These Money Saving Tips Will Kickstart Your Year And Your Journey To Financial Freedom

As 2019 quickly draws to a close, many of you will start thinking about how you can do things differently in 2020. But while some may hope to finally shed those stubborn extra kilos, others to dedicate more time to doing the things they love, what almost everyone seems to agree upon is the wish to save a little extra money.

Did you know that saving just a small amount of money every week, month or year can have a large impact on your ability to achieve financial security and every single one of your financial goals. But, while it’s one thing to say you’re going to save money, it’s another thing entirely to do it.

But don’t worry, getting started saving money is simple – with these budgeting tips from your dedicated team of expert financial advisors to guide you.

With the holiday season upon us, the temptation to overspend and purchase things you simply do not need is stronger than ever. But becoming a disciplined saver is a skill that will serve you well both now and well into the future.

And it all starts here:

• How to Get Started
• Review Your Home Loan & Insurance
• Pay Credit Card Debt Off Faster
• Consolidate Your Debt
• Look for Discounts
• Enlist Professional Help
• Split Costs With Loved Ones
• Identify Your Necessities
• Switch To A Fee-Free Credit Card
• Be Picky With Your Financial Institutions
• Get Started Now!

How To Get Started

While achieving a large savings goal might seem overwhelming to start with, you can help make it feel more manageable by breaking it down into smaller, more achievable goals. This way, you’ll know exactly what you want to achieve financially in the timeline you have.

The next step towards a successful year financially is to set yourself a tight budget tailored to your specific financial circumstances that will help you to achieve these goals. Consider using a budgeting app, like My Wealth Portal, to help you stay on top of your expenses and gain a clearer picture of your spending habits. Having a budget you can access in an instant will also help you to eliminate any unnecessary purchases of luxury items that may tempt you when your wallet is particularly plump.

Another great way to encourage regular savings is to set up a separate savings account where you can easily deposit money but will have more difficulty withdrawing it. Once you have your savings account in place, set up an automatic transfer for just after you get paid to ensure you’re regularly contributing to your savings and subsequently a brighter financial future. Just be sure that you’re staying on budget and don’t end up overdrawing!

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Tips for Saving Faster

REVIEW YOUR HOME LOAN & INSURANCE

Saving money doesn’t have to be just about keeping to a tight budget, a great way to save money is by reviewing your insurance and your home loan. Take this opportunity to check your mortgage and insurance policies against the competition to see if you can find a better deal. A little bit of extra work now can mean huge savings in the long run.

When it comes to reviewing your home loan, consider the different rates, fees and features of your current policy versus the competition. If you find a better deal, speak to your lender and see if they can match or beat it, and if they can’t, don’t be afraid to switch lenders!

Review all of your different insurance policies, including but not limited to your car, home and contents insurances, life insurance and income protection cover, taking the time to compare the price and features of your policies against those offered by other providers. If you find a better deal, don’t be scared to make the switch to a different insurance provider.

Feel like you could benefit from a review of your current mortgage and income protection insurances? Our team of financial advisors is here to ensure that your current protection is working hard to ensure you’re on track to achieve your financial goals.

Learn How Today

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CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT

If you have multiple sources of debt, you’ll also be paying more than one type of interest on your repayments. In this case, one of the fastest ways you can remove debt and save more is to consolidate your debt into one loan.

Consolidating all of your debts into one debt means cutting down on the interest you’ll be required to pay and allowing you to focus on managing one debt, rather than multiple smaller loans. The clarity this brings then becomes an essential tool in helping you not only to strategise how you’re going to pay off this debt, but also the timeline it may take you to get there.

For those of you with credit card debt, you could also consider working with your financial advisor to set up a credit card balance transfer. This will allow you to transfer a set amount of debt to a credit card with a lower interest for a set period of time. However, to make sure you make the most of the benefits of a credit balance transfer, it’s important that you pay off the entirety of the amount of debt you transferred before the period ends.

You could also consider consolidating your credit card debt onto a card with a low interest rate that’ll enable you to save money over time. For example, if you owe $1000 to Lender A, which is accumulating at 5% per year, and you owe $1000 to Lender B, which is accumulating at 10% per year, you will likely be better off transferring all of of your debt to Lender A. This lower interest rate offered by Lender A means that your debt will grow at a lower rate over time. In fact, in this example, by consolidating your debt, you’ll end up saving $50.

But, this being said, debt consolidation is not something that should be taken lightly; you are essentially taking out one, larger loan to cover your existing debts. That’s why it’s essential to seek the advice of an experienced debt advisor before making any financial decisions, as they can help you understand your current financial situation and chart the right way forward based on your unique circumstances.

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Tips for Gaining Financial Freedom

When it comes to gaining financial freedom, taking the time to review, monitor and better manage your money is an essential step.

Seeking professional financial help is another. By having an experienced financial advisor in your corner, you’re ensuring that all of your bases are covered and you’re prepared for whatever unexpected challenges may arise. You’ll also have access to expert advice only a phone call or email away, meaning that you’ll never have to wonder about whether a financial decision you make is right for you and your unique financial circumstances.

Looking for help on your journey to financial freedom? Get in touch with a financial advisor today

Then, keep reading for more tips on how you can achieve financial freedom:

LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS WHEN POSSIBLE

Being an efficient saver means finding ways to pay less for the same goods and services that are being utilised by everybody else. Buying in bulk, buying things that are on sale, and buying things that are used are all great ways to save on common consumer goods.

Taking advantage of credit card specials–such as those offering 0% interest for the first year or reduced interest for students– can help you avoid paying more interest over time. Additionally, automatic discount apps such as Honey make it easier to save without having to do any extra labour.

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ENLIST HELP

At My Wealth Solutions, we firmly believe that education is the key to financial success, as well as having the right team of financial professionals by your side. That’s why our financial advisors strive to make sure that not only are you receiving expert guidance, but also that you’re getting the education you need to make smart financial decisions for your future.

While exactly what your financial team looks like will depend on your particular financial circumstances and needs, at the very least it should include an accountant and financial advisor you trust. By working together, as well as with you, your accountant and financial advisor will be able to plan a path to get you where you’d like to go and ensure you stay on track to achieve it.

They also act as your go-to sources of financial information, so you’ll never have to spend a night worrying about whether a decision is right for you or if you could be doing more to achieve financial freedom. With the right team of financial professionals at your side, achieving financial freedom is simple.

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SPLIT COSTS WHERE YOU CAN

It’s no secret that in 2019, sharing has become the new norm. Ride-sharing apps like Uber allow you to split the cost of a ride home, you can hire a car by the hour with apps like Zipcar and it’s likely you split the bill when eating out with friends. So, why not apply that logic to other aspects of your life?

Achieving financial freedom doesn’t have to mean foregoing the little luxuries that give life character. It just means finding a more cost-effective way to enjoy them. That’s where splitting costs with your friends and loved ones comes in.

Been eyeing off that expensive new appliance but know you’re only going to use it occasionally? Ask around with your neighbours or nearby loved ones and see if they’d be willing to split the cost with you in exchange for sharing said appliance. You and a friend both desperate to play the latest game everyone’s talking about but don’t have only room left in your entertainment budget? Split the cost of it and share!

Splitting costs can not only enable you to save a little bit extra, which in turn will help you to achieve a brighter financial future, but it can also help you to strengthen your relationships with your loved ones.

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DECIDE ON THE NECESSITIES

Most families in Australia end up spending money on things they simply do not need. By cleverly cutting out wasteful spending, your monthly deficit can immediately decrease.

Avoiding unnecessary expenses doesn’t just mean going out to dinner less often or purchasing fewer luxury items. It can also involve avoiding fees, charges, and interest rates that are associated with some of the most common financial assets on the market.

Owning a redundant number of credit cards, paying avoidable ATM fees, and owning an undesirable mortgage are just a few of the common ways many individuals end up paying more than is necessary.

If you are hoping to avoid these redundancies, then you are going to want to take matters into your own hands.

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SWITCH TO A FEE-FREE CREDIT CARD WHEN TRAVELLING

If you are someone who travels a lot, an easy way to save money is to find a credit card that is compatible with your lifestyle and doesn’t charge you fees while travelling. Frequent ATM fees are an unnecessary expense than can accumulate quickly, as are credit cards with high surcharges for international purchases.

If you plan to travel a lot, or already do, make sure you take the time to research which credit card option is right for your needs. Or, ask your financial advisor if they have any recommendations based on your particular financial needs.

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SHOP AROUND FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Many individuals end up with high-interest credit cards and low-interest bank accounts simply because once they are committed to a given institution, they can no longer be bothered to change. But by shopping around and carefully examining other options, you may be able to find a way to pay less or earn more.

These are just a few ways you can give your monthly budget a creative revitalisation that will make things easier in the new year. There are a lot of incredible savings opportunities out there that can be easily accessed by almost anybody—you just need to know where to look.

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SWITCH TO A MORE LUCRATIVE SAVINGS ACCOUNT

Naturally, one of the most common places people go to store their money is a bank. Banks are particularly popular financial institutions because they are easy to access and all Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) are insured by the Australian Government for accounts up to $250,000.

But while the roles each of these banks play may seem to be relatively similar to one another, the differences between them can be rather significant. When comparing and contrasting various ADIs, there are a lot of different factors you are going to want to consider.

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Ready to make 2020 your best financial year yet?

Though it may seem that the most obvious way to save money is to simply buy fewer things, there are still many ways to save that don’t require any material change. By being conscious of the options you have as a saver, you will effectively “earn more” by saving on unnecessary fees.

But, like any aspect of your financial world, creating a way to save more and work towards achieving financial freedom can feel overwhelming when you tackle it on your own.

But it doesn’t have to.

We’re here to help you creating a savings plan tailored to your particular financial circumstances as we work together to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you’d like be. With our team of financial advisors by your side, 2020 could be exactly the kind of year that you need.

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