It’s the same story over and over again: prices are rising but wages are staying the same. Families across the country are feeling the strain as their finances are stretched ever tighter. If you are feeling the pinch right now, rest assured that you are not alone. However, budgeting can be difficult, especially if you are not used to it.
Increasing your income can be difficult, but if you are looking for some spare cash you might be able to reduce your outgoings. Lots of families lead very busy lives and don’t have the time – or inclination – to budget effectively. However, just a few hours a month could save you a great deal of money. Try it and see. Here are a few simple tips to help you better manage your finances.
1. Assess Your Situation
It is all too simple to wilfully ignore your financial situation, especially if it is not looking too good. But if you are wondering where all your cash has gone at the end of the month, here is your chance to find out. Next time you stuff another bank statement into a drawer or immediately throw out your credit card bill, stop and reassess. It’s not going away just because you are not looking at it. Instead, take stock of your finances and look at what you owe. If it’s a lot, at least it might curb any unnecessary spending. And if your monthly bills are too expensive, then consider switching to an electric utility company that offers low electricity rates Calgary.
2. Check You Are Receiving All You Are Entitled To
If your income is low you could be missing out on certain benefits, depending on your personal circumstances. Use the Income Support contact number to find out whether you are receiving everything you should. By calling the Income Support contact number you can discuss, in confidence, your personal financial situation to assess whether there is any help available to help alleviate the strain.
3. Set Alerts on Your Bank Accounts
You should always be on top of your personal banking account. If you are frequently being charged for going overdrawn it is time to make some changes as noted here. Bank charges are a leading source of spiraling debt because every time you are charged a fee you are sent deeper into the hole. Most banks will now allow you to set alerts via the internet or telephone for your free checking accounts. Banking that will let you know if you get to a point that is dangerously close to the overdraft limit of your free checking account.
4. Shop Online
Lots of people get carried away during the supermarket shop and this is incredibly damaging to their bank balances. It is easy to go overboard as you are drawn in by the special offers, with no clue about how much you are spending until you reach the checkout. You can combat that by doing your shopping online and ensuring you stick to your budget rigidly like this. Yes, there will be a charge for delivery for your online grocery shop, but you can mitigate this by choosing the cheapest option or going for a wider time-frame for delivery if possible. You can guarantee that the couple of pounds spent on delivery charges won’t amount to more than you would have spent in the supermarket.
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Source: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/managing-your-money
