Benjamin Roussey, Author at Savings Roll

Finance

6 Benefits of Budgeting Your Finances

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on August 15, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

Budgeting is non-negotiable when you want to manage your money judiciously. While budgeting is not perfect and will not solve all your financial woes, it is crucial to have a healthy financial life.

Many people mistakenly assume that budgeting is something you do when you are strapped for cash and living paycheck to paycheck. Not quite, budgeting can actually help even when you are making a significant amount of money. It can help you make the most of every dollar and enable you to save money that you would not otherwise be able to.

Prevents You from Overspending

Failing to plan for your financial well-being can make you susceptible to overspending. If spending is a problem for you, start working with a budget. When you know how much money you have coming in each month, you can see if there are any areas where you’re overspending without realizing it.

For example, when you put together a monthly budget, it might become clear that there are extra monthly charges on your credit card bill — maybe because of subscriptions or memberships that could be canceled without affecting your life too much. Using a budget to help direct your spending will ensure that the majority of your paycheck is applied towards paying off debt rather than simply being used on a whim.

Helps with Long-Term Savings

Saving for the future is an admirable goal that most of us have at some point. When you know exactly where your money is going each month, saving for more significant expenses like vacations or down payments on homes becomes easier. You can also set aside money for emergencies or unexpected costs that might come up during the year — like car repairs or medical bills — without having to rack up credit card debt to pay for them.

Makes Saving Easier

Today’s lifestyle makes it hard to save money because so many temptations and luxuries get in the way of our goals. People without a budget tend to spend more than they earn. By finding multiple areas where you can cut back, you’ll have more money to put away in savings.

You can have your money automatically withdrawn from your checking account into an investment plan or savings account. You will eventually achieve your financial goals by consistently saving a portion of each paycheck which is awesome during these high inflation times.

Offers More Flexibility

The great thing about budgeting is that you don’t need an exact idea for every expense when it comes to financial planning. If you only have a ballpark idea of your finances, you can develop a budget to help guide your decisions in the coming weeks and months.

There’s no reason to wait until you’ve got everything figured out to start working toward your goals—you can develop a budget based on your best guess and factor in any changes as they occur. It’s not going to be perfect, and that’s okay.

You can adjust your budget as new information comes in and as your circumstances change. The important thing is that you have a budget—it helps ensure you’ll be able to stick to your plans, even if some details are flexible.

Accelerates Your Financial Independence

Many people get frustrated with budgeting because they see it as a chore, but it is really an exercise in setting and achieving goals. When you start thinking about your monthly goals within the framework of budgeting, you can more easily set effective budgets and reach those goals faster.

For example, one of the most common financial goals is to save up to buy a house. To accomplish this goal, you first need to set a specific dollar amount that you want to put towards buying a home every month. Then, you need to create a spending plan for everything else in your life so that when it’s time for you to put money towards your house fund, there are no holes in your budget which is critical when gas prices are so unappealing.

Gives You Greater Control of Your Money

It’s easy to feel out of control with your spending when you don’t know what you have available. You can bury your head in the sand until it’s too late, or you can put a budget into place and make a plan for your financial future. To plan properly, you need to know what is going on with your money today.

Budgeting lets you see your income, spending, and expenses on one simple number. Once you have this number in hand and can see where your money is actually going, you’ll be able to easily adjust your budgets and expenses as needed to get more of what matters most out of life.

Money

6 Ways to Make Money Using Your Car

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on July 8, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

There are numerous ways to make passive income these days, and your car is another way you can earn extra money. With that said, there are a few things to consider before you get started. For example, if you are an independent contractor using your car to earn money, you are responsible for paying your taxes. If you happen to earn over $400 in a year, you will be subjected to self-employment tax.

You also need to factor in that all your car-related expenses would be from your own pocket. These include vehicle repair, fuel costs and maintenance. Find out how much your realistic income is going to be because many times things are not as glamorous as it seems. Side hustles may include increasing mileage on your car, which can also result in wear and tear. The value of your car is also likely to depreciate over time.

That being said, there are many ways you can make substantial money using your car. Below are listed some of the most popular ways to do so.

Become a ridesharing app driver

You can become a driver for a ridesharing app. You need to drive people from one point to another and you earn most of the proceeds from the app. Based on this, you do need to pass criminal background checks, and driving record tests, as well as meet the criteria for age and the quality standards. In addition, you need to pay most vehicular expenses such as insurance, gas, repairs, and maintenance.

If you want to be profitable in this venture, it is best to operate during peak hours rather than a 9 to 5 schedule. For example, weekday rush hours and bar closing times over weekends are the best times to operate. Many drivers earn as much as $25 per hour. There are several ridesharing apps available such as Uber, Lyft, Wingz, as well as local alternatives in your area.

Operate as a food delivery person

There are many apps these days that enable doorstep food delivery. These include apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub. The modus of operation is similar to a ridesharing app. But the difference is here there are no passengers – you just need to deliver the food. Typically, the peak hours here are during lunch and dinner.

If you already have a 9 to 5 job, then dinner time may work best for this side job. With that said, keep in mind you will have to wait for the food prep staff to prepare the meal before you can deliver it. This process may not always be smooth sailing. Try to register with several food delivery apps, so that you have multiple sources of income which can help you cope with these inflationary times.

Deliver other types of goods

You can also deliver other goods such as groceries, as is the case with the Instacart app. You will be known as a full-service shopper, where you receive the customer’s order on your app, visit the grocery store, assemble the order, and then deliver it to the customer’s doorstep. Shipt is another app that delivers not just groceries but also household goods and pet supplies. Their membership model encourages customers to order frequently. That means, you will have a steady order supply to earn money from.

Amazon Flex is another option where you can earn as much as $25 per hour, and get to deliver the goods in your own time. You can distribute your time across multiple apps so that your earning potential is higher which can help you deal with these gas prices that are superhigh and hurting so many people (EVs will not be practical for another 10 years).

Advertising on your car

If you own a new car and usually do longer commutes, wrapping your car in removable advertising decals is a great way to earn money from advertising. The advantage is that you don’t need to put in extra miles on your car from what you normally drive. Stemming from this, you do need to meet the advertiser’s requirements on the number of miles driven.

Rent your car

Another excellent money earner is to rent your car, especially if you don’t use it as often. Give it for rent on a short-term basis to locals who don’t have a car and to tourists who don’t want traditional rentals.

Help others move

If your car has a sizable backseat and trunk, then you can use this space to help other people move. You can use the car to deliver furniture if space allows. Otherwise, you can also become a DIY mover and advertise your services on social media.

Finance, Money

5 Things You Must Know to Take Control of Your Budget

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on June 25, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

Managing your finances can be extremely rewarding, but also challenging. If you’ve never tried to budget before, then it can be hard to figure out how to make it work for you. That’s because many factors affect your budget, which can seem quite complicated. But once you break out of old habits and learn to focus on the things that matter most, it’s possible to have fun with your money and save up at the same time. Below are some tips for mastering the budget game.

Know Your Numbers

The first step in budgeting is figuring out where your money is going now — and what you can cut back on. You can’t control your money if you don’t know where your money is going. Start by tracking your spending for a month or two so you have an accurate picture of your income and expenses. You can do this manually, like write everything down in a notebook or use free apps to help keep track of your spending and see what areas of your budget need tweaking.

If you get paid weekly, write down each paycheck every time you get one — don’t wait until the end of the month to do it all at once. This is especially important if you have an irregular income. If you only get paid once per month, once per quarter, or something similar, then write down each payment along with any other transactions. You’ll also want to ensure you’re getting the most out of any credit cards or rewards programs.

Set a Goal for Yourself

Once you know how much money is coming in and going out each month, set a realistic monthly savings goal. For example, if you want to save $500 per month, then plan to spend $500 less than what comes in each month, assuming there are no unexpected expenses.

If possible, try to set aside extra monthly money, say $100, which goes straight into savings without being touched until the next month rolls around. This will help build up your savings account quickly without taking away from other priorities like paying off debt or contributing toward retirement accounts.

Set aside Sinking Funds

A sinking fund is an accounting measure used to allocate funds for an ongoing project. The money is put aside for a specific purpose, such as paying off debt or paying for something in the future. It allows you to set aside money always to have it available for your project. They can be used not just for savings purposes but also for working towards a specific goal, such as saving for college funds because society spends enough on K-12, it just cannot afford to pay for peoples’ college pursuits.

The alternative approach would be to put extra money towards the debt monthly, but in practice, this may not happen because people overspend their normal limits and have nothing left to add to their debt repayment plan. A sinking fund is a way you can pay down your debt and have extra money built up in reserve if you ever fall short on funds which can happen in a high gas costing, inflationary environment.

Anticipate Irregular Expenses

We set budgets for the many things we purchase throughout the year. But one of the most critical areas to budget for is irregular expenses. Inconsistent expenses are just that – not every month or six months, but only once a year, such as saving for festival gifts, vet visits, or medical check-ups.

It is essential to plan for these as they can seriously impact your cash flow and should not be overlooked. Forgetting to add these into your initial budget could make a difference between having money in your account and not.

Automate Money for Savings

Saving money can feel like a challenge. It’s hard to remember to do it every day and don’t even think about saving in between paychecks or on paydays. By automating your savings, you can ensure that you’re saving and setting money aside for emergencies or larger goals like retirement. Saving money on an automatic deposit can seem daunting at first, but once you get into the routine of saving on auto pilot, it becomes second nature. Once you’ve taken the first step of linking accounts and setting up automatic deposits, all that’s left is sticking to it and ensuring that each account has enough money in it so that transactions are completed successfully and without error.

Finance, Money

7 Tips to Ensure Financial Stability During Retirement

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on May 8, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

How will I afford my expenses in the post-retirement years? That is the one question that crosses everyone’s mind at some point in their lives. A large number of people do not have a plan for their retirement. Having insufficient retirement funds is one of the biggest financial worries of more than 50% of the population.

But it is never too late to start. Even if you are in your 50s, you still have 10-15 years to ‘tighten the reins’ and save for your retirement. It will give you much-needed peace of mind and keep you from all the hassles during any emergency.

If you want to be financially stable during retirement, here are some valuable tips:

Start saving as soon as you can

The earlier you start, the more benefits you have. It is true for every investment. You need to start saving as soon as possible because each penny saved will add significantly to your retirement savings pool. Moreover, the power of compounding will start working to boost your savings exponentially with the passage of time.

Remember that around 30 percent of working adults say they have no savings for retirement funds. But this number declines as they move towards their retirement age. The cue here is to get started whenever you think it is feasible and not keep delaying your decision.

Be debt free

A debt at any stage of life can be harsh on savings. It is when you are close to your retirement age. When your savings are scarce, having debt can be a substantial financial strain. The interest burden on the debts can hit your ability to save. As you approach your retirement age, ensure that you do not have any outstanding debts. If any, whether that is vehicle loans, credit cards, private loans, etc., make a special and aggressive effort to pay off the debts before you retire.

Diversify your portfolio

The age-old adage tells us that we should not put all our eggs in one basket. It holds for saving for retirement as well. You should not put all your savings into one account. Having only one form of investment increases the risk of losing all your savings in an emergency. It is advised that you invest in a diversified portfolio.

Asset allocation plays a crucial role while planning your retirement. You should also have some liquid cash handy when you need it. You should consider your risk tolerance and years in retirement before finalizing an investment.

Consider potential retirement costs

Life after retirement can be full of surprises – there could be runaway inflation and high gas prices, for instance. You may have to incur costs that you may not have planned for. As a result, it is always better to keep a certain buffer amount to cover your expenses. You should also consider the potential expenses in old age, including dental and other medical costs, long-term care charges, income tax, etc. Proper financial planning allows you the freedom to lead a peaceful post-retirement life.

Plan your expenses

It is good to reassess your financial profile and savings and make adjustments if required. Consider downsizing or relocating to a city with a lower cost of living. For instance, while traveling the world can be an enrapturing idea post-retirement, going on vacation during the off-season can save you a significant amount of money.

Keep earning during retirement

A report by Provision Living states that more than 20% of the retired population continues to work – probably even more so when the cost of goods are so high. It adds that it is not due to a shortage of money but because they enjoy their work. Post-retirement, you can take up work you always wanted to take up. It can be either a part-time or full-time job as per your preference.

Retirement time is a golden opportunity to leverage the skills, talents, or hobbies you have always wanted to try out. It can be anything ranging from teaching music to church work on Sundays. In addition to having a purposeful time, it will also add up to your savings.

Work with a financial planner

You can always benefit from expert advice. Financial planners are aware of the unique challenges that retirees face. They can chalk out your investments and expenses and suggest ways to optimize them. Also, if you are not experienced in financial planning, you can always consider working with professionals. They can guide you in choosing your retirement plans customized to your needs.

Finance, Money

4 Financial Milestones You Must Accomplish by Age 30

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on April 11, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

A popular perception amongst millennials is that they stand a fair chance of becoming millionaires at some point in their lives. The American dream is still alive even despite the problems this country is facing now. Most believe that they will retire by the time they reach the age of 60 or thereabouts. However, for accomplishing these ambitious and admittedly optimistic goals, it is crucial that you first attain specific financial milestones grounded in reality.

In this post, we will discuss 4 realistic milestones that you need to accomplish by the time you reach the age of 30, so that you are set for a strong and growth-oriented financial future.

Goal 1: Strengthen Your Skill Set

Compared to all the other goals, you might find this one the most enjoyable. Your 20s are meant to invest in yourself, whether that involves saving up for further education, traveling or experiencing the myriad facets of life. You have fewer commitments at this stage and can easily pursue activities that interest you the most.

Start by listing your goals, whether you are considering a trip to an exotic destination, attending an upcoming music festival, or gaining admission to a top university. With that done, you need to start saving. The importance of developing the discipline to keep some money aside from each paycheck that you receive cannot be emphasized enough. Living within your means is critically important.

You might even consider an arrangement in which your savings are directly taken out of your paycheck, which deters you from overspending. Whenever you receive a raise, increase the amount of your savings until you reach a point where about 15% of your income is kept away for your financial security.

Goal 2: Keep Your Debt Under Control

On an average, personal debt has scaled new heights in recent times. More than 50% of Americans admit that debt reduction is a top financial priority for them today.

Interestingly, a study found that there was a much higher probability of people accumulating from $5,000 to $25,000 as debt rather than personal savings. This can be because of college loans which can be paid off with dedication.

Considering all this, it is vital to start early in managing your debt, whether it is for car loans, student loans or credit card debt. Keeping your debt under control gives you a better grip on life and helps you focus on achieving greater success in every aspect of your life and career.

Goal 3: Begin Saving For Your Retirement

Even if you aren’t able to do anything else before reaching the age of 30, this one counts as one of the key goals. Don’t fall short of contributing enough to your employer’s 403(b) or 401(k) for maximizing the employer match.

While 66% of millennials are engaged in jobs that include a retirement plan, just 55% of them (in contrast to 80% of Boomers) are qualified for participating in an employer’s plan, a study has found. Workers may fail to be eligible for such a plan due to not having been employed long enough or not working enough hours to be able to qualify.

Taking advantage of your employer’s plan makes for good financial sense. When you’re in your golden years of life, these efforts at frugality will stand you in good stead. The earlier you begin saving, the longer your money will compound, resulting in a comfortable retirement saving.

Goal 4: Acquire the Knowledge and Habit of Investing

You’ll get an idea of the power of investing when you open your first employer-sponsored savings plan like 401(k). However, there are other opportunities available to invest as well for those in their 20s and 30s.

Although it may be somewhat premature to start consulting with a financial advisor, there are quite a few robo-advisors that specifically focus on millennials with less demanding fees and minimums. For a small monthly fee, you can start investing in good retirement products through reliable investment apps.

These apps and robo-advisors can help you open an IRA and select a low-cost portfolio for you in accordance with your risk appetite and investment goals. You can begin investing with very small amounts in a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA or SEP IRA.

Another option for low cost investing is the Robinhood platform – which has a mobile as well as web app. Robinhood allows you to trade in stocks for free and offers a Gold service as well, which comes for a small monthly fee. Robinhood has also launched Robinhood Crypto, which allows users to trade in Bitcoin and other virtual currencies – for which no commission is charged.

Money

Long-Term Strategies To Amplify Your Retirement Savings

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on March 5, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

In order to plan for retirement, it is always better to start saving early on so that you can maximize the benefits of wealth compounding over time and help combat the tough environment all Americans are living in now via supply chain, inflation, high energy costs, and so forth.

However, even though you might have started saving later on in your business or professional career, it might be reassuring to know that there are plenty of folks out there in the same boat as you. The fact is, it is never too late to get started and there are certain steps that you can take to enhance your retirement savings.

The following tips are worth considering, regardless of your present stage in life, so that you can improve your savings for when you need them most – at the time of retirement.

Start Your Savings Mission Today

This is especially important if you have decided to start putting money aside for retirement. If you can start saving as much as possible now, you can leverage the power of compounding in your favor. The earnings flowing from the financial assets created from your savings, using compound interest, can be reinvested in order to generate even more earnings.

However, as experts say, it’s critical to start saving right away once your mind is made up. At the time of retirement, the strength of your financial position is directly related to how early on in life you began saving.

401(k) Contribution

In case you qualify for a traditional 401(k) plan that your employer offers, it might permit you to contribute pre-tax money, which could be a distinct advantage. Suppose that you fall in the 12% tax bracket and have decided on contributing $100 per month (assuming that your pay period is monthly).

Since your contribution comes from your paycheck prior to federal income taxes being assessed, your take-home pay is reduced by only $88 (subject, of course, to further deduction by way of applicable local and state income taxes as also Medicare tax and Social Security). This implies you can invest more of your income without feeling the pinch as much in your monthly budget.

Take Full Advantage Of Your Employer’s Match

If your employer is willing to match your contributions towards your 401(k) plan, make sure that your contribution is sufficient to give you full advantage of the match. For instance, an employer might offer to match 50% of the contributions of employees subject to a limit of 5% of salary. What that essentially means is if your earning is $50,000 annually and your contribution towards your retirement plan is $2,500, your employer is obliged to pitch in an extra $1,250. Basically, that is free money which should not be ignored which is awesome in this inflationary and high energy cost environment.

Reduce Your Spending

Take a good look at your budget. You may want to negotiate a reduced rate for your car insurance or bring lunch to work instead of visiting a restaurant. The idea is that you should explore avenues to reduce spending without adversely impacting your personal or family’s well-being. The money thus saved can then be set aside to enhance your retirement savings.

Set Your Goal

Determining how much money you need to have available when it is time to retire can not only be revealing but also rewarding. Such an exercise can help you better appreciate why you are saving and the ultimate goal towards which you are progressing. As you continue with your savings discipline, you should be able to feel a sense of satisfaction that you are well on your way to a financially secure life of retirement.

Put Away Extra Money

Have you unexpectedly come across some extra money? Be sure not to spend it or spend as little of it as possible. Each time you get a raise, take your contribution percentage a notch higher. Set aside at least a half of the extra money for your retirement plan. And although you may be tempted to use that salary bonus or tax refund to splurge on a smartphone or a vacation, resist that urge and instead make do with small pleasures that will leave most of the fund intact. You can then use the new money to take bolder steps for improving your retirement savings.

Go Slow On Social Security As You Approach Retirement

This is a very crucial step. Each year that you are able to delay receiving a payment from Social Security, prior to reaching the age of 70, the amount that you receive in future will be higher accordingly. Hence, if you go slow on Social Security, the monthly benefits will accrue quickly and lead to a much better income as retirement approaches.

Money

7 Simple Ways to Earn Extra Cash And Boost Your Income

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on February 9, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

Having some free cash on hand is always an astute idea, even when times are good. No one wants to be caught flat-footed with no way to get the bills paid. It’s not that hard to earn some extra money in a very short period, but it takes discipline and planning. Here are some strategies to get started:

Sell Used Things on Amazon

If you aren’t using Amazon to sell old stuff, then it’s time to get started. Not only does Amazon have a massive audience of more than 250 million active users, but it also serves as the world’s largest online retailer of everything from electronics to clothing.

If your home is cluttered with products you no longer use but still have value, you can resell them for more cashback into your bank account. With Amazon, you can create listings for your items for free and choose from several pricing options.

Become an Expert on JustAnswer

With so many people looking for answers to questions on the internet, it should come as no surprise that there’s a whole industry built around answering them. On sites like JustAnswer.com, you sign up to be an expert in a specific field and are then authorized to provide answers to particular forms of questions from website visitors.

JustAnswer is one of many sites that bring together people looking for expertise with experts who are willing to share their know-how. No surprises if you’re really knowledgeable about your topic – you’ll make good money.

Find Gigs on Fivver

You can make money on Fiverr, no matter what type of skill you have. $5 per gig is one option, but there are other ways to bring in revenue as well. Fiverr Pro gives you access to the top freelancers on its platform. Regardless of the service you provide, there’s probably a demand for it on Fiverr.

This offers fantastic flexibility for freelancers who want to scale up their services and earn a quick buck. Whether you’re good at writing blog posts, social media marketing or coding HTML and CSS, chances are you will find something that may help you earn some free cash.

Be a Dog Walker on Rover

If you love animals and want to make some free cash easily and quickly, dog walking is one of the best ways to do it. Free up your weekends and earn a few extra bucks walking dogs when you’re not busy. Rover.com makes it easy to be one of those dog walkers and get paid for doing so which can help you whether the storm of inflation and high energy prices.

The pay generally ranges from $15 to $35 per hour based on your experience as well as any certifications or additional training you may have. Of course, this will vary with the dog’s size, how long the job takes, how far you’ll need to travel, and all other factors involved.

Sell Pictures on ShutterStock

Are you a professional photographer? Or maybe an amateur with a good eye for photos? If so, you can make money on both sides of the camera. Sell your photos on sites like ShutterStock and iStockPhoto to earn passive income. For another option, you can check out companies that are looking for photographers to cover various events. You can find a lot of them through Craigslist or by Googling.

Take Online Surveys on Survey Junkie

The secret to getting free stuff and earning a bit of extra cash is always trying new things. That’s why Survey Junkie is a fun site that allows surveys to fit into your schedule. Answer a few short questions online and let them match you up with surveys that suit your needs.

As an online survey taker, you can take advantage of all that free time and make money in your spare time from home! It’s simply an easy way to make unexpected cash without doing much work which cannot come at a more perfect time as costs for goods and food at the supermarket are high and increasing.

Debit Card Cashback

While credit card rewards programs are becoming more enticing, consumers may be missing out on free money that’s right under their noses: cashback debit cards. As a member of these banks and credit unions, you will receive cashback based on the amount of money you spend each month. Take time to compare the best cashback debit cards and choose the one that fits your spending habits, type of shopping, and financial goals.

Money

5 Tips to Become a Multi-Millionaire

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on January 4, 2022 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

Who does not want to be a millionaire? Our capitalistic society has always incentivized the aspiration to make it big, and attaining millionaire status remains a quintessential benchmark of unabashed success.

But the harsh reality is that becoming a millionaire (and more so, a multi-millionaire) is going to be more of a necessity than a mere aspiration, in the foreseeable future. Research studies reveal that millennials might have to continue working well past retirement age if they do not accumulate somewhere between $1.8 and $2.5 million in their working lives. Inflation does not help!

Remember, the biggest reward in becoming a multi-millionaire is not just the money that you earn. It is the combination of knowledge, skills, clarity of thought, ambition, passion, and determination that can help you become a multi-millionaire.

Let me share with you some simple tips that can help you propel towards achieving your dreams of becoming a multi-millionaire. These tips, if followed diligently, can turn you not just into a multi-millionaire, but the kind of person who improves others’ lives while doing influential work.

Be Enterprising

Almost half of the world’s richest people are entrepreneurs. You can open the doors to unlimited earning potential when you hire people and leverage their time to build your own business, instead of trading your own time for money by working for someone else.

Even if you are a part of a new business venture, and not the founder, you can reap tremendous rewards as early employees can often pick up equity in a startup to counterbalance their low salaries.

Be Proficient

Excellence commands a premium, so if you are the best in your field of work, you can demand a hefty compensation for your skills and knowledge. Even though you might still be trading your time for money, that money can be substantial enough to make you a multi-millionaire.

CEOs of large corporations are millionaires many times over, making over fifteen million dollars a year on average. That amounts to a staggering 271 times the annual pay of an ordinary American worker who takes home $58,000 on average and is less than you think when gas prices are high which they are now and have been since the summer of 2021.

So, if you are passionate about what you do and also do not want to take on the risk of entrepreneurship, mastering your craft with complete dedication will pay in the long run, taking you to the top of the corporate ladder and turning you into a multi-millionaire.

Be Far-Sighted

Think long term whenever you are making any business or investment decision. Focusing on minor short-term goals is akin to missing the wood for the trees. Before any major decision, ask yourself how much would it matter five years from now. If it would not, do not give it much thought.

Be Willing to Learn

Do not be like most people who put in the time but not their best effort. You cannot hope to fulfill your dream of becoming a multi-millionaire if you work merely for the paycheck at the end of the month.

Strive to constantly punch above your weight; giving it your best shot. If you closely study the most successful people in the world, they are the ones who do not let their passion wane or dim, year after year. And that comes through very clearly, in the quality of the work they do.

Be a passionate learner ready to gain from developing your mind and constantly updating your knowledge and skills. This will not only help you earn more money, but will also improve every facet of your life.

Be Goal-Oriented

Use pursuit of profit as a means to an end, and not the end in itself. The pursuit of happiness is much more than keeping going after more, without realizing whether it is a worthwhile goal or not, in the larger scheme of things.

Keep your ultimate goal in mind, and then work backward to see what you need to do in order to attain that goal. Set parameters and targets for both work and personal life, writing them down to understand more clearly what you need, to live a life full of money as well as joy and abundance.

In terms of your monetary goals, you must calculate the money you need to put aside for emergencies in addition to the money you require to maintain your lifestyle. There are several ways to invest and store your savings, including a mix of bank, cash, crypto, gold, or whatever else you feel comfortable with.

Finance, Uncategorized

7 Strategies to Clean Up Your Finances in The New Year

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on December 8, 2021 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

The year is almost gone and whew, what a year it has been! Like most people, you’ve probably also been a busy bee – saving, spending, collecting rewards points, paying off bills, and dealing with inflation and high gas prices – problems we have not had since the late 1970s. So, with the New Year just around the corner, now is a great time to de-clutter your finances and start taking steps towards a better financial future.

In this post, we have compiled a list of 7 strategies you can implement today to clean up your paperwork and accounts and make the most of your money.

Make Retirement Planning A Priority

When it comes to getting your finances in order, most people tend to neglect their retirement planning especially if they are in their 20s or 30s. It is crucial, however, to remember that the sooner you start saving for your golden years, the more moolah you’ll have, thanks to the miraculous phenomenon known as compound interest.

Calculate how much money you’ll need to save for a comfortable retirement, then create a realistic plan to put away the necessary amount each month. Better yet, automate the retirement savings transfer so you won’t even have to think about it.

Sort Through All the Paperwork

This is also an excellent time to get your financial documents organized and filed properly, so they will easy to access when you need them during the tax season. If you don’t have enough space to organize all of the paperwork, you can scan the documents like expense reports and receipts, and store them digitally. Please make sure that you create backups of those digital files, in case your computer/hard drive crashes.

Clear Out the Debt

If you have a high amount of debt or high-interest rates, create a plan to pay it all off as soon as you can. You can start with debt with the highest interest, and then start applying more each month to it until you are in the clear.

This may sound like easier said than done but with a good plan, it’s very much possible. Find a way to double down on your payments – this can mean reducing your expenses, asking for a promotion at work, or starting a side hustle or taking another, part-time job. Working is good, it’s healthy, and all the facts indicate this.

Save For A Rainy Day

The last couple of years have shown us that life is unpredictable and you never know when you might need to face a financial difficulty. Make sure you are always prepared for such a situation without having to fall behind on your mortgage/rent payments or take on more debt. Your goal should be to have at least 3 to 6 months of expenses saved up. Calculate an amount that you can set aside each month and automate that deduction.

Check Your Credit Report

A sunny credit score is that Holy Grail that can allow you to borrow money when you need it and get it lower interest rates. Take a thorough look at your full, yearly credit report to check if it has any errors. According to Federal Trade Commission, 5% of people have major errors on their credit report that can lead to loan application rejection, and 25% of people have some sort of minor errors.

Evaluate Your Monthly Budget

Take a good look at your spending habits of the last few months and make note of your spending habits. Have you been spending too much money for one category (say, dining out) and not enough for another (say, saving)? Where can you cut back?

If you want to save more or reduce your expenses in one area, create a realistic plan to make it happen. For example, use only cash for all of your spending needs; no checks, debit, or credit cards are allowed. And when you are planning for a vacation or a birthday party, come up with a budget for it and plan ahead, so you don’t overspend.

Evaluate Your W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Certificate)

Look at your W-4; you may want to withhold less taxes. If you generally receive a tax refund, it’s wise to consider having less tax withheld. Think about it – this money has been essentially handled by the government all year long when you could have invested it or used it to launch a business or added it to your emergency fund.

Use the IRS Tax Withholding Calculator to see if you can claim more allowances and have more money with each paycheck to save for emergencies. However, be careful, if you fail to withhold enough money, you will owe to the IRS which is never a perspicacious idea.

Money

6 Money-Saving Strategies to Retire Wealthy

by Benjamin Roussey|Posted on November 11, 2021 | 3 minute read | Advertiser notice

With all the chaos that comes with economic hardships, it can be challenging to plan long-term. For many people, it’s easy to save money when times are good but much harder when home prices are rising in states you may want to move to, fuel costs are increasing, wages are not keeping up, and jobs are at risk because of new policies.

When it comes to retirement, it’s essential to start thinking about your financial future while you’re still working. That way, when the time comes, you’ll be prepared for any bumps in the road. Here are some simple yet effective strategies that will help you save for a wealthy retirement:

Work on Your Spending Habits

Reviewing your recent spending history can help you determine where you’ve been overspending, so you can better identify the places to cut back. Study your bank and credit card statements.

Many banks and financial institutions offer sophisticated spending reports that can help you determine which costs you can reduce or eliminate. If you’re working with a financial advisor, they will be able to help you review your spending history in detail and come up with a plan for both saving more money and reducing your costs.

Save the Promotion Money

A decent raise means you can buy a little more each month. But if your salary is already much higher than average, avoid the temptation to make big purchases. Put any money from a raise in your retirement account, rather than spending it on a significant purchase that’s likely to depreciate or become obsolete faster than you can age your whisky. Bigger prizes require bigger paychecks.

Assuming your IRA is funded by a company-sponsored plan, you’ll owe income taxes on the money when it goes in, but not when you take it out – which is something to remember when one of those pesky TV commercials for luxury cars and other baubles comes on while you’re watching the game.

Make Retirement Investment Compulsory

As a busy working adult, you must take a proactive approach to your retirement. Don’t put off saving for the future. And once you’ve started contributing, it’s essential to do it automatically. Automated investing takes the guesswork out of how much you should be saving for retirement. You can have your retirement savings contributions withdrawn from each paycheck and deposited straight into your investment account with some services.

Diversify Your Investments

When you invest money in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, it is imperative not to put all your money in one place. Instead of putting most of your savings into one investment, diversify your portfolio by putting some money into various investment types.

If you don’t do this, you risk losing everything if the stock goes down in value. A way to reduce this risk is by using safer investments like high-interest savings accounts. These complement stocks and bonds well while also providing some serious returns on your savings.

Compromise on Your Brand Purchase

Sometimes it happens: you fall in love with a product and feel comfortable sticking to it. After all, you can’t really beat the luxury. But unfortunately for your wallet, brand loyalty can cost you money. And we don’t need to tell you that buying brand-name products can be expensive.

People often go for the brand name without considering the actual price versus the quality (or lack thereof) of what they’re buying. But in most cases, the brand you’re buying is overpriced. Of course, you can’t really beat the luxury of premium brands. But don’t forget that even when quality is comparable, the price tag isn’t always that way.

Make Use of Money-Saving Apps

Most budgeting advice starts with the necessity of tracking your spending. Your first instinct is to whip out a piece of paper and start scribbling down your expenses. And you might go beyond the bare-bones (like, $3-$4 coffee at Starbucks) and break down more details (“$2 Octane tea every other Monday”).

Most people lose steam here, though, because it’s too much data to process. An app makes this easier because you can track all your transactions in one place. No need to sweat over whether you should track cashback, too, and it can do the math for you if you want an even more detailed breakdown.

Many of these money apps worth downloading can make you more aware when you spend money, empower you to make smarter spending decisions and even give you the chance to save or invest something in the future.

Final Word

Your retirement savings may not be your most important financial goal, but having your retirement savings grow into a substantial nest egg is critical. The way you save for retirement is one of the most paramount decisions you will make.