Budgeting – Good Finance Tips https://goodfinancetips.com Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:38:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 9767975 How can I finance a phone without a credit check https://goodfinancetips.com/how-can-i-finance-a-phone-without-a-credit-check/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-can-i-finance-a-phone-without-a-credit-check Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:07:16 +0000 https://goodfinancetips.com/?p=150 How can I finance a phone without a credit check Read More »

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Having a credit card is an essential part of society. It can get you anything from plane tickets to toothpaste, but it may also get you into trouble if not used wisely. If you cannot get approved for a phone line because of bad credit, some workarounds may help you access the latest technology your heart desires. Here are different ways on how to finance a phone without having a credit check done.

1) Use a prepaid phone line

One of the biggest ways to get approved for a phone with bad credit is using a prepaid phone line. Many different prepaid companies will allow you to obtain credit without needing any sort of checking done on your past spending habits. There are no contracts involved with this method, so it gives you the freedom to leave whenever you feel like it. All you have to do is go online or go into the store and purchase minutes for however long you want them for. This is the cheapest way to finance a phone if you can’t get it approved by traditional means.

2) Use an installment plan

This has become more popular in recent years because it was once only used for higher-priced furniture and tablets. This allows you to pay for your phone in monthly increments, which is better than paying for it all at once and financing the phone’s full price. With this method, there are typically three different payment options that you can choose from depending on how much money you make per month.

3) Lease a phone

Leasing a phone is becoming very popular, especially because most carriers do not offer installment plans on their more expensive phones. You are paying for an upgraded version of a go phone, where you can stream videos faster or have larger memory space on your device. Once your lease is up after two years, all you have to do is give them back their old model and upgrade again for free.

4) Get a refurbished phone

With this method, you will be able to save money because it is an old model that has been fixed and updated with the most recent software installed. It works like new and has all of the features you would find on a brand-new device. Since most refurbished phones are previous models, they come at a lower price than what you would be paying for a new one. You can also ask for an additional discount if purchasing multiple accessories such as headphones or cases.

5) Lease your phone with a carrier and buy it back from them after your lease is up

This way allows you to put money down before they start billing you monthly, but you won’t be the owner of the phone until your lease is up. If you are looking to upgrade in a year, then this method is perfect for you. You will be able to get new phones every year by only paying the fees associated with getting them shipped back to them after your lease is up.

6) Ask for help from friends and family members

If you have good relationships with people who are willing to help you out when in need, they will most likely be able to hook you up with one of the old phones they no longer use. This way, if anything happens to it or they want an upgrade, all they have to do is go online and sign in to their account on their current mobile carrier site. They can easily swap their old phone for a new one, and you will get access to everything their phone has without needing to be approved.

7) Ask your current carrier if they have any discounted phones or upgrade offers available

This is something that most people fail to take advantage of, especially if they are currently happy with their current service provider. By asking them this question, it could lead to getting a free upgrade on your phone because you were loyal enough to stick around throughout the years. If that doesn’t work, there may still be options available that can help you finance a phone without going through a credit check.

8) Ask for leniency from your carrier when upgrading early

Some carriers allow customers who have been with them longer than two years to get an early upgrade if they are in good standings with them. This early upgrade promotion is usually advertised around the holidays. It could give you access to a new phone without having to wait until your contract is an up or financial commitment.

9) Purchase a prepaid phone and pay for monthly service

This option gives you the option of purchasing one of their more expensive phones at full price while committing yourself to pay for service every month. The main benefits of this method are that customers can choose from multiple minutes, text messages, and data plans depending on how much money they want or need each month. If you don’t use all of the features very often, then this would be fine as long as you don’t mind paying extra fees when using them.

Conclusion:

You can finance a phone without credit by using the latest technology. The best cell phones are now available for purchase online, with financing plans that do not require you to have good or bad credit. Once you find one that works for you, just apply on our secure website and get started. There are many options out there, and it is well worth your time to explore them all before making any decisions about buying a new phone.

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How can I get financed for a car with a low credit score? https://goodfinancetips.com/how-can-i-get-financed-for-a-car-with-a-low-credit-score/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-can-i-get-financed-for-a-car-with-a-low-credit-score Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:06:17 +0000 https://goodfinancetips.com/?p=147 How can I get financed for a car with a low credit score? Read More »

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If you’re wondering “how can I get financed for a car with a low credit score”, you are not alone. A lot of people with a low credit score want to buy a new vehicle, or even a used one. However, the main issue here is finding the right loan that suits your needs and requirements. In general, lenders tend to stay away from someone with a low credit score because they can’t trust them to make payments in time. However, there are still ways to acquire car financing if you have a low credit score. Here are some tips and tricks to focus on.

Find ways to improve your credit

A good idea would be to try and pay all your bills on time. Also, try to repay all previous debt and avoid taking any new loans for the time being. Simply put, paying off all the outstanding debt and showing that you’re more responsible with your loans will help you increase the credit score and obtain a better deal.

Bring a bigger down payment

If you have a big down payment, you can offset the credit score issue. This means you will have lower monthly payments. Many lenders agree to offering you the loan you want if you have a big down payment. That makes you appear less risky, so they agree to it.

Provide documents that show financial stability

Showing things like your most recent pay stubs, maybe proof of address, all of these can help a lot. It shows that you lived in the same place for quite some time now, you have a regular job and you can afford these payments. Some lenders will be ok with it and offer you a loan, even if you have a low credit score.

Keep the credit card accounts open

You want to avoid opening new credit car accounts if possible. However, you do want to keep the current credit card open because it can lower your credit limit. As a result, it might hurt the credit utilization, and that can become a huge issue in the long run.

Know how much you can afford

It’s very easy to try and buy an expensive car, but that’s not a wise decision. The best thing you can do is to assess your needs and try to buy a car within your price range. This way you will have a lower debt to income ratio, and lenders will most likely agree to your loan request. That won’t happen all the time, but it’s certainly something to take into consideration here.

Conclusion

We recommend using these tips if you’re looking to receive car financing with a low credit score. It might be harder to do, but it’s still possible. As you try to do this, you should also find ways to increase your credit score. This way you can avoid dealing with huge interest rates. The faster you start implementing these tips and tricks, the better it will be. Eventually, you will be able to increase your credit score and lower your car payment’s interest rate!

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How Many Months Of Salary Should You Save https://goodfinancetips.com/how-many-months-of-salary-should-you-save/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-many-months-of-salary-should-you-save Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:03:40 +0000 https://goodfinancetips.com/?p=152 How Many Months Of Salary Should You Save Read More »

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Savings should be a priority for everyone for the best results. the question of how many months of salary should you save depends on several factors. Savings is one of the most basic and critical financial advice that is given by most people. When you start to save some amount every month you are thinking about your future. Many experts say that you should save almost six months of your salary each year and spend the rest to pay your bills and make all other expenses.

 

When planning to save money each year certain factors should be considered such as your financial goals, retirement period, liabilities, risk tolerance and many more. The amount of money that you are planning to save is expressed in the terms of percentage. This percentage stated by many experts range anywhere between 4 to 6 months of your salary for the best results. the amount of money to save each year depends on the savings goals which may be a year, a decade or a lifetime.

 

With age, your personal goal and financial goals will keep changing. Keeping this in mind it is essential to ascertain that it is never late to start saving. The saving targets should be determined keeping the age, monthly income, liabilities, outgoings and debts for the best results. mentioned below are some of the ways you can adopt to save every year.

 

50/30/20 Rule:

 

According to the 50/30/20 rule, it states that 50% of your salary every month should be spent on essentials such as rental, food, education fees and medical bills. Out of the other 50% left you should keep 30% for discretionary spending and 20% should be saved every month. This sums up to saving 20% of your salary each year.

 

Envelope system:

 

The envelope system is very beneficial ad has been appreciated by many people worldwide. under the envelope system it is advised to save a specific amount each month. Take several envelopes and write the categories on the envelopes. Put the amount assigned under each category inside the envelope. If you are over with the money in the envelope then you will come to know that you have overspent d need to control. At the end of each month, the money that is saved can be put on your savings amount for the best results.

 

Saving Plans:

 

You can opt for savings and investments plans to save better. There are several platforms both online and offline that allows saving plans. These saving plans provide you with a regular and steady source of income protected with a life cover. These types of savings are very beneficial for long term goals such as higher education, marriage and many more.

 

There are several reasons why you should save money. If you are looking to invest in a long-term plan then understanding savings becomes a compulsion. Knowing how to save and taking the right steps initially will help to protect your future which is essential for a healthy life.

 

Financial security:

 

One of the main reasons to save some amount of money each year is for financial security. Having money in the later phases of your life makes life very easy. Money invested in the right investment plans will give you handsome returns making you secured for the future.

 

Financial freedom:

 

Attaining financial freedom is not easy. You will require planning and it is essential to stick to the plan for the best results. if you have proper planning of your money invested or saved then you do not need to be dependent on others. Some unexpected expenses and emergencies may arise anytime. To tackle such issues having proper savings is essential.

 

Assists during emergencies:

 

One of the greatest benefits of saving yearly is that it helps during emergencies. If you have been able to save money each year from your salary then you will be able to tackle emergencies that come in your life. Emergencies are something that cannot be predicted and having an emergency fund gives you an added advantage. Open an online savings account and make it accessible for the best results.

 

Conclusion:

 

Mentioned above are some of the ways you can opt to save from your salary each year to tackle emergencies and other financial support. Having money in the future is one of the greatest things you can offer yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Setting up a Proper Budget: A Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned https://goodfinancetips.com/setting-up-a-proper-budget-a-penny-saved-is-two-pennies-earned/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=setting-up-a-proper-budget-a-penny-saved-is-two-pennies-earned Sun, 06 Sep 2020 20:43:15 +0000 https://goodfinancetips.com/?p=30 Setting up a Proper Budget: A Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned Read More »

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In a struggling job market, having a good handle on your income and expenditures is paramount.  The availability of well paying jobs is dwindling and the probability of decent pay raises is falling as well.  In order to remain financially stable, you need to look inwards eliminate your budgetary inefficiencies.  The cost of living is rising and the average pay rate is falling, but with a good budget you can continue to live the way you have grown accustomed to.

It’s important to remember that it doesn’t matter how much you make if you don’t have control over how you spend it.  This is why you will often read about the rich and famous filing for bankruptcy.  Improper monitoring, bad investments and negligence can be detrimental to any budget.  Fortunately there are a few things you can do to create a financial plan that you can adhere to. 

Identify Net Income

Before you can even start to think about what you can buy every month, determine how much money is flowing into your accounts.  Take your monthly pay and subtract any mandatory deductions like taxes or garnishments.  You shouldn’t deduct health care or retirement savings because these are numbers that can change.  After you have identified your net pay from your day job, tally up any other sources of income that you might have.  You could make a few extra bucks on the side selling stocks, babysitting, or working a weekend job.  All of these elements will have a major impact on your budget.

Determine Fixed Costs

Fixed costs don’t change on a monthly basis.  They are the foundation of your budget because they rarely ever change.  They are things like your mortgage, car payment, or property tax.  There isn’t much wiggle room with fixed costs.  Once you have set them up, you have to deal with them until you eliminate the cost from your life.  Indentifying these costs is the first step towards having a better handle on your expendable income.

Analyze Variable Costs

Unlike fixed costs, variable costs can fluctuate from month to month.  You can actively work towards reducing these costs if necessary.  This can be your cable, phone, electric, or gas bill.  By identifying these monthly expenditures, you will be able to hone in on the ones that you may be able to reduce.  It might be as easy as switching to a cheaper cable plan or turning the lights off more diligently.

Planning Ahead

Planning for the future is an essential part of every budget.  You should incorporate a little room for savings.  Setting money aside for retirement and a rainy day should be done separately.  You should work towards a goal of having six months of salary in a savings account, even more in a poor economy.  Saving for retirement is just as important.  Social security isn’t as reliable as it used to be so it’s up to you to take your retirement into your own hands.  Even if you can only stuff away a few meager dollars per month, it will go a long way after compounded interest is taken into account.

Have Some Fun

After everything is finalized, and you have taken care of your monthly bills and savings, the rest should be deemed expendable.  This money can be used for anything your heart desires.  While fun money is meant for fun, it’s important not to lose sight of how much money you have set aside for fun.  Going over in this category can lead to debt.

Setting up a budget is easy, abiding by it is the hard part.  The first few months of living with a budget is hardest, but with time and diligence you can learn to live on the strictest one.  Some might think it easier to make more money with a second job.  When you take taxes into account, a penny saved is truly worth two pennies earned.

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Four Ways to Improve Your Long Term Financial Outlook https://goodfinancetips.com/four-ways-to-improve-your-long-term-financial-outlook/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=four-ways-to-improve-your-long-term-financial-outlook Sun, 06 Sep 2020 20:38:08 +0000 https://goodfinancetips.com/?p=38 Four Ways to Improve Your Long Term Financial Outlook Read More »

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Most everyone wants to set aside money and develop a sizable savings account, but life’s unexpected happenings can make it difficult to do so. Accordingly, while the oft-repeated advice of columnists and financial professionals–develop savings–is useful, it doesn’t provide any insight or guidance in terms of the process itself.

For those who’re serious about enjoying long-term financial security, the following tips and suggestions will serve as a solid foundation–a base upon which future prosperity can rest and grow.  


Trim Discretionary Spending

Discretionary spending, or spending that covers non-essential goods and services, can tarnish an otherwise flawless budget.  

While seeing a movie or grabbing a cup of coffee might not seem like a big deal, these expenditures add up with time. For instance, purchasing one $5 cup of coffee per day, perhaps in the morning, would cost $35 per week–or $1,820 per year. Cutting this expenditure’s frequency down to five times per week, for half the weeks in the year, would still produce a bill of $650.

This isn’t to say that one should forego all of life’s conveniences and pleasures. However, it is to say that freeing a budget from excessive spending is a tremendous way to gain stable financial footing. There’s no wrong way to go about this process. Stay encouraged and positive by remembering that $10 saved per day amounts to $3,650 saved at the year’s end.


Pay-Off High-Interest Debt

It helps to think of personal finance as a wagon–a wagon that’s traveling towards a destination called retirement. Upgrades and improvements to the wagon increase the speed and efficiency with which it moves, and inversely, cumbersome baggage and unnecessary equipment will slow–or even halt–its journey. Consider high-interest debt to be the heaviest thing for a wagon to hold.

It’s nearly impossible to steadily travel towards retirement if high-interest debt, especially that of a credit card, is brought along for the ride. Stated bluntly, debt holders need to buckle down, cut costs, and make the largest possible payments on their owed sums.

The faster debt is eradicated, the less money one will lose to interest. Remember that every debt payment is a step in the right direction.

Optimize Monthly Entertainment Subscriptions and Services

Month-to-month entertainment subscriptions are all the rage today, and for good reason: they afford subscribers quite a lot of content.

That said, monthly subscription fees quickly accumulate, and one would do well to reduce them. Spending $15 less per month will produce annual savings of $180, or more than $2,000 in a decade. Though these expenditures are technically non-essential, they’re popular enough to warrant their own description.

Consider cutting video-streaming services that receive minimal use. Customers, including many otherwise smart budgeters, often pay for services that they don’t really use. Also, leading platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, allow subscribers to utilize multiple streams at once, even if viewers are watching different programs. Offer to share a service (for a portion of its monthly cost) with a friend and/or a coworker.

Millions of individuals still subscribe to satellite television, but there are much more efficient (generally and in terms of cost) services available today. Smart TVs, media-streaming sticks, video-game consoles, and many other devices, can provide access to YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and several additional television services. These services deliver the same live content as satellite television, in high definition, at a fraction of the cost. There aren’t any satellites, boxes, or contracts to speak of.

Film and television subscription services commonly produce overspending, but they’re hardly all the monthly entertainment services that can be evaluated; music services, loot-box services, video-game services, and basically any non-essential service that charges a monthly fee, are worth a look.


Open a High-Yield Savings Account

Investment advice has been intentionally avoided in this piece, simply because investment preferences and relative risk vary. It’s best for investment decisions to be made with the help of financial professionals. 

However, one needn’t worry about risk with a high-yield savings account. Some local banks (and many online banks) offer high-yield savings options. These options are FDIC insured, just as other bank accounts are. But most banking professionals shrewdly figure that if they can get away with paying virtually no interest on clients’ savings, they might as well do so. Unfortunately, the vast majority of savers walk right into the trap.  

With time, high-yield savings accounts’ 1.5-2% annual interest will add up. Even if a customer has a modest $10,000 in the bank, it’s hard to argue against receiving $200 at the year’s end, or $2,000 in a decade. (And that’s without factoring for additional savings!)

High-yield savings accounts carry no more risk than low-yield savings accounts, but they offer much healthier returns. There’s never been a better time than now to begin receiving interest payments.  

Thanks for reading, and here’s to taking steps towards a brighter financial future!

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