Guest article provided by: etchinteriordesign.com Continue reading “Design-Build on a Budget” →

Many people are inspired by the idea of starting cleaning projects. We can open the windows of our homes and air things out. What’s more, outdoor spaces get cleaned and landscaping trimmed so we can enjoy the sunshine.

Just as keeping our house tidy is important, it’s also crucial that we “clean up” our financial affairs. Some may already follow a structured budget, tracking every expense and religiously balancing their checkbooks. Others wince when they check their ATM balances after the weekend. No matter how frugal and organized you may be, everyone can benefit from financial cleaning.

There are several simple and effective financial cleaning methods, from creating a budget and reigning in expenses to organizing paperwork and executing important legal documents. Here’s how to make an assessment of your financial situation and get busy making it shine.

Make this year the one in which you establish and stick to a budget

The most impactful financial planning tool is a budget. Far too many people spend whatever they have, without any regard to what they may need in the near or distant future. A budget optimally provides clear guidelines for spending, but even at a minimum, it provides knowledge and information. How much money have you spent on coffee this month? Do you even know? 

A budget helps identify income and expenses and is crucial in planning. If you have a shortfall each month, you will increasingly become in debt. Identifying potential shortfalls helps you form career goals and plan future purchases. A good first step to establishing a budget is to download a Google Sheets template. Take a look into some personal finance apps to take your budgeting to the next level. Apps such as MoneyLion, Mint and PocketGuard allow you to track and analyze your spending. Some online banking providers, such as Simple and Ally, provide trackable spending abilities as well. 

Get on top of your credit

Financial cleaning is an ideal opportunity to review your credit. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus each year. Many ignore this benefit, and either assume they have great or horrible credit. You may be surprised, so pull a copy of your report and check it over for accuracy. For a fee, you can also learn your credit score. Some credit card companies provide credit scores to their customers each month – check with yours to see if you have this option.

Clear up your tax situation

It’s important to make sure that you are withholding properly and maximizing deductions and credits. Take a moment to run withholding scenarios based on the previous year’s income amounts using the IRS’s online W4 calculator. 

Ultimately, financial health depends on knowledge. Through budgeting, tracking spending, and knowing your credit and tax situation, anyone can better control their finances.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Preparing for a baby is an exciting (and scary) time. The arrival of a new family member brings a lot of joy, but also increased responsibilities. Along with everything else you need to do to prepare, remember that planning your finances is vital. Raising a child is not cheap. In fact, it may even amount to almost a quarter of a million dollars, according to a recent report. Not planning ahead may create messy financial situations later, and if you’re already having troubles, things can easily spiral out of control, leading to anxiety and even depression. 

Here are some tips to get your finances in order as you get ready to welcome your child.

Review Your Work Benefits and Leave Policy

Figure out what kind of maternity/paternity leave your employer offers, and find out how much leave time you (and your partner) can get, and whether you will be paid during that time. Most companies offer benefits to children of employees. If both you and your spouse are working, assess the benefits to find out which package is most beneficial. 

Consider How You Will Pay for Daycare

The average cost for keeping one toddler in daycare is $600/month, though costs vary depending on where you live. Have a plan in place for the type and frequency of daytime care you’ll need, and determine whether your employee offers any daycare assistance. For example, they may offer a stipend to help pay for care or an in-house daycare for children of employees. Depending on your income level, you may also qualify for assistance from the Child Care and Development Fund, a government program that helps low income families cover child care costs.

Think Life Insurance

According to insurance experts, expectant parents should ideally insure themselves for approximately six to eight times the sum of the couple’s gross annual earnings. This can be a comfortable amount to support the new dependent. Take your time to shop around and review your options, making the final purchase in the last trimester of the pregnancy. 

Pay Off Debt

Giving a good start to your baby’s financial future means no looming debts with high interest rates, so plan your finances so you can pay off existing loans (or at least most of them) before the baby arrives.
Instead of risking the chance of sliding deeper into debt, cut back on your expenses and try to pay off any outstanding debt. 

Calculate A Post-Delivery Budget

Diapers, medicine, food, clothes, and other household expenses can sharply increase your spending, so factor in where you can make adjustments. To get an idea, calculate the cost of raising a kid based on where you live and how much you earn. Consider consulting a financial expert to determine if you qualify for any government benefits for children, subsidies, or tax breaks.

Baby costs can quickly spiral, and trying to tackle everything at once is likely to be overwhelming. Instead, use the time before the baby arrives to prioritize your financial planning, and have a budget in place so that a constant worry about money doesn’t dampen the experience of watching the joy of your life grow up. 

Photo via Pixabay