It’s time to do a little spring cleaning. Except instead of tidying up your house, start with your finances instead. Here are a few ways to get rid of clutter and save some money.
1. Clean out your drawers! Surely, they are stuffed with old ATM slips, bank statements, credit card bills, etc. Once your drawers are emptier, you’ll feel a lot less stressed. Be sure to keep the things you absolutely NEED but throw the rest in the shredder. Many of those statements may contain personal information that you don’t want leaked to anybody! So, shred it to bits to prevent identity theft.
2. Set up and online banking account. When you sync your account so that it’s online, everything becomes so much more convenient. You even have the choice of viewing your statements online instead of having them sent to your house. Not only would you be saving the earth, but you’d also be saving yourself some clutter. For those paranoid about relying on online records, banks have to keep records, too. So in the case that you need an actual tangible copy, you can always request one from the bank.
3. Sell your old technology! You can list it on Ebay or Craigslist. Either way, people are always looking to buy technology, even if it may be an older edition. This is a great way to get rid of old gadgets that you may not use anymore because you either go a new version or are planning on getting a new version. Whether it’s an MP3 player or an iPad, they’re all in demand! Especially if they’re kept in really good condition. Just be sure to delete all of your personal documents and information from the device before shipping it off to its new owner.
4. Check your credit scores and conduct a debt check. It never hurts to check that everything is paid off. If there are any discrepancies on the credit report, you’ll want to take care of it right away.
5. Plan out your financial goals for the upcoming year. Talk with your partner about how much money you want to set aside for specific purposes. While you’re at it, check on your investments and stocks to make sure they’re still doing well. If they’re not, be sure to sell them before you lose money on them. There are also many online tools available to create financial plans. Keeping a record of your goals will give you something to reference and make it likely that you will want to stick to your goals!
