Making Money WORK!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 7:00AM ***FYI this blog post should not be considered financial authority. Do your own research and do what's best for you. AKA, it's not my fault if you do something wild and crazy with your dollars. Don't sue me, 'kay?***
Money management can be, shall we say... EXCITING! Especially when you have a lot going on. For instance, I am in full-force save-o-rific mode. My picket fence is happening within the year (hopefully) and I need the dollars to pay for that picket fence. Hopefully with a finished basement and jacuzzi included.
I've always been decent with money, mainly because I have no shopping compulsions. Those impulse buy kiosks loaded up with candy and soda at the checkout desk? No problemo, mi amor. I excel at saying no to spending money. Sometimes it involves hightailing it out of Anthropologie before I spend my paycheck, but hey, whatever works.
Recently, I've started researching how to earn an A+ in saving money for my (hopefully) fast-approaching home o' my very own... and I've found two resources that have helped me tremendously. First off... I joined Mint.com.
For the last year, i struggled with Quicken. Hated it. Too discombobulated. I wanted something that could bring all my accounts together into an overview that made sense. Quicken is no good at that. I make good financial choices, but I don't do money-speak. I think Quicken is better for peeps who have a slightly higher level of financial sophistication. Mint helps me see in 10 seconds where my money is going. For instance, I saw right away that I do a great job at NOT spending too much on clothes, but... I clearly go out to eat too much. Most of my budget was going to restaurants, soooo now I know that's an area I need to work a bit on .
My second new resource: My friend Suze.
My sister Tweets was Suze one year for Halloween, and I can tell you right now that she's thanking her lucky stars she doesn't have those photos uploaded to Facebook. Otherwise... we'd all be having a laugh at her expense. :)
I really love anything Suze does. She's REALLY REALLY ENERGETIC! I love her. She has these kits that are fantastic, too. My FICO score is A-delicious, but I have a friend that used her FICO kit with outstanding results.
When it comes to savings, I find that the MOST important rule is to be consistent - pick a savings account with a good interest rate and pay yourself first every payday. Treat savings like a bill you need to pay.
Now you've met some of my secret weapons... what are YOUR best money tips?
Reader Comments (3)
Great post! I love mint.com like its my momma, and Suze's books have been on my wish list for ages! Rounding up all purchases in a personal check register can be a great savings mechanism, as are auto-deposits to savings. Sending good picket fence mojo your way, sister!
Great Post!!!!
I absolutely LOVE Suze Orman. My fiance and I DVR her show every week. She cracks me up, and I think she's half-crazy, but when it comes to money she knows her s**t!