You want to make more money? Start thinking about it more often. Not what you would do if you had it, but what you are willing to do to get it.
In a difficult period for your finances, you need very good organization in order not to lose the… bill. Check out some tips that will get you in order. We start with the fact that it is very important to be able to focus yourself on how you spend your money in order to get to how you will save money.
Respect the List and look for the best offer
There is no person, family or business that does not have a list in which they record planned expenses, whether we are talking about the next month or the next year. Therefore, by carefully examining this list, each interested party (in our case, you) can discover real opportunities to improve their finances “without blood”. For example, if we are talking about the weekly supermarket expenses, try to “fill your basket” (sic) with so-called private label products or buy “in advance” in large quantities products that are on sale (at least for items that do not have an expiration date).
Alternatively, you can even change the supermarket you shop at (or supplier, if we’re talking about a business) if in the meantime you spot one that has better prices on the items you’re interested in. Write down your financial goals and try to achieve them. Accomplishing a goal in 12 years instead of 10 is much better than not accomplishing it at all. Create a financial plan and seek the help of a professional.
Start saving immediately
Things are simple: The only way to definitely save some money is by saving systematically. That is, including saving in your daily life as a routine. How will you do it? Like you did with brushing your teeth or shaving (well, we don’t swear by that last one…). You may start with your paystubs. Alternatively, try at least once a week to put aside what you can, depending on your financial capacity. A thousand euros is a savings, ten euros is a savings… Pay yourself first. You owe it to yourself. When you get paid, your first payment should be for… your savings. Whatever your salary and obligations, always try to save at least 10% of your salary, so that you can later cope with even more difficult times.
So, after you have done all this trouble: a) Make sure that you do not have immediate access to the money you collect, so as not to be tempted to spend it in a moment of weakness (place it, say, in a bank account that is not linked to a credit or debit card). b) Promise yourself that you will only use these savings to acquire or do something that costs a lot and that you really want.
Put your mind to work
You want to make more money? Start thinking about it more often. Not what you would do if you had it, but what you are willing to do to get it. As with most things in life, the solution to your financial problems may be right under your nose, as they say, and you just haven’t smelled it yet.
When you have implemented all (or at least some of) the above, the next thing you should do is start thinking more creatively and – why not? – more unorthodox, and write down the ideas that you think will bring you money. Talk about them with people “on the ground”, inform, prepare and prepare the ground for their implementation. Always with plenty of patience and even more persistence.
Check your charges
Check your charges on your phone bill. Are you being charged for some services that you don’t use very often and could cut, such as caller ID, call waiting, voicemail? If you have credit cards, personal loans, or other such debts, you need to start a plan to pay them off. Make a list of your debts and put them in such order that the debt with the smallest balance is first, and the one with the largest balance is last. Then focus on the first debt, putting as much money as you can into it, even if it’s only an extra €40-50 (more would be better). When that debt is paid off, celebrate! Then take the total amount you paid (let’s say 70€ the minimum payment plus 50€ extra, it makes 120€ in total), and add it to the minimum payment of the next debt on your list. Continue this process, with the extra amount snowballing into the next, until you’ve paid off all your debts. This may take some years, but this process is worth your efforts, and it is very necessary. It’s actually called a debt avalanche.
Avoid using expensive services
Avoid using expensive services that charge and you will find that you have already saved a lot of money. Choose a plan that really meets your needs with reduced prices for the hours and days you use your phone, e.g. family packages, packages for calls abroad, business tariff (if you have the option), call to specific mobiles, etc.
Build an emergency fund
Aim to cover 3-6 months of the money you need to live on with your savings. This money will be a real emergency fund in case you lose your job or have to make any other necessary expenses.
Use the folder system
This is a simple system to keep track of how much money you have to spend. Let’s say you set aside three amounts in your budget every time you get paid – one for gas, one for groceries, and one for eating out. Take these amounts out of the bank every time you get paid, and put them in three separate envelopes. This way, you can easily know how much you have left for each of these expenses, and when you run out of money you know immediately. You don’t spend more than you have to in these categories. If you consistently run out too quickly, you may need to reconsider your budget. It works also as a payroll documentation for self employed.
Invest in your future
Upgrade your skills by taking a course or creating a retirement plan. If you can’t do it all, save for your retirement first.
