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New Year, New Start right? Make 2017 the year you get your finances in order. There are many ways to stay on top of them to make sure you don’t go past due each month and in general, just maintain your overall financial health. Here are suggestions for you to keep your finances in order:
- Keep bills together – Most likely, you are still receiving bills in the mail. So you don’t lose track of them, make sure you keep them all in one location. I personally use the Mead Bill Organizher
and write down all the bills that are due each month. When the bills come in, I add the amounts that are due and fill in check # or online confirmation #’s. If you do your bills at your desk each month, and prefer to keep them on your desk in the open, I LOVE this Desk Storage Organizer
.
and write down all the bills that are due each month. When the bills come in, I add the amounts that are due and fill in check # or online confirmation #’s. If you do your bills at your desk each month, and prefer to keep them on your desk in the open, I LOVE this 
.
- AutoPay – This is the best option if your paychecks are on set days each month. Sign up for AutoPay and call it a day. Just don’t forget to write it into your register if you keep one!
- Direct Deposit into Savings Account – Best way to save money is to have it direct deposited into an account so you never see it. It’s easy to say that you’ll save money, but not so easy to put it away once it’s in your checking account!
- Keep Track of all Your Online Accounts – This one is important. It’s so easy to forget where you’re registered online. I use this Password Address Book to keep track of where I am online. The book NEVER leaves my purse.
- Keep Track of Your Monthly Expenses – I did this last year. I wrote EVERYTHING down. I then wanted to cry. Between buying breakfast at work, iced tea or a soda every day, a bag of chips or a pack of gum, I was spending around $1,500 a year! Ummm, what? So, I now have a little “kitchen” area at my work desk. I keep iced tea that I get for $1 at the grocery store with my grocery shopping trips instead of paying $1.89 at our little breezeway store at work. I bring healthier snacks in and still pay less than I would at our little store. Yes, I still occasionally stop at the store, but, maybe every few weeks now.
These are just five ways to keep your finances in order going into the new year. What ways have you found that works for you?
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Amazing when you start writing everything down how all sudden you find where money is being wasted. All our bills go in one place plus recept.
Starting off the new year with keeping your finances in order is a must. I agree. Thank you for sharing your tips. They’re very helpful.
I’ve been using an app to track my expenses this year and it’s working great! I have a file similar to yours for bills too.
I really like the idea about keeping your bills together. That desk organizer is something that I could definitely use in my office.
I’ve been trying to get myself organized and I’ve selected auto pay on all of my bills as possible. Some places won’t do a bank draft but most do. Your tips are a valuable resource.
We go through grocery shopping almost once a week and it adds uip. I should try your method to track our expenses.
Chubskulit Rose recently posted…Pompeii, Germany, and the Curse of Dar Kastle
I really don’t have strategy to keep the monthly bills in order but I know I need to do it. This Desk Storage Organizer is something I am going to have to check out for sure. Thanks for sharing the tips.
oh yeah when you start writing things down you find money where you didnt know it was and you find where you have been wasting it.
Wow, this is really sounds good and I love to track our finances. I should try this app glad you share this with us
Okay, I am such a mess with my finances! Thank your for your advice, I will really try to follow it!
I’m doing well in keeping the bills in one place and the automatic deposit in my account. What’s challenging is how to keep track of monthly expenses from the gas, groceries, emergency trips to the mall, etc… I’m scared of doing this because I don’t want to know how much goes into Starbucks every month :p
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I’m doing well in keeping the bills in one place and the automatic deposit in my account. What’s challenging is how to keep track of monthly expenses from the gas, groceries, emergency trips to the mall, etc… I’m scared of doing this because I don’t want to know how much goes into Starbucks every month.
Bernadette Siazon recently posted…Paradise Dynasty’s Xiao Long Bao, S Maison at the Conrad Manila
I hear you there about Starbucks! I use the app of course, and try to allow myself no more than $15 a month. Works out to be about 1 drink a week 🙁
Great post! It’s so important to keep track of everything. Organization is key. I do all the things you mentioned, but I especially need to keep better track of online accounts.
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Great tips indeed! It is important to keep track of your expenses and finances, but also be consistent on it.
Thanks for sharing.
These are great tips. I need to get better at writing everything down. That’s where I drop the ball.
This is great. We have one card that we use to autopay all of our monthly bills. It is a cash back card and we pay it off in full every month so we earn that cash back and are able to improve our credit score.
Thanks for the tips. I have a hard time keeping up with my online accounts so I know I need to work on this.