Top 5 Money Management Tips

When the end of the month comes around, do you have less money in the bank than you were expecting? Where’d the money go? Did you save it or spend it? Do you need some money management tips to help increase your disposable income?

When you are looking to save money for an investment or a big expense like a vacation, car or home, you need to implement money management tips. Remember that managing your money doesn’t mean you have to give up your entire life, it just means that you have to be a little more mindful of your cash flow.

1. Budget Your Eating Expenses

When you’re looking at where you spend your money, you might be surprised that so much of it is spent on take-out or restaurants. It all adds up!

* Limit the number of times you go out every week and start planning your menus when you cook at home. This will make a huge difference in your grocery bill.

2. Map Out Your Expenses

For a month, write down everything you buy. Rather than obsessively reviewing your expenses every day, just take the time to make it accurate. You’ll find that there are plenty of unnecessary purchases you can eliminate from your budget without thinking twice.

* This is a great way to track your cash expenses, which includes all the times you stop for coffee, go out for lunch, or stop by the dry cleaners. Write down every penny spent and review it the end of each month.

3. Pay Your Bills on Time

This goes without saying, but keep in mind that missing your payments on your bills will make the late fees pile up. Put a reminder on your phone to go through your bills one day out of the month. If you are able to pay extra on some bills to pay them down quicker. You may also try automatic bill payments and, you’ll never have to worry about late fees again.

4. Reduce Unnecessary Services

One of the most common money-wasters is paying for services you really don’t need. For example, how many television channels do you really watch? Chances are good that there are a few dozen channels you simply never turn to. If you can get rid of some of your programming, you just may find that you’ll have some extra cash at the end of the month.
 With alternative services out their like Netflix and Hulu you are still able to get quality programing on demand at a fraction of the cost from the cable company. You can also call your telephone, television, and wireless phone companies and ask if your plan is the most cost effective. Speak to your cable provider and tell them you would like to cancel your service. They will lower your payment real quick to keep you as a customer.

5. Reduce Driving

With the skyrocketing prices of gas, try alternate methods of transportation, especially for frequent or shorter trips. Get a bike, try the bus or train when you travel, or walk if you’re heading somewhere closer. Take some time and really analyze where your gas money is going.

* If you can’t use public transportation to get to work, consider carpooling with someone else in your company. This reduces the wear and tear on your car and will save you gas money, especially if three or four people share the ride. While running errands try to group them all into one trip.
Get Your Family Involved:

Saving money and using these money saving tips will be easier if you have your whole family on board, supporting the effort together. After all, these are good money lessons to teach children of all ages.

The idea of saving money should not intimate you. Just by implementing a few of these tips each month – and sticking with it – will help you keep more money in your bank account!

Karla Dennis

Karla Dennis, Tax Expert & Business Strategist

As seen in Forbes Magazine, Karla Dennis is an expert tax and business strategist. As an enrolled agent, Karla is licensed to represent taxpayers in all 50 states. She holds a Masters in Taxation and Business Development and is the author of two books, Tax Storm and Against the Odds.

Karla, the founder of consultancy firm Karla Dennis & Associates™, has saved her clients' thousands of dollars and has been featured in various media outlets such as Forbes, MSNBC, KTLA, Yahoo! Finance, and SmartMoney, marking her as the ultimate tax expert.