10 Ways to Reset Your Finances Before 2021
2020 may have wreaked havoc on your finances. Here’s your roadmap to financial recovery in 2021.
The holidays can seem like open-season on your budget. Between all the travel, holiday shopping, and of course, your own beauty needs, it can get PRICEY! Staying on budget is always important, but even more so with all of the economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2020 may have been a year of setbacks on multiple fronts, and I think we are all looking forward to normalcy and dare I say fun, in 2021. The coming of the New Year also brings the chance to make some much needed financial adjustments! Here are 10 ways to make 2021 a better year for your finances, no matter how they were impacted by 2020.
10 Ways to Reset Your Finances Before 2021
1. Invest in Yourself
Your education is an investment that will pay dividends. You may have finished school years ago or still be in the thick of it, but you can always learn something new. It may be something that can help you earn money, like a photography class or professional certificate. But it can also just be something that enriches you as a person, improves your mindset, or keeps you inspired.
2. Start an investing fund
If you’ve been timid about investing, this time of year is perfect to start taking baby steps. I began regularly stashing funds in my brokerage account so I’m ready to buy stocks when I see an opportunity that can’t be missed. I automate $25 a week and that’s all! I know saving can be tricky and investing can be downright scary – especially in a pandemic induced recession. I started with an amount I was comfortable with, and so should you!
3. Start tracking your expenses
Have you ever looked at your bank account balance and wondered where all your money was going? I’ve definitely had several of those moments this year, even before losing my job due to covid. My husband and I did some serious financial reviewing earlier this year and decided to start meticulously tracking our spending and saving. I started an Excel spreadsheet with our fixed expenses (things like the mortgage and phone bill) and variable expenses (things that can be different every month, like groceries, travel, dining out, fitness, hair/beauty, etc). It was such an eye opening exercise!
Now every time we spend a dime, we log it in the spreadsheet and monitor our totals as we go. The most important thing about securing your financial future is to have control over your present! Start keeping a close watch on your transactions so you can then figure out how to adjust your budget or where you need to cut back.
4. Get ready for tax season
Tax season is dreadful, but also inevitable. Make it less of a hot mess by organizing your financial documents meticulously and finding a tax preparer or CPA that you trust. Organization is super important if you have a lot of miscellaneous income, like from side hustles or freelancing. And the best way to maximize your return is to work with an expert that can thoroughly review your financial situation and know what deductions you qualify for. I like to start the year with a clear picture of what my return or liability might be. If it looks like I’m likely to get a good return I’ll file early. But when you have a lot of income from blogging or other side hustles that doesn’t get taxed throughout the year you may be likely to owe. If that’s how it looks I’ll hold off on filing until the deadline so I have more time to get that payment ready.
5. Set Financial Intentions
One of the pillars of financial success is staying motivated and intentional as you go along your financial journey. Intention setting is similar to goal setting, but there is one key difference. Goal setting is all about deciding what you hope to accomplish. Intention setting is about your attitude and focus. Your financial goals may look something like “save X amount of money a week” while your intentions can be more about improving your relationship with money. Think of a few financial intentions that will add depth and focus to your financial journey.
6. Negotiate with Your Banks
Chances are you are paying way too much interest on your credit cards. The Fed has been slashing interest rates like crazy and you should be benefitting from that. Call your credit cards and negotiate lower interest rates – most will very quickly agree. And be sure to periodically request a credit line increase. You should NEVER be maxing your cards or getting credit line increases so you can overspend. But having a higher credit limit can be a big boost to your credit score, and that will come in handy for everything from opening new accounts to eventually buying a place.
7. Set Financial Goals and Milestones Along the Way
Setting financial goals is essential, but it can be intimidating or seem unrealistic. Try setting milestones to make your goals seem more attainable and keep yourself accountable. Instead of saying you want to save $1000 this year, try breaking that down to a monthly goal or a weekly goal. You can even create a bonus if you hit your target early! And be sure to leave time in your schedule to review your progress, make adjustments, and stay educated on your personal finances.
8. Cut Out the Financial Clutter
You’ve probably got something costing you money or tempting you to spend. Audit your accounts for recurring charges, magazine subscriptions, or any miscellaneous automatic deductions, even small ones. And think about eliminating things that make you want to spend. You don’t need daily emails from every retailer or department store!
9. Start a Side Hustle or Make Yours More Profitable
People have been raving about the need for multiple streams of income for years, and can you blame them! The events of 2020 have only reinforced that messaging. If you don’t already have a side hustle, think of something you love to do that could be monetized. It can be anything from at home hair styling services to digital consulting. If you already have a side business, think about ways you can level up and maximize your earnings. Your financial stability can depend on it!
10. Manage Your Savings and Retirement
Even though retirement for me is still 30 something years away, planning for it seems so relevant right now. Every time I turn on YouTube I hear someone talking about the FIRE movement or balancing your portfolio. If all of that seems intimidating and makes you want to shut your laptop down and run, consider bringing on a professional. If the DIY approach isn’t for you, consult with a financial advisor to get some expertise on a retirement strategy that will meet your goals. Whatever you do, don’t put off thinking about retirement until you are in your 50s!
2021 is only 1 month away. Hopefully the 10 things in this article will help you make 2021 your best financial year yet. No matter how hard 2020 may have hit your wallet, you can plan carefully and get a jumpstart on your 2021 finances and securing your financial future!
10 Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s & 30s
It’s almost the end of 2020, so you know what that means. Time to start seriously thinking about finances! This year has been a tough one and lots of people suffered financial setbacks due to covid. Hopefully 2021 is the year you get back on track! If you are recovering from a financial setback, or just want to learn more about managing you finances, I partnered with personal finance blogger Prisca Benson to share 10 Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s and 30s. Even if you are older (or younger) these tips will come in handy for anyone looking to take charge of their finances and get closer to hitting their financial goals!
10 Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s & 30s
Our inexperience as young people makes it easy to make mistakes that could make your financial journey more difficult than it has to be. Let’s take a look at 10 mistakes you could be making right now that you can fix.
You don’t have a money saving a routine
Automate, automate, automate. If you use direct deposit at your job, then divide your check between your checking account and your savings. Most jobs allow you to pick a certain percentage or amount to go to each account. Another option is scheduling bank transfers to occur on the same day you get paid. If your job makes a retirement account available to you, you can have them take a certain percentage or amount every check to invest. If your job doesn’t have one, then you can open an individual retirement account (IRA) and schedule transfers from your bank account to occur on the day you get paid. Automating your savings will help you reach your financial goals.
You don’t track your spending
I don’t know why this is not taught in high school. It’s fundamental to your financial success as an adult. If you do not track your spending, you are likely spending more than you think you are. You don’t have to examine each purchase individually as there are apps, like Mint, that categorize your expenses. This makes it easy to adjust your spending habits as you see fit so you can reach your financial goals.
You live above your means
It is tempting to buy a new car because the monthly payments are so reasonable. Or going shopping to get the exotic ingredients recommended for this fantastic recipe you saw made on Youtube. A new version of your phone is out so it’s definitely time for an upgrade. Treating a group of friends to a meal when you have credit card debt racked up. Who wants to look like they have limited funds? I’ve done every single one of these things before. Simply put, if you don’t control your money, then it controls you. You spend money on things just for the sake of spending it, instead of focusing that money on the things that matter to you.
You Spend More Money on Rent Than You Can Afford
For many, getting your own place is synonymous with adulthood. Some of us reach an age where we feel it’s childish to live at home and look for our dream place to live with little to no savings in the bank. It’s not long before your new home begins to feel like a burden. First, I encourage you to consider whether or not moving out is necessary. If it’s important for you to do so, try to build up 3-6 months’ worth of savings first. Secondly, find housing that is within your means. Remember, your necessary expenses should account for 50% or less of your income. If your income won’t make that possible, consider searching for something more in your price range or getting a roommate.
You Don’t Have a Budget
Budgets are usually perceived as restrictive. Yet, they are critical to your financial success. They can be as flexible or as strict with one as you would like. Let’s take, for example, the 50/30/20 rule. This says that 50% of your income should go towards necessary expenses, such as groceries, housing, transportation, child care, etc. 30% goes towards your wants, like shopping, eating out, etc. 20% goes towards your savings goals. To figure out how much you have to put in each category, multiply your take-home pay by the percentage of the category you are looking to address. You don’t have to stick to this rule. You can vary the percentages so that it fits your goals. But it is important that you have a guide aka a budget.
You Are Incurring Unnecessary Debt
Consumerism, especially in America, makes consumer debt so seemingly normal. Every commercial has an ad on how you can afford low monthly payments over a period of time. Every store you visit has its own credit card that encourages you to shop by giving you coupons and discounts. Credit cards can be used responsibly. This means paying each card in full by the time it is due every month, without cleaning out your bank accounts. While credit used responsibly is a great financial tool, it can become a trap if you don’t manage your spending.
Car dealership ads can easily convince you that you need the vehicle being advertised. Of course, you can afford it! There are sales, rebates, and discounts at every twist and turn that you might feel you’re missing out on even though there’s nothing wrong with the car you have.
While not all debt is avoidable, rather than let a brand decide your purchasing power, make that decision ahead of time. Consider your needs and look over your finances to see if taking on this debt will be manageable and realistic.
You Don’t Take Student Loans Seriously
More often than not, people consider school loans a necessary expense. As a result, some do not go out of their way to avoid or even reduce it. If you fail to count the cost of obtaining school loans, you may be overwhelmed by the monthly payments you face once the bill comes due. Instead, look into scholarships, grants, and community programs that can assist in reducing college costs. Some people stop searching for these opportunities once they start school but that is a mistake.
If you are working while in school, consider jobs that have tuition assistance as a benefit. Minimize cost by getting your education as cheaply as reasonable. If your plan includes a four year school, then this might include a plan to take community college courses for transferable credits.
Finally, make sure your degree is worth the cost. What will be your annual starting salary once you graduate? You can search online for this number on sites such as Salary.com. Ideally, you want to graduate with less debt than your presumed annual salary. For example, if you will make $60,000 a year once you graduate, you want to aim for $60,000 or less of student loans. This will make your payments manageable and get you further on the path of debt freedom.
You Don’t Have Friends That Inspire Your Growth
Simply put, you can’t progress in life if all the people you interact with are in the exact space in life as you are or behind you. This applies in all areas of life but we’re talking about finances here. If your friends are not working toward paying down debt, you also will not see the importance of it. If your friends shop at every department store sale, you are likely to go and buy things you don’t need. Even worse, if your friends think it is okay to make fun of you for doing the things you feel you have to progress on your path to improving your finances, then you will lose your motivation.
This doesn’t mean you should dump your best friend since elementary school because she’s irresponsible with money. It is said that you are the average of the people you spend the most time with. So diversify the people you surround yourself with. Find friends with similar financial goals at school, work, religious services, community events, etc. You can also find online communities, like Facebook groups, that connect you to like-minded people that encourage you to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
You Aren’t Investing Right Now!
It is said that the best time is to invest was yesterday. The next best time is today. Investing can be very intimidating to some. People find the concept difficult to understand or feel like you have to be well-off financially before you start. There are no rules or minimums to investing but to answer these concerns, many financial institutions are working hard to making investing knowledge accessible to all. You can start to invest with just $5 in some places. If one of the benefits of your job is a retirement account, then choose how much you want taken out of each paycheck to be invested. Investing is a long-term savings vehicle so don’t put money that you expect you will need in the next 5-10 years.
You Don’t Advocate for Yourself Financially
Have you ever called the bank after getting charged an overdraft fee to ask if they’ll reverse it? You ever call a credit card company to see if they’ll make a payment arrangement with you that’ll save you in interest and save your credit score? How about calling a medical office because the bill you received didn’t make sense? If you haven’t done any of these things before, then it is possible you missed out on an opportunity to put money back in your pocket. Knowing that most anything is negotiable is a powerful tool. Don’t just assume you are powerless to change your circumstances.
If you find yourself making one of these mistakes, don’t get discouraged. In order to make progress, it is important to identify where you are and where you want to be. Take the time to tackle these issues one at a time in order to get you on your way to a better financial future. You can do it! Want more specific, actionable tips? Head over to Our Green Life for more and follow us on Instagram!
About the Contributor - Prisca Benson
I’m a nurse by day, personal finance & health blogger by night. I love to empower people by teaching them ways they can take control of their lives. I do so by sharing my struggles and wins so as to inspire others to reach their goals, especially for people who are disadvantaged and underrepresented.
