank fees

Review your bank statements. Are you getting dinged with fees? Consider switching to a bank that doesn’t charge an account maintenance fee. You can also set up notifications to avoid having your account get hit with an overdraft. If you do get charged, contact your bank to explain your situation — you may be able to have some fees waived.

• Switch insurance carriers

Periodically review your insurance rates, and shop the market to see if better rates are available for home, automotive and other forms of insurance.

• Reduce debt

If your debt is costing you a pretty penny, it’s time to act. A CFP professional or credit counselor can help you craft a plan for consolidating debt into lower-rate credit card accounts, refinancing your mortgage and reducing your overall debt burden. You should also automate credit card payments (and other bills) to ensure you aren’t paying late fees.

• Pay yourself first

Earmark a portion of your budget to savings and investments each month. This will leave you with more money for your important goals and less for frivolous spending.

This spring, go beyond dusting the baseboards and mopping the floors. Refresh your finances for a fresh start to the season.

Where does milk comes from?
Main, news
Where does milk comes from?
November 11, 2025
Muldrow Elementary School recently had a visit from the Southwest Dairy Farmers Association’s trained instructors. They demonstrated how to milk a cow, described how milk goes from the farm to the con...
Main, news
Gans School offering support amid temp SNAP benefit disruption
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
November 11, 2025
Gans Public School District is reaching out to support families who may be affected by the temporary interruption of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the ongoing f...
Liberty superintendent bids farewell after 15 years of service
Main, news
Liberty superintendent bids farewell after 15 years of service
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
November 11, 2025
After 15 years of dedicated service, Liberty Public School Superintendent Chris Michael is preparing to close one chapter of his career and begin another. In a heartfelt message to the Liberty communi...
Operation Guardian enforcement releases results of crackdown
Main, news
Operation Guardian enforcement releases results of crackdown
On illegal immigrant truck drivers
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
November 11, 2025
Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) have announced the results of a recent Operation Guardian enforcement action targeting illegal immigrant commercial drivers along the I-40 co...
Muldrow recognizes Teachers of the Year
Main, news
Muldrow recognizes Teachers of the Year
November 11, 2025
Muldrow Public Schools recently recognized their site Teachers of the Year: Elizabeth Rosenberg - Elementary Stefanie Followell - Middle School Paige Lattimore - High School The school administration ...
news
Roland Shop With A Cop/Firefighter is Dec. 13
November 11, 2025
Roland Police and Fire Departments will host their annual Shop With A Cop/Firefighter Christmas community event at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Dollar General in Roland. The event is being sponsore...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
BETA Club donates to MCCO
news
BETA Club donates to MCCO
November 11, 2025
A big shoutout goes to the amazing students in the Muldrow BETA Club for going above and beyond during the food drive for the Muldrow Cherokee Blessed Box. Your hard work and generous hearts truly mad...
news
Roland Police accepting donations to keep others warm
November 11, 2025
As the cold weather moves in, the Roland Police Department is asking the community to come together and help keep local kids warm this winter season. The department is collecting new and gently used j...
The Lemonade War with a heart
news
The Lemonade War with a heart
November 11, 2025
Mrs. Rainwater’s fourth grade class at Roland Elementary wrapped up The Lemonade War by bringing the story to life with a friendly Girls vs. Boys competition. The girls raised $148 and the boys raised...
Fall storytime at Muldrow Library
news
Fall storytime at Muldrow Library
November 11, 2025
The Muldrow Public Library is hosting fall storytime throughout the month of November. Join the library every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for a story and some fun.
news
OSU Extension is working to help struggling families put food on the table
By TRISHA GEDON OSU AG. EXT. 
November 11, 2025
If the government shutdown continues, more than 680,000 Oklahoma families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will struggle even more to put food on the table when their food-sup...
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

EASTERN TIMES-REGISTER
603 W. Schley
Vian, OK
74962

(918) 427-3636

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Eastern Times-Register

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy