The new year marks a new financial year with most individuals bearing hope and determination of making it a more financially successful year compared to 2017.
Achieving financial targets is based on effective strategies and application of the right tools in consideration to time hence making the right investments, savings, withdrawals, and loan application, among others at the most convenient time.
Choosing the right tools might be a tiresome and confusing affair, as some individuals get disappointed after making an inappropriate financial decision.
Don’t worry! We’ve listed 10 of the most effective tools to help you improve your finances in 2018.
1. Instantly Clear Your December Bills and Debts
A new financial status is greatly dependent on your last year’s financial expenditure.
The past December holidays have been one of the times that families have deeply dug in their finances, including savings and credit cards for family shopping, travel, and enjoyment.
Calculate your debts through: https://tools.doughroller.net/debt-snowball-calculator/, and set a goal of immediately clearing the debt to prevent an increase in debts interest rates.
2. Scrutinize Your Investments
With the end of 2017, there are numerous changes in the market that directly affect the stock exchange, directly affecting organizations where you might have investments.
You should rebalance and review to make sure changes in stock investments are still in line with your financial needs and risks. You can get in-depth stock exchange information through professional CPA advisors and finance journals.
3. Evaluate Necessary Insurance Coverage
This includes majorly home and car insurances. A common trend is an increase specifically in automobile insurance rate yearly.
You should consider your current assets that require insurance and their asset values and elimination of unnecessary features that might be costing you unnecessarily.
Going for a new insurance company may help, or at least checking the competition.
4. Invest in Retirement and 401(k) Plan
A new year puts you one year closer to retirement.
This year is a perfect year for investing in retirement accounts if you have never thought about it.
Instead of wasting your extra money on unnecessary expenditure, you should consider your Individual Retirement Account/401(k) and enlarge your contribution to an effective and strategic expenditure.
5. Audit Your Beneficiaries
As a family member, changes randomly occur during the year.
These may include expecting or having a new child, cases of divorce, and even deaths.
As the new year unfolds, it’s wise to consider the current beneficiaries and make necessary adjustment concerning your finances for effective coverage.
6. Formulate Your 2018 Budget
Consider coming up with a budget that involves expected changes such as salary increases or decreases, and your daily fixed expenses such as housing, transport, food, and health.
You might change the previous year’s budget and adopt new changes, such as eliminating behavior that led to unnecessary expenditure. This would obviously enhance saving and progress towards achieving your financial goals.
7. List Your Financial Goals and Get a Budget Buddy
Most individuals’ resolutions involve long lists of goals.
Just listing isn’t enough. It requires hard work, patience and probably a partner.
A budget buddy might involve your spouse, friend, or family member with a common interest for your own good.
They’ll help you stay on track and not lose hope.
8. Enhance Your Financial Literacy
Read financial article and watch the financial news for an effective update on changes in the world of finances.
Don’t base every investment decision on random news updates, but it’s good to know what’s going on.
Financial literacy helps you plan your investments and expenditure through informed avenues and adequate time.
9. Invest in Side Businesses
This improves your job security and increases your income sources.
For example, you may convert your passion of art into a business by offering art drawings and paintings to friends and neighboring community members through online marketing or other platforms.
10. Invest in Effective Finance Technologies
These include apps that show you the country’s economy or breaking financial news of interest.
They also act as an automated reminder of certain financial deadlines and goals that you plan to achieve.
Final Words
To sum it up, 2018 is a new year. You should consider making those financial breakthroughs that 2017 couldn’t allow.
This is achievable through clearing debts & bills, evaluating one’s investments, beneficiaries, budget, and goals, but don’t stop there!
Getting a budget buddy, improving your financial literacy through apps and software, and investing in outside sources of income are some of the effective tools to having a successful financial 2018.
Here’s to a new year, and a better financial life.