Simple Ways to Become More Mature With Your Money

At first, broaching the topics of Individual retirement accounts, credit scores, and other stressful financial concerns can seem quite overwhelming. However, the sooner you start preparing for your future, the more prepared you can be when you’re older.

Do yourself a favor and start learning how to handle your finances now.  Not sure how to start managing your money wisely? Here are a few easy tips you can start with:

The first step you can take toward managing your finances is to create a budget that you can stick to. Sit down and make a list of all your monthly expenses, from housing and living expenses to recreational costs.

Then, do the math and figure out how much you can easily afford to spend in each category. Don’t be too strict or you might set yourself up for failure. For instance, if you only budget $50 a week for food but you regularly spend three times that amount, you’ll struggle to reel in your expenses. Pick a number that seems doable and start paying attention to how much you over or under-spend in each category.

If you aren’t confident in your ability to create a comprehensive budget on your own, consider using an online app. It’ll help you figure out a monthly budget and monitor your spending on a regular basis.

After you have established a budget, you’ll need to start tracking how accurately your spending reflects your new monetary plan. That doesn’t mean ball parking how much you think you’ve spent.

Use an app or begin writing everything down to start recording every dollar that leaves your wallet. You might be surprised to see how fast your money leaves you, and the tracking will help you tweak your budget until it’s perfect.

If you’re not careful, it’s easy to stumble into the dangerous rabbit hole of credit card debt–and you can spend a long time repairing your credit. Credit card companies typically have high interest rates, and before you know it, a fairly low outstanding balance can evolve into a seriously heavy burden.

Therefore, use credit cards to earn points and build a healthy credit report, but don’t go overboard. Only rack up charges if you can afford to pay them off on your next statement. The average American household has $16,000 in credit card debt, which can land you in a very stressful situation. Avoid this common pitfall by paying off your statement in full as quickly and as often as possible.

Speaking of credit cards, don’t forget to keep up with your current credit score. If your score has taken a hit over the years, it can have a serious impact on your ability to obtain loans or even rent an apartment.

Figure out what your score is and how you can improve it. Also, monitor your credit checks to make sure no one else is attempting to open accounts or spend money in your name. People’s scores have taken serious hits because someone else stole their information, so stay up to date on your credit accounts to protect yourself.

Shopping for clothing and other “fun” items doesn’t have to be a guilt-inducing activity, if you can be smart about how you do it. Avoid paying full-price for items by shopping small retailers, clearance racks, and bargain bins. Monitor your budget closely and only shop for things you will use frequently.

For example, when it comes to buying shoes–try and get a pair that you can wear as often as possible. Adidas sneakers have become more popular in recent years, and they can be worn with just about any outfit.

Although it might seem tempting to live paycheck to paycheck, doing so can land you in a sticky situation when unexpected expenses pop up. According to recent surveys, 26 percent of American adults have absolutely no savings to rely on during desperate situations. Prepare for emergencies by contributing to a savings account every time you get paid.

Start saving as soon as you can and as much as you can–and don’t assume you will always have money if disaster strikes. For example, if you’re hurt on the job–you may be covered by workers compensation, but what you might not realize is that your case could land you in court with a lawyer.

If you always seem to come up short when it’s time to put the rest of your paycheck into savings, set up an automatic monthly deposit so the money will already be squirreled away for the future.

No one becomes a financial wizard overnight. It can take months or even years to feel like you have a firm grasp on your money situation. Start by monitoring your spending, budgeting, and savings–then start tackling any outstanding debt.

You should also work on buffing up your credit score and building an emergency fund. Prepare for the future as much as you can and be smart about your spending habits, and before you know it, you’ll be ready to start looking into IRA accounts and investments. Breathe, and remember that every step toward a more financially secure future is a worthwhile one.