When we go to school, we learn math, chemistry, Spanish, and even sports, but nobody teaches us to manage personal finances. We left there to face the economy alone without any basis to help us prepare. That is why many people end up in debt, without savings, or sacrificing their time more and more to pay their expenses. If you don’t want your finances to hang you, then take the advice in the following manual that we have prepared for you.
# 1 It is never too late or too early to devote to your finances
Young people tend to think that they will be young forever, forget about saving, and prefer to squander. And getting accounts and calculations is something that older people do. On the other hand, debts have accumulated when they are already entering a more advanced age, and the energy to undertake new things is gone. And they think they should have started to manage in their youth.
Both are wrong. You can learn to manage your finances at any stage of your life. You need to dedicate time periodically and follow the movements indicated by the numbers. That will give you a better quality of life in the economic aspect, in the short, medium, and long term.
# 2 Take a couple of minutes a week to evaluate your finances
Managing your finances is a good habit that you should get used to doing without fail. Good athletes train regularly, economically successful men, manage their finances regularly too. It is not a matter of innate talent; it is discipline and perseverance.
If you have no idea what you should do, it is vital to learn about economics and finance. Books for newbies like those of Robert Kiyosaki or Adina Chelminsky are good beginnings. In general, what you should do in principle is to evaluate your equity and your cash flow.
How to calculate your equity?
First, add all the capital of your assets: Cash or accounts, investments, properties, inheritances, etc. Then to that sum, you subtract your liabilities: loans, credits, debts on credit cards, etc. The total will help you realize what your economic situation is. The higher the number, the better. If the account is negative or fair, there are problems to address.
Then it is crucial to evaluate what your monthly income and expenses are. Gather the bill for all your costs, including the coffee you had with your friend and the parking ticket. And lend it to your total monthly income. That will give you an exact idea of how you make your money and how you could save more and make better use of it.
# 3 Eliminate your debts little by little
The first piece of advice would be not to borrow. It is better to acquire the things you want when you have enough capital to pay cash. However, if you are spending more than you have and deliver it in installments, then it is best to stop the vice and find a way to pay off the debts you already have as soon as possible.
Use bonuses, salary increases, inheritances, year-end savings funds, or any additional capital you receive to pay off your debts faster. If your debt situation is very precarious, contact your creditors, let them know your actual position, and be realistic about the amount you can pay monthly. It is better to be honest, and let them help you pay than lie and save your finances more. And for the next time you have the urge to borrow, remember this: Money should work for you, not you for him.
# 4 Learn to budget for your expenses
If the money does not yield to you to pay your needs until the next time you receive your salary, you must learn not to waste your money.
For example: Let’s say you receive 100 coins monthly, and you need 20 to pay your rent, 20 for debts, 5 for services. That leaves you with a total of 55 coins for the rest and 45 that you must reserve only for those expenses. Consider having a reserve of 10% of that percentage to save and another 10% for emergencies. You already have 44 coins left. Divide that money into 4; I would give you a total of 11 coins for your food expenses and tastes per week.
Do you realize the utility of budgeting? It can be further subdivided according to your needs. So even if you have 100 coins in your pocket, you will know that when you make your market of the week, you cannot spend 11 coins or less.
You should consider your actual expenses, and you can make adjustments in the percentage of savings or include a portion for investments if possible.
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