We all have money questions: How do I set myself up for the future? How can I save when I have debt? What the heck are variable expenses?!
Starting today and through the month of April (aka Financial Literacy Month) – we’ll be sharing financial resources that can make a difference in three areas of your personal finances: saving, budgeting, and paying bills on time.
So let’s talk money. Make this the year you say goodbye to money stress.
The savings rate is at an all-time low; 40% of American adults can’t cover an unexpected $400 expense. Money savings experts recommend aiming to set $1,000 aside in an emergency fund.
Tip: giving up little things like cable and dining out makes a big difference.
Planning ahead kickstarts saving money. Prep for grocery shopping to avoid impulse buying, map out purchases (and time them to sales), and set savings goals. For a quick change with a big impact, cancel unnecessary subscriptions. But the #1 tip: use an automated tool that takes the work out of saving. (And here’s where Even’s got you covered. Save automatically from your paycheck.)
Everyone can become a saver with these five simple steps:
#1. Make saving automatic. Funnel parts of your paycheck directly to savings.
#2. Think of saving as a habit, something you do every day.
#3. Start small. Savings can be any amount, even a dollar.
#4. Avoid lifestyle creep. The more money you make, the more money you’re likely to spend.
Tip: try following the 30/40/30 rule. 30% of new income goes to the past (debt), 40% goes to the present (regular expenses), 30% goes to the future (savings).
#5. Think of paying down debt as a kind of saving. When you have less debt, you have more money to use on expenses and saving.
Sixty percent of Americans don’t use a budget. And one in 10 say they’re not sure how to make one. If you’re new to building a budget, keep it simple to start: figure out how much you spend on monthly expenses and subtract it from your monthly income. In the red? Time to make adjustments.
A budget is the cornerstone of any long-term financial plan — and not just for women. Step one: identify the goals for every financial account you’ve got. Then stay focused on those goals. Talk with your friends about how they approach planning.
Make a detailed budget in 6 steps:
#1. Gather your financial documents.
#2. Calculate your income.
#3. List your monthly expenses.
#4. Determine fixed and variable expenses.
#5. Total everything up
#6. Project your expenses and income into the future, and make adjustments to spending as you go.
Paying bills on time has major positive ripple effects: it increases your credit score, your chance of owning a home, and even landing a job. You’ll eliminate late fees and extra finance charges and get access to lower interest rates. Some creditors even offer “pay on time bonuses.”
Sometimes you just can’t pay. Then what? There is almost always something you can do to mediate the impact of a missed payment. If it’s a utility bill: negotiate a payment plan or ask about emergency assistance. If it’s a credit card bill: talk to your card issuer about financial hardship programs. If you can’t cover them all, pay down bills with the highest interest first. (Remember you can also get paid early with Even. No hidden interest or “gotcha” fees.)
Staying debt-free starts with understanding your “pay-it-off” style: avalanche (pay off low balances first, if you’re someone who thrives on seeing quick wins) or snowball (paying off high-interest accounts first, if you’re someone with multiple high-interest debts). No matter what, know that it’ll feel hard — but a little “suffering” now will help you stay out of debt in the future. When you come into extra cash – like a tax refund — save it for a rainy day.
As we head into Financial Literacy Month and continue exploring these key pillars, remember that the Even app was designed to give members the tools they need to enhance their financial wellbeing.
Get paid early, and quickly, to cover those bills, save automatically from your paycheck, and budget easily with a personalized snapshot of what’s okay to spend. Let Even do the work for you.
*Demand Deposit Account issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.