The word “thrifty” is rarely thought of in a positive sense but that’s not fair because if we continually spend more than we earn, our debts will eventually catch up and other words such as “default” or “bankrupt” might become more familiar.
Being thrifty doesn’t mean doing without – quite the opposite. Here are six simple tips to build up your savings.
- Create a budget and stick to it
Before you can get your spending under control you need to know exactly what your income is compared to how much you spend. There are many free online budgeting tools available, such as the MoneySmart Budget Planner found at www.moneysmart.gov.au.
Recording every purchase as you get started is an interesting exercise. At the end of every month, add up all of your purchases and compare them to your budget. It could be surprising to see where your cash is actually going.
- Be debt smart
Make a list of your debts and organise them in order of annual interest rate. Those with the highest rates (most likely your credit cards) should be paid off first, especially as the debt is not tax-deductible. It rarely makes financial sense to invest money to receive 8% pa while you are paying credit card interest of 20% pa.
Time for a mortgage check-up?
Like all things, mortgage products change – particularly with interest rates at record lows. If you are more than five years into your mortgage, it could be time for a review. Check with your lender to ensure you’re getting their best rate. You might be astonished at the deals lenders are prepared to do to keep your business.
- Get creative in the kitchen
Have you looked deep into your kitchen pantry lately? At least once a week gather up the household and get creative. Brainstorm how to use some of the existing ingredients from your pantry and fridge (those that are still edible!) in new and different ways. This creative exercise will not only be fun, but will save on your grocery bills.
- Switch and save
When was the last time you compared costs on your home/health/car insurance, phone plans, gas and electricity? By shopping around and negotiating a better deal you could save significant dollars on your monthly spend. There are helpful websites to make comparison shopping much easier but be aware that they only list providers who have paid to be promoted on their sites.
- Be organised!
Most people are amazed at how many gifts they buy each year, often at the last minute. By establishing a gift list and allocating a set budget for each recipient well ahead of time, you can progressively buy gifts on sale during the year. This will certainly help your cash flow and circumvent overspending by avoiding that last minute rush.
As you watch your bank balance increase, enjoy the feeling of being in control and knowing you can have whatever you want with just a little discipline.
For more information or to speak to one of our Financial Advisers please contact TNR Wealth Management on 02 6621 8544.
Disclaimer
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The information and any advice in this publication does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it. This article may contain material provided directly by third parties and is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but has not been independently verified. It is important that your personal circumstances are taken into account before making any financial decision and we recommend you seek detailed and specific advice from a suitably qualified adviser before acting on any information or advice in this publication. Any taxation position described in this publication is general and should only be used as a guide. It does not constitute tax advice and is based on current laws and our interpretation. You should consult a registered tax agent for specific tax advice on your circumstances.
