Frugal Personal Finance Management

The idea behind a long-term management strategy is to ensure that you have something to fall back on and have something for the future. A key approach to this is making changes now and in how you save. A regular savings program as early as possible, no matter how small the amount, will get you started and will increase gradually and then dramatically, accelerated by compound interest that grows month after month and year after year. When starting it’s best to plan your long-term savings as an isolated account, for it to be away from the savings for other goals and purchases, like when you save for a vacation or plan to buy a new home appliance.

Never touch the long-term savings, don’t fall prey to that itching when you grow enough money you easily get tempted to use it to fund a big purchase. Your long-term savings is your life savings, don’t even use it to buy a car or a house. And don’t try to take out a loan if you feel like you’ll probably reach in your life savings if you’re in a bind. This is why you need to isolate your life savings away from all other savings that you plan to make, so simply put up another savings until you make the purchase you want without so much as a cent removed from your life savings.

When it comes to money and finances, there are three kinds of people in the world: Those who spend beyond their means, those who spend what they actually have, and the rare few that spend less than their means. We can obviously see who wins in the end, and you want to be part of the very few people that spend less. Most of those in that category started in the second category, spending only what they actually have. The best way to shift into this category is to search for good opportunities that will allow you to build you savings higher. This means lessening unexpected purchases and try to apply more frugal ways for you to manage your money and let it grow to its full potential. Here are some popular tips to encourage you to be mindful of your spending and what you are spending on.

They say that the most expensive miles on a car is the first 10,000. Buying a used car instead of a new one will save you a lot of money. Listen, it’s just miles… and so what if you don’t get if the used car doesn’t have brand new paint job and doesn’t smell of new leather? It’s time to practice frugality and discipline. A used but solid and well-maintained car will do the same job as the new car, without the hefty price tag on it. And if you can, just ditch the plan of buying a car in the first place. Get a bike, that way you don’t have to shell money out for weekly gasoline, for parking fees or paying that annoying ticket.

Stop following the trends. The latest clothes of the season or the latest technology gadget of the year is your worst enemy when it comes to saving. Be merciful with your money, you are actually on the losing end if you buy items hot off the press. Wait until the buzz has died down, and then wait another extra month or two. You’ll find that the price has gone down and you’ll get offered the best discounts, too.

When finding a good bank, ask around your circle of friends a recommended bank that’s known for their no-minimum balance and no banking fees. The no-minimum balance will help you start small and gradually build your money bigger. A bank that has a no-minimum balance is more likely to understand your need to get the best out of your money than a bank that requires a huge opening deposit. Banking fees are a nightmare, especially if they have fees for checking, withdrawing and what not. Find a reputable bank that fits you.

Don’t buy into the trick of that ‘extended warranty’. More often your product already has a warranty ranging from 90 to 1 year. Remember that when the product is defective, it will more likely that it will surface within the month or the year. Also, when you’ve had a service for a couple of years, chances are there’s something new out there that can offer you better and cheaper services.

And for all-around frugal ways to save money, search the Internet for a great resource to saving money in you household, saving tips for energy efficiency and more ways of keeping a tight reign to your budget.

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