Individual Grants

How To Get Your Finances In Order

Do you have an interest in changing your financial situation for the better from now on? You have the power and ability to accomplish this, but it will require some research and knowledge. Luckily for you, the advice you will get here will help put you on the proper path.

Writing down the amount you spend each day can be helpful in understanding where you spend your money. However, if you document it somewhere you are never going to look, it will do you no good. Instead, try setting a full-size whiteboard in your bedroom or office to list your expenditures. When you see what you’re spending throughout the day, your finances will be on the forefront of your mind.

Every time you get a check, save some money from it immediately. Planning to save whatever is left after the month is over is not a good idea. If you know you the money is in savings, you will be less likely to try to spend it versus having the money in your account with the intention to save it and being unable to avoid the temptation.

Save Money

You could give homemade presents for Christmas to save money. You can save a lot of time and money, not to mention the fact that you will be creating something from your own hands, which can mean more than a store bought gift. By being a little creative you will save money, and have extra cash in your pocket for other things.

If you are below 21 years of age and looking for a credit card, know that there have been rule changes in recent years. Credit cards used to be given to those entering college freely. Now credit card companies want you to have a verifiable income or to get a cosigner. Make sure you’re well aware of what a card requires before you apply.

Always pay your monthly utility bills before they are due. Even late utility bill payments can harm your credit scores. In addition, you could incur a late fee, which would cost you more of your hard-earned cash. Late payments are not worth the additional fees and stress, so pay bill in a timely manner whenever possible.

Having read this article, you should be looking at finances from a different vantage point. You should now have the ability to restrain yourself from letting your finances get out of control. This will take some determination on your part, but the payoff of a sound financial footing will be well worth it.

There are tremendous opportunities for small businesses and social entrepreneurs to support their communities through community foundations, donor advised funds and other means of giving back. Find the neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon where you can make the most impact on the youth in the community.

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