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Do you think that you experienced any genuine financial improvement last year? As we start 2015, you may want to look back a little to figure out the right and wrong decisions that you made about your money. This is important if you want to improve your personal wealth by the end of this year.
In truth, improving one’s finances is not as hard as it used to be thanks to our rising economy. According to an article published on Bloomberg.com the US economy improved last year. The household net worth is actually $1.3. trillion higher than the peak before the recession – which was at $67.9 trillion in the second quarter of 2007. This is caused in part by the improving real estate market that grew by 4.9% by September of 2014. Not only that, the improving job market is also a factor in improving the net worth of Americans.
It was not all good news though. There was a damper in the household wealth improvement caused by a drop in the stock indexes. However, this should be easy to recover as long as consumers take extra care of how they manage their investments. Another thing that may be slowing the growth of household wealth is the rising consumer debt. Obviously, the growth in our personal wealth is making us confident when it comes to taking in more credit.
3 steps to improve your finances this year
If you want to take your wealth to the next level, you need to start planning how you can do that. As early as now, you should have plans in place that you can follow periodically this year. Without a strategy, you will just go around blindly, hoping that you will hit the jackpot. Obviously, this is not the best way to improve your personal finances this year.
If you really want to revolutionize how your money is spent, think about these three steps that you can work on this 2015.
Pay off your debts
The first thing that you should do is to pay off your debts. According to a speech delivered by William C. Dudley at the Bernard M. Baruch College in New York, when debt goes down, the net worth goes up. The speech titled “The 2015 Economic Outlook and the Implications for Monetary Policy” was published on FRB.org. While discussing how consumers are in better financial shape, the speaker revealed that the household liabilities have gone down by roughly $500 billion as compared to the peak debt amount in 2008. This is helped by the lower interest rates – which is a factor in increasing debt loads. With this decrease in debt, the household net worth was able to recover and increase – thanks to a higher asset value.
It seems to correlate with each other. The less debt you have, the more you have in your personal wealth. Even if you own a home that is valued at $500,000, if you still owe $400,000 in your mortgage, you only have $100,000 in your personal assets. The more you pay towards your mortgage, the more equity you own in your home. This concept can be applied to all your debts – whether it is credit card debt, auto loans or student loans. What you are paying towards your debts can be used to grow your savings or increase your investments.
Another way that paying off debts can improve your wealth is the money that you will save on interest. This is only making your creditors and lenders rich. Pay off what you owe as soon as possible to lower the money you waste on interest payments.
Increase your savings
Once you have paid off your debts or at least implemented a repayment plan, it is time for you to focus on your savings. Increasing your savings is the direct way for you to improve your personal wealth. When you spend, you are distributing what you earned and putting them in the pocket of other people. When you save your money, you are putting it in your pocket. Whether it is to be spent on something that will increase your net worth or saved for the rainy day, the bottom line is it will be an addition to your assets.
According to an article published on EquitableGrowth.org, wealth comes from two sources – your income and your savings. While wealth can be inherited, that is something that is beyond your control. Your income and savings, on the other hand, is something that you have full control over – more so with savings. Your income will still depend on your employer but the amount you save will entirely be based on your own discretion. So grow your savings and it will directly affect your wealth.
Map out your financial goals
After working on your debts and savings, the third step that you need to work on is mapping out your financial goals. In some cases, this should be the first on your list. But considering how debt is rising and savings are decreasing, it may be more prudent to work on the first two before adding more financial goals.
So what goals can you work on? That will depend on you. It can be a new home, a car, your child’s college fund, retirement, or a business. The important thing is to have a goal. When you have a goal, it gives you focus. It gives you motivation. It gives you something to reach for. In essence, it gives you something to live for in the future. Not only will it do all that, it can also grow your personal net worth – at least, if you choose the right financial goal.
Tips to make your wealth last long
Growing your personal wealth is only the first phase in achieving financial success. Make sure that after growing your wealth, you know how to make it last long. You may end up with a huge amount but if you do not know how to manage it, this will not last.
Here are some tips that can help you make your money last long.
- Live below your means. One of the fastest way to deplete your wealth is by living beyond your means. This simply means you are spending more than what you are earning. Some people think that living within your means is the best way to go. While it will keep you in debt, it will only preserve your finances and keep you in the same financial state. The best way to make your wealth last long and increase it at the same time is to live below your means. This way, you can take care of all your expenses while having extra money to set aside for savings.
- Think before you spend. Regardless of how much wealth you have, smart spending will always be important. Even if you can afford it, that does not mean you should buy it. Ideally, you want to buy things that are aligned to your financial goals. If not, then think carefully before you make the purchase.
- Make investments. Like savings, this investing is another way to grow your personal wealth. think about where you can place your money and consider the risks that you will face. Without a little risk, growing your money will not be as rewarding as it should be. Investing the extra money you have is one of the best ways to make your finances work for you.
- Be aware and educate yourself at all times. In the end, you can make better financial decisions if you are aware of your options. Always make time to educate yourself about something. Read about rules, laws and various techniques to manage your money. While hiring financial experts will work, it will serve you better if you know what is going on with your personal wealth.
