BUSINESS CENTS
4. Pay attention to online spending habits
It can be all too easy to overspend when surfing the web - and easy to lose track of how much you're spending. One tactic to avoid impulse buys is to give it 24 hours. Don't click "order now" before thinking about it and reviewing your budget to see how you're doing. Ask: Do you need this?
Don't be fooled by sites that say there's "only one left" or another tactic to urge you to buy on impulse. Chances are, it will not be your last opportunity to buy that product.
5. Save on healthcare expenses with a VSP vision plan
While healthcare expenses overall may seem like another aspect of your budget that's hard to control, you can make some smarter choices when it comes to your eye health. With VSP® Individual Vision Plans, for example, you can purchase vision insurance at any time, with no need to wait for an open enrollment period.
You can visit an eye doctor and save with VSP vision insurance, benefiting from 20% savings on additional glasses or sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from a VSP network doctor within 12 months of your last exam. Best yet, you can find the best vision plan for you.
Unsure about what kind of plan you may need? Compare vision plans and find the one that meets your needs.
Making smarter decisions around budgeting, spending and finding ways to save will help you feel better as you work to improve your financial situation. These tips will help you get started.
3. Reduce your debt
Paying down as much debt as you can - especially higher interest debt - can help you get control of your finances more quickly. Two schools of thought around reducing debt are out there, and either one can work:
* Pay down highest interest debt first: Bottom line, this will reduce the interest you're paying on debt the fastest, which can mean saving more money in the long run.
* Pay down smallest debts first: Psychologically, this can be very effective. You may see entire debts being erased more quickly, such as store credit cards, which can inspire you to keep going with your efforts (just make sure not to keep using those cards). That also means having fewer payments to track every month.
Whichever approach you take, set aside in your budget an amount that's over the minimum monthly payment for the debt you'll focus on first.