Right now, it seems like everyone is in a bit of a panic when it comes to their finances. We have been through an incredibly tough couple of years. People who have launched a new business have entered a turbulent and uncertain marketplace, and indeed many businesses have been forced to close. Employees have spent months wondering if they may be facing redundancy, and many have had to find new places to work. We have seen rising prices everywhere from the property market to the gas pumps. In short, there cannot be many people out there right now whose savings accounts are looking as healthy as they did back in January 2020.
However, things are starting to turn the corner and now that spring is here, it is time to get into some better habits, learn how to spend our money smarter, and start saving for the future again. It does not matter whether you are just getting on the career ladder, have just started your own company, or are thinking about how to build the best pension for yourself. We could all use a little help when it comes to our finances. Here are a few tips to help you this spring.
Get Control Of Your Budget Back
When things are tough, it is all too easy to start panicking about how much we are spending. There is nothing worse than checking your bank account a couple of weeks before payday and realising that you simply do not have enough to make things work. If you have been struggling to keep tabs on your money, then it is time to take back control.
Start by sitting down with your accounts from the last couple of months. Really get to grips with it and go through every single transaction. Make sure that you can account for each one, from your mortgage payments to those Friday night drinks with friends. Once you better understand your monthly spending habits, you can identify what can be changed and what needs to be protected. There are always going to be costs that you can cut but try to avoid rushing into it. Instead, make a detailed list and think carefully about how removing them would impact your life.
Take Charge Of Your Debt
Debt can be one of the most stressful factors in our daily lives. Indeed, studies have shown that worries about debt are one of the biggest causes of mental health and anxiety issues. One of the main reasons why so many of us start to struggle with debt is when we start to take on several different loans and repayments. Once we lose track of how much we owe, who we owe it to, and when it needs to be repaid, things can go south quickly.
It may seem insurmountable, but there are several different methods that you can take to make your debt repayments more manageable. You could start by paying off your smaller debts first to reduce the number of outstanding repayments. Alternatively, you could look at services which with collate your debt for you. Above all, you must make sure that you are paying off your debts on time. Remember that any missed payments will be recorded on your credit score, which could make things like applying for a mortgage in the future very difficult.
Be Smart With Buying Property
The property market has been one of the biggest stories of the last couple of years. Prices have been going up and up, and the cause may not be as simple as pure inflation. Right now, the experts are predicting that the market will cool off at some point, but it is not exactly clear when that will be. Investing in property has long been held as one of the smartest things that you can do with your money, but that depends entirely on whether the value of your property is going to climb. There is no guarantee that your house or apartment will be worth more than you paid for it in a couple of years, so you need to make sure that you are being sensible.
Do your research on the area to find out why the house you are looking at is so affordable. Always pay for independent surveyors to go over a property with a fine-toothed comb to make sure that you will not be paying through the nose on repairs and upgrades after the sale has been completed. Above all, make sure that you can actually afford the property you are buying. Go through any mortgage and home loan agreement carefully to understand exactly what you are going to be liable for in terms of interest and repayment dates. You do not want to run the risk of facing foreclosure.
Learn More About Cryptocurrency
With each passing week, we are seeing cryptocurrency trading becoming more and more mainstream. We have come a long way from the days when people thought that crypto was the sole preserve of people who worked in the computer industry. These days, everyone from big business leaders to online craft stores are dealing in crypto. If you have yet to dip your toe into these waters, then you have some ground to catch up. The first thing to remember is that the cryptocurrency markets can be extremely volatile. That means that you can make a lot of money by investing in crypto, but you need to do your research, and you need to keep your wits about you.
Make sure that you find a reputable exchange that fits your expertise level (for example, some exchanges are geared towards cryptocurrency veterans whereas others are more for beginners). Invest in a hot and a cold wallet to protect your coins when you are trading and when you are offline. You should also think about looking at all the different available currencies.
The world of cryptocurrency is so much bigger than Bitcoin. For example, for a long time, Dogecoin was something of a joke, but back in 2021 it was valued north of $90 billion. Unlike Bitcoin, there is no limit to how much Dogecoin can be mined, and you can find it on most exchanges. If you want to find out more about how to buy Dogecoin in Canada, then visit Wealthsimple. Wealthsimple has broken down the history of Dogecoin and how you can invest in it. They have a wealth of resources to help you to understand more about cryptocurrency and their products can help with everything from investments to taxes.
Don’t Skimp On Insurance
Right now, most people are looking for ways that they can cut down on their outgoing costs. But some expenses are always going to be worth paying for, and insurance is one of those. Now, most of us will have the essentials, but a couple of options may have passed you by. For example, income protection insurance can keep you covered if you lose your job due to illness, injury, or redundancy.
That could keep you afloat for a month or two while you find something else or make other arrangements. It is also vitally important that you make sure that the information on your insurance policies is all up to date. If you are missing any key facts or recent updates, then your policy provider could decide that your claim is invalid.
Start Saving For Your Retirement Now
If you ask any financial expert when you should start saving for your retirement, then they will almost certainly tell you that you should have started five years ago. The truth is that most of us do not start thinking about a pension plan until we are at least in our thirties, if not later. Given how chaotic the job market has been and how punishing some of the rising costs have been, it would hardly be surprising if your savings goals have taken a backseat to simply getting to the end of the month.
However, anything that you can put aside for the future is going to help. Look at what your employer offers and take advantage of any pension incentives that they offer, such as a contribution matching scheme.
When it comes to making bigger investments, it is always a good idea to do as much research as possible before you commit any of your money. The stock market has been turbulent to say the least over the last couple of years, so it makes sense to spread your investment over several different options.
You also need to be very careful if you are investing your retirement money in any business or start-ups. There has been a huge rise in cybercrime in recent months, and people being swindled out of their pensions has been a huge part of that. Always do your due diligence because once that money is gone, you may not be able to get it back.
