There’s no denying that life is getting more expensive by the day. As it gets tougher and tougher to balance budgets at the end of the month, many people are looking for quick fixes that they can use to improve their finances.
If you’re feeling the budget pinch, these are five fast methods to improve your finances today.
#1 Sell Silver Jewellery
Selling old, unwanted jewelry is a fast way to add some extra income that you can use to start an emergency fund or pay off debt. Selling silver jewelry can add up and help you kickstart your next financial goal.
The key is finding the right buyer. Your more reliable options are bullion dealers or buyers that can identify and resell antique and vintage jewelry. Try to find a silver buyer like Muzeum, which handles both bullion and collectibles and can offer a good price for either.
#2 Start Freelancing
What if you don’t have a convenient stash of silver jewelry at the bottom of your drawers? You can always cash in on your professional skills by taking on freelance work. With websites out there like Fiverr and others, it’s easier than ever to pick up a side hustle.
#3 Calculate a Personal Budget
If you don’t already have a personal budget, it can feel like money’s slipping out of your hands faster than it ever has before. Not everyone needs a way to increase their income if there’s room for them to cut back on discretionary spending. It may just take a bit of work to form better money habits.
Follow these easy steps to create your first personal budget:
- Calculate your take-home income.
- Create a list of all your monthly expenses, including mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, car payments, groceries, entertainment, grooming, etc. Don’t leave anything out.
- Split your expenses between fixed and variable (i.e., your mortgage doesn’t change, but the amount you spend on groceries can).
- Adjust your expenses until they fit within your income.
#4 Automate Your Savings
Are you struggling to find a way to set money aside? One quick fix is to automate your savings. When you use a system that directly deposits money from your checking account straight into your chosen savings account or an investment account, you start adjusting your spending accordingly. Once you automate your savings for long enough, you won’t even notice that money coming out of your account.
Use a budget to come up with a number that’s both practical and ambitious. As a general rule of thumb, many suggest saving as much as 20% of your income each month, but it’s important to be realistic in the face of rising costs.
#5 Pay Down Debt
Carrying debt is expensive, and you get nothing out of it. No matter what kind of debt you own, you should make it your top financial goal to pay it down as quickly as possible.
Start with the most expensive debt you have. This is whichever debt costs the most in interest each month. As you pay off these debts, you’ll find yourself saving more money each month, and your budget will stretch further.
