I thought it might be a good time to take a look at the ABCS of personal finance again.  Summer is almost here and time to take a good look at your habits and how to change them.

A-always be on the look out for good buys

B-  Be careful -if something is too good of a buy-it’s probably not a good deal

C-Credit- if you get get, than keep it, that means-good credit,  make monthly payments on time.

D – Debt- don’t have it until you absolutely have to-debt helps build your credit but make sure you can pay for it-meaning a house or car payment.  Also d is for “do not”-do not run up your credit cards to pay for groceries or stupid shit you don’t need.

E- E checks-I like them-the banks have been very good about making e banking secure.  Try it and save some paper and postage

F-Fantanize– about how you want to live,where and how you will pay for y0ur life style

G-Goals-try setting a savings goal. Ex-save $20 a week in a hidden jar-you’ll have over $1000 in a year.

H-help-ask for help when you feel you’re spending or finances are out of control.  Speak to a banker about savings or paying off credit cards.

I-Interest/investigate-Investigate the interest you’re paying on the credit cards.  Read all the fine print.

J-Job- get one-no matter if its in your field of study-all work experience is good for your resume.

K-Keep a record of your spending habits

L-Loan-if you loan money to a friend, expect to be paid back.   If you take a loan, pay it back.

M-Money-it doesn’t make the world go around but it makes it an easier ride. If you’ve made it, save it.  If it was given to you, appreciate it.

N-Not everyone is going to be a millionaire. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t try, getting close and having an easier life not worrying about your bills is a goal!

O-Over- over night success or overdraft-long term success doesn’t happen over night-hard work is the key.  Please stay away from checking overdrafts.  The fees are high and it will eventually go on your credit record.

P-Patience-be patient and  learn from people who know more than you-

Q- Quantity and quality-look for quality when purchasing furnishings for your apartment or house or investments. This might mean you spend a little more for something that will last longer. Buy toilet  paper, paper  towels, dry goods in quantity.

R-Rent-look at a lot of apartments before you sign a lease to rent.  Once you have signed you are committed to pay.   Usually there will be a security deposit equal to the first and last months rent.

S-Shop around- this goes for everything-banks, apartments, furniture, clothing etc.  Try the second hand stores for furniture, handbags and clothes.

T-Taxes-please pay them and on time-it’s really boring and sometimes pisses you off how much we have to pay in taxes-somehow it all levels out and hopefully some of the money will go to those who need it more then you.

U-Understand-  If you don’t understand when you are signing a contract or lease ask questions until you do.  It’s your money, you need to understand where the money is going.

V-Variable rate-this is an interest rate that changes over a period of time. This is particularly important for a mortgage because it will change the monthly payments. In most case this means payments will go up.

W-Wish list-think about what you really want and save for it.  It feels better to reward yourself when you can afford it.

X-Xpectations-have expectations for yourself, make financial goals and stay on track.

Y-Yearly, monthly, weekly evaluations of your finances

Z-Zip your mouth, listen, learn, read and understand-if you don’t understand than unzip and ask questions.