Introduction: 5 Steps for Improving Your Financial Status
We like spending money, there is no need to deny it, but at the same time, we want to be free of debt and to have enough in order to cover all our monthly living expenses. Some people even like to have something extra saved up on a special bank account so that they can have some savings in case times get tough. But all this is simply wishful thinking, and most of us don’t even have a clue what to do when an emergency strikes or when our spending gets out of hand. In order to achieve some of that financial freedom, you will need to have a backup plan that will help you out at all times , especially in the unforeseeable future.
Step 1: Sell Off the Things You Do Not Need
One can easily conclude that your house is probably filled with things that you do not need and you do not use. If you have any payments that are coming as a result of a car accident, or some other unfortunate incident that you are being compensated for, you can easily have all of that paid in advance. It is clear why this can be quite tempting, as it can easily solve your current financial troubles and give you enough money to pay for something that you need. You can sell some other valuables from your home, or simply have them pawned, that way, when you do have enough money, you can easily buy them back – a tactic which a lot of people employ, but it is important to remember that it also comes with a price, since you will need to pay a bit more.
Step 2: Keep Unnecessary Expenses to a Minimum
It is the pressure of consumerism that bombards our mind with images of various products that we do not need at all. Our subconsciousness actually forces us to buy these things, and it is our responsibility to fight this urge. Just think for a moment before you purchase something with extremely limited usefulness. Additionally, you do not have to buy a new cell phone or a laptop whenever it arrives on the market. If your devices are working properly, the need for a new one is obsolete. Learn to enjoy the simpler things in life, not new shoes, clothes, cars, etc.
Step 3: Pay Your Bills on Time
Postponing to pay for your bills is a rookie mistake which may have a harsh consequence on your budget. Allowing your bills to pile up will leave you with a sense of bitterness whenever you want to spend money on something else. By skipping your bill payment in order to have money for something else that you want is a classic example of overreaching, in other words, if you can afford something by means of neglecting your bills, then you actually can't afford it - end of story.
Step 4: Find an Additional Source of Income
At the beginning, when you are still trying to create your emergency fund, you may need to take up an extra job. You can try and find a freelancing job on the internet, or see if someone is available to give you a part time employment. After you have formed your emergency fund, you can quit that job and finally take a break, or just focus on progressing at your current place of work.
Step 5: Create Your Emergency Supplies
You know how they say that you should always have a backup plan? Well, this is exactly it. It is the first thing that you need to do as soon as you begin to earn money - open up a savings account and start saving money. Once you have enough money that can support you for some time if something goes wrong, you are going to feel much safer. Do not allow yourself to be tempted to take money from this emergency account. In that case, all of your hard work will be for nothing.


