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7 Secrets to Having a Financially Healthy Family How many times have you replied "We don't have the money for that" when your child asks you to buy him something? His innocent reply is "Get some from the machine or the bank". You think to yourself, "If only it were that easy". Managing money is a tough ...
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The Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution Ask a friend what resolutions they made for 2004 and your bound to hear them reply Pay off my credit cards. Ask them how they planned on reaching that goal and many of them will not have a clear cut answer. The obvious first step to paying off ...
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This can be an extra pack of cookies when grocery shopping or buying a car on a whim. Most of us are guilty of this at one time or another. Even though the term is simple, it probably accounts for the majority of money problems family's have.
Planning a purchase of any kind is absolutely necessary if you intend to use your money wisely. That extra pack of cookies I mentioned isn't going to break your budget, but with the prices of groceries today, it doesn't take too many items to put a dent in your grocery allowance. However, buying a car without prior planning can get very expensive. Besides the obvious things like finding the best purchase price and interest rate, down payment, money for taxes and license, etc., you need time to decide which car is right for your family.
The below list of tips may help prevent impulse buying:
If you see something you like, leave the store without it. Go home and look at your budget. Then if you feel you can afford it, go back. In addition, this will give you time to think about
whether you really need it.
Always go to the grocery store or dollar store with a list. Buy just what is on your list. If you see items you would like to have, make a note to put them on your list for your next trip.
Always consider the entire price of an item before buying. In my state, if you buy a car that costs $20,000, you have to pay about 7% in sales taxes within 30 days of the purchase. That $1400 may not be that easy to come up with.
I know that the above ideas takes all the fun out of spending your money. Planning and budgeting are about as dull as watching grass grow. However, a family that budgets their money and plans purchases, will no doubt be able to make more purchases and feel much better about it.
About the Author Terry Rigg is the author of Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/ebookadpage.html and editor of The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter and Budget Stretcher web site http://www.homemoneyhelp.com. He has 25 years of experience counseling individuals and families concerning their personal finances.
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  Fort Worth Star Telegram |
Personal finance apps, ranked by MobilewallaFort Worth Star TelegramMint.com Personal Finance (Free)* -- One of the most popular money-management apps. You can create a razor-sharp view of your accounts, track your budgets and better manage your expenses. (Mobilewalla score: 99/100) CheckPlease Lite Tip Calculator ... |
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Friday's Personal Finance StoriesMarketWatchWell, it's that time of year again. Getting ready for the traditional start of summer, planning a fun Memorial Day barbecue, dreaming about a summer vacation, and defending your portfolio against a 30% drop in stocks and another debt-ceiling crisis.and more » |
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Thursday's Personal Finance StoriesMarketWatchInvestors who take minimal risk can't expect much gain, but those who don't manage risk can expect much worse, Jonathan Burton writes today in his Money Talks column. Read about risk manager Keith McCullough's strategy. Also on MarketWatch today, ...and more » |
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