Six easy ways to fix your finances

Taking control of your money will give you confidence and peace of mind. And it’s not as hard as you think.

We spend so much time working hard to earn money. And yet a lot of us don’t take the time to properly manage that money. We know there’s a whole finance world out there but it can be hard to understand all the options available to us.

It might sound a bit cheesy but the thing I love most about my job is that I get to help people live better lives. I do this by giving them the advice and guidance they need to properly structure their finances. My goal is to make myself redundant by empowering people to make day-to-day financial decisions for themselves that secure their long term happiness.

A lot of the time people come to me not knowing what to do. I immediately get to work demystifying the finance world with no jargon and no BS. I want people to understand their finances and get excited about making their money work for them. As a result, their lives improve dramatically and their future becomes a whole lot brighter.

The benefits of financial education and structure

It’s amazing how gaining financial independence gives people a huge dose of confidence. It also helps you to:

  • Set goals and achieve them through thoughtful planning.
  • Accumulate savings.
  • Gain certainty around paying bills and developing a credit profile.
  • Achieve an overall sense of financial wellbeing.

Top tips to take control of your finances

Taking control of your finances doesn’t have to be about making big, bold moves and managing a diverse investment portfolio. Some of the biggest gains can come from the smallest actions.

Here are my top six recommendations for being more money savvy:

1. Know what comes in and what goes out.

This isn’t about having a detailed budget but more about increasing your financial awareness and vigilance. You might be surprised by the things you pick up on.

2. Make sure you pay your bills on time.

This is a simple but effective way to save money as a lot of companies apply late payment fees.

3. Stop paying for things you don’t need.

Still paying for a gym membership despite not setting foot on the treadmill for 10 months? Paying a monthly charge for an app you never open? It’s time to cancel.

4. Sort out your super.

Too often people don’t understand their super entitlements or end up with multiple accounts. Make sure your employer is paying your super correctly and consolidate your accounts to reduce fees and maximise interest.

5. Check your insurances.

No one likes to think about getting hit by illness or injury but it’s an unfortunate part of life. Make sure you and your family are covered with income protection and life insurance.

6. Save to spend.

This may not sound like the usual financial planning advice, but I am a big advocate of spoiling yourself from time to time. Make sure you set some money aside every pay that you can use just for you. Life is short. You need to reward yourself.

A few simple changes can make all the difference. So what are you waiting for? Get cracking!

Need some more personal guidance? I’d love to help you embrace the power of solid financial management. Let’s chat about how you can take control of your finances and live your best life. Book a free consultation with me and let’s get started.

Nicola Beswick is a financial adviser, mentor and confidante based in Melbourne, Australia who empowers people to create a financially certain future free from stress and uncertainty.

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General advice disclaimer: This article has been prepared by FMD Financial and is intended to be a general overview of the subject matter. The information in this article is not intended to be comprehensive and should not be relied upon as such. In preparing this article we have not taken into account the individual objectives or circumstances of any person. Legal, financial and other professional advice should be sought prior to applying the information contained on this article to particular circumstances. FMD Financial, its officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any person acting in reliance on the information contained on this article. FMD Group Pty Ltd ABN 99 103 115 591 trading as FMD Financial is a Corporate Authorised Representative of FMD Advisory Services Pty Ltd AFSL 232977. The FMD advisers are Authorised Representatives of FMD Advisory Services Pty Ltd AFSL 232977.