For those of you who may have been wrapped up last week gearing up for the Oscars, take a look at these great money tips that
Real Simple featured in their March issue. They're concise, realistic, simple but thorough, and cover savvy issues like spending habits, savings goals, costly gas prices, retirement savings, budgeting, and developing a financial plan. Peruse them at your leisure, and then act with confidence when you've chosen which steps would help you worry less about your finances.
There are some parts of our financial lives that require more attention than others — saving for college or buying a home are two areas that can be a bit overwhelming to think about, not to mention begin tackling these goals. A financial plan can help you overcome this anxiety and Real Simple names needing one as the
sixth worry in its March issue feature. To read their recommendations for developing a financial plan just read more.
- Write down the names of three people you know and admire who are diligent about money: Ask them how they plan their finances and collect their practical advice.
While the act of creating a budget may not be the first thing you want to do with the little spare time you have, the effects of budgeting — like being able to take that long awaited vacation — are more than worth the little effort it actually takes to organize your spending. Real Simple lists needing a budget fifth in the
March issue's feature. To see the magazine's simple and useful tips for building a budget just read more
- Grab a blank notebook: Write down every penny you spend for a whole month so you know where your money is actually going.
- Take stock: At the month's end, categorize your spending in to basic categories (food, clothing, shelter, savings, etc) and divvy up your expenses.
- Play with the numbers: If there's a concert you want to go to next month, rearrange the numbers so that maybe you spend less on eating out to buy the tickets.
We've been chatting a lot about retirement around here and Real Simple seems to be on the same page. The fourth worry they name in
their March issue feature is not knowing how much to save for retirement.
I've already mentioned that specific retirement savings goals will vary from one person to another, but when you look at the big picture most have an ultimate goal of retiring comfortably.
Anyone that has a car — and even those of you who don't have a tank to fill up — knows that gas prices are frustratingly high and don't show signs of budging any time soon. Real Simple
lists worrying about high gas prices as number three in the
March issue's feature, and has some useful recommendations for those of you who don't have a super-green method for commuting to work and running errands.
