iQuanti: While inflation and the possibility of an economic recession have many Americans on edge about their finances, you don't have to live in uncertainty. From long-term savings to having an online line of credit, there are several steps you can take to bring matters into your own hands and increase your overall financial security. Here are five practical tips to start using today:
1. Plan your purchases
One helpful way for a person of any income level to take control of their household finances is to plan their purchases ahead of time. Essentially, this is making a budget, but it's not "budgeting" in the traditional sense where the process starts with looking for expenses to cut. Instead, begin by making a list of all the things you either have to or want to spend your money on. When people approach budgeting from this angle, it makes them feel more empowered about the decisions they're making and where their money is going.
2. Build up your emergency savings
Each year, the major media outlets will publish data suggesting that over half of Americans are effectively living paycheck to paycheck and couldn't handle a surprise expense of $1,000 or greater if it were to appear. This is unfortunate because when faced with such a bill and no means to cover it, many people turn to high-interest debt.
To save yourself from this situation, financial experts recommended having an emergency fund in place. Emergency funds are cash reserves equal to three to six times your monthly expenses. Having a buffer such as this not only enables you to handle unforeseen expenses but also can make you feel less stressed.
3. Invest for the future
Similar to having an emergency fund, saving your money for long-term goals like retirement can also be an additional layer of security for your household finances. Though you may not have any intentions to ever dip in your 401k or IRA, it's nice to know that these resources are available in case the worst were to happen. On top of that, having long-term savings also gives you confidence that you'll actually be able to successfully retire someday.
4. Maintain a good credit score
It's important to remember that your overall financial picture is bigger than just how much money you have in the bank. Your ability to get access to new funding such as loans and credit lines will also be equally critical. And for this, you'll need to keep your credit score as high as possible.
Thankfully, getting a good credit score isn't as tricky as you might think. Simple actions like consistently paying your bills on time, in full, and keeping your spending to a minimum will all help to keep you looking creditworthy to potential lenders.
5. Get an online line of credit
Speaking of credit, another way to increase your confidence is to partner with a line of credit from a reputable online platform. Online lines of credit give people the money they need at their discretion. This can be a great option for people who are just getting started or who need a supplement while they're building their own personal emergency fund.
The bottom line
In these uncertain economic times, you don't have to live in financial fear. Take control of your money by planning out your budget, building up an emergency fund, and investing for the long term. Additionally, remember to work on getting a good credit score and opening an online line of credit just in case you need extra funds.
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Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
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(201) 633-2125
Carolina Darbelles
Senior Public Relations Specialist
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(201) 633-2125
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Original Source: 5 Ways to Increase Your Financial Security
