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.
