Ten Basic Rules of Money Management
Below are ten basic rules that can help you to better manage your money:
Plan - Plan for the future, major purchases, and periodic expenses.
Set Financial Goals - Determine short, mid, and long range financial goals.
Save - Save for periodic expenses, such as car and home maintenance. Save 5 - 10% of your net income. Accumulate 3-6 months salary in an emergency fund.
Know Your Financial Situation - Determine monthly living expenses, periodic expenses, and monthly debt payments. Compare the outgo to your monthly net income. Be aware of your total indebtedness.
Develop a Realistic Budget - Follow your budget as closely as possible. Evaluate your budget. Compare actual expenses to planned expenses.
Keep a Record of Daily Expenditures - Be aware of where your money is going. Use a spending diary to assist you in identifying where adjustments need to be made.
Distinguish the Difference Between Wants and Needs - Take care of your needs first. Money should be spent for “wants” only after “needs” have been met.
Don’t Allow Expenses to Exceed Your Income - Avoiding paying only the minimum on your charge cards. Don’t charge more every month than you are paying to your creditors.
Use Credit Wisely - Use credit for safety, convenience, and planned purchases. Determine the amount that you can comfortably afford to purchase on credit. Don’t allow your credit payments to exceed 20% of your net income. Avoid borrowing from one creditor to pay another.
Pay Your Bills on Time - Maintain a good credit rating. If you are unable to pay your bills as agreed, contact your creditors and explain the situation. If the problem becomes serious, contact Consumer Credit Counseling for professional advice and assistance.
© 2010 Burbank City Federal Credit Union.
Member's accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) at least $250,000.
