Tips for Taking Control of Your Finances
Maybe you’re struggling with debt, or perhaps you want to save up to buy a home but you never seem to have any cash left to put into savings. You may feel that you have more serious financial problems, such as falling behind on filing your taxes or other more complex or tangled issues. Finances can be a significant source of anxiety for many people, but it is possible to resolve even complicated problems and get a fresh financial start.
Face the Music
Many people end up with financial problems simply because their anxiety is so high that they start ignoring letters from their bank, creditors or the IRS. However, you can’t solve a problem if you don’t know its parameters. If you need to sit down with a trusted friend while you sift through paperwork or even book a few sessions with your therapist, it’s okay to do so. Your aim should be to find out the concrete facts of your situation, whether it is exactly how much money you owe to which creditors or how much you need to save toward your goals.
Work with Professionals
You might need to talk to a financial advisor, a certified public accountant, a tax attorney or another type of professional. In some cases, credit counseling can be helpful, but you need to tread carefully since some agencies may overcharge or push you into a debt management program you do not need. Both the federal and your state government have useful information on choosing a legitimate credit counselor. You should do your research and talk to friends about referrals before settling on any financial professional, but the good news is that the right one can save you significant time and money.
Make a Plan
Another piece of good news is that the hurdles you’ll face in this process actually get easier as you work your way through each step. You’ll probably feel a lot of relief once you have a clear picture of your situation, even if it’s a challenging one, and it can feel even better to start putting together a concrete plan to deal with your finances. You might make the plan on your own or with the help of a friend, family member or professional. This could involve creating a budget or working out a payment plan with creditors. Taking out a personal loan can be a good way to deal with debt if the interest rate is lower than the interest rate on the other type of debt. For example, credit card interest rates can be very high, so it can help you get credit card under control. The right personal loan could also help finance a big move or other endeavors, and you can get matched with loan options in less than 60 seconds online.
Build in Rewards
Getting your finances in order shouldn’t just be about slogging ahead with grim determination. You deserve rewards—-ideally low-cost or no-cost rewards—-for taking the first steps, sticking to your plan and meeting smaller goals along the way. Be sure to build these in along with your newfound financial discipline.
