Don't Let Your Personal Finances Control Your Life

When it comes to investing, you shouldn't put all your eggs into one basket. The term "investment portfolio" is used for a reason! You should make a variety of investments that will be able to benefit you in a number of ways. This will assure that you won't lose out on your nest egg if one market turns sour.

If you are currently renting, start saving. Once you have an idea of the monthly mortgage payment you qualify for, save the difference between that amount and your current rent payment. This will get you used to making a larger monthly payment, and any savings can be put towards your down payment for your new home.

Automatic bill payments should be reviewed quarterly. Most consumers are taking advantage of many of the automatic financial systems available that pay bills, deposit checks and pay off debts on their own. This does save time, but the process leaves a door wide open for abuse. Not only should all financial activity be reviewed monthly, the canny consumer will review his automatic payment arrangements very closely every three to four months, to ensure they are still doing exactly what he wants them to.

To eliminate emergencies killing your personal finances, pay your future peace of mind first. Set aside ten or more percent of your raw income for simple emergency savings or a liquid fund kept in cash, not an investment. Unexpected expenses are going to occur, this way when they do they hit your protective moat and not you nerves and stress.

If you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, use solar panels to save on your energy bill. When you install solar panels, your electricity meter actually runs backward during the day, as it adds power to the grid. Most solar panels will pay for themselves in 7-10 years of use. Watch out for nasty HOA restrictions on solar panels, though.

If one wants to give themselves better chances of protecting their investments they should make plans for a safe country that's currency rate stays strong or is prone to resist sudden drops. Researching and finding a country that has these necessary characteristics can provide a place to keep ones assets secure in unsure times.

Try to purchase generic items when they are available. Many times the generic product is just as good as the name-brand item. You will end up getting the same type of quality product for a lower price. This will help you save a lot of money in the long run.

Breeding birds can yield one great amounts of money to increase that persons personal finances. Birds that are especially valuable or rare in the pet trade can be especially lucrative for an individual to breed. Different breeds of Macaws, African Greys, and many parrots can all produce baby birds worth over a hundred dollars each.

Many people opt for 15-year mortgages to get their homes paid off more quickly. This sometimes puts them in a stressful situation if the payments are too high. Instead, try paying one extra mortgage payment per year. This easy trick can shave several years off your mortgage, and you will barely notice the extra yearly payment!

To save money on gas, make sure your tires are properly inflated. By keeping your tires full, your gas mileage improves by around 3.3 percent. By allowing all of your tires to drop just 1 pound per square inch in pressure, it could decrease your gas mileage by almost half a percent.

Starting out on your own can be an exciting time and a time when personal finance issues can spiral out of control. Use the above tips to keep yourself in check so you do not end up racking up debt you will have to pay back for the rest of your life.

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