How To Become Financially Responsible

At a time when financial security is anything but secure, it is important to take several precautions to become more financially responsible and to better prepare for the future. In our contemporary culture, it seems there are a million ways to spend our money, and even more bills and obligations that seem to bleed our paychecks dry. Being financially responsible has never been an easy task, but it's effort that's worth taking. Once you've made the commitment to manage your finances more wisely, you can use the following suggestions to take control of your life and finally have the peace of mind that comes with becoming financially stable.

Get Out of Debt
The first step in becoming financially secure is to get out of debt. There are a variety of different forms of debt, but the only acceptable kind of ongoing debt for the financially wise is a home mortgage. And the worst kind of debt a person can have is credit card debt. Credit cards have astronomically high interest rates, and it has been proven that if people only make the minimum payments on their credit card bills, the interest charges will add up so that they will never be able to pay off the credit card. Credit card debt is financially destructive because you end up paying more money in interest, which means you're paying money that could and should be going toward something else more valuable.

If the temptation to use your credit cards proves too strong, you may want to consider getting rid of them and just using a debit card to pay for your expenses. You may think this sounds limiting, but that's exactly the point. If you limit what you spend, you will have more money for what is truly important.

Going into debt for purchases other than a home should be done only after careful consideration. Going into debt even for a vehicle is not a wise idea. Cars depreciate in value so quickly that when you buy a car, you should plan on driving it for several years. And it's just not worth your money to buy an expensive car that will depreciate quickly. Choose a reliable car that you can afford, and drive it for as long as possible.

The best way to manage your debt is to follow an accelerated debt reduction program, where you pay off your smallest debt first and then work on your other debts. More details about an accelerated debt reduction program and how it works can be found on a variety of financial websites and from financial advisors. There are also a variety of other debt management services available, including Christian debt management. With Christian debt management people can receive financial assistance in ways that harmonize with their beliefs and philosophies.
Downsize and Downgrade
Another step to take on the road to becoming financially responsible is to downsize and downgrade. Examine your possessions and decide what you can live without, as well as what is too extravagant for your needs. For instance, is your home too big for you and your family? Or, is your car more expensive than it needs to be? If so, downgrade. Consider moving to a smaller, more affordable home and to perhaps drive an older model of vehicle. Or better yet, take public transportation or ride a bike and save enormous amounts of money on transportation expenses. Aside from these major downgrades, people should also evaluate how much money they spend on food and make adjustments if necessary. For those who are struggling financially, going out to eat on a regular basis is unwise. You can make your own meals at home for only a fraction of the cost.

Keep a Budget
If you are not sure where your money is going, try keeping a budget. You don't have to schedule where you're money should be spent; rather, you should just keep track of what you're spending your money on. This way you can become more aware of what you're spending your money on and where you can make needed cuts and adjustments. Because the best way to save money is to stop spending it.

Saving Money
Once you've made any necessary adjustments to your daily spending behavior and have gotten out of unnecessary debt, the next step toward becoming more financially secure is to save money. Ideally, you should aim to save enough money to be able to live for three months without any income. This provides a measure of security in case something happens and you are unable to work for a period of time.

When saving money, the first steps are to set up a savings account and then to determine to not withdraw money from it, unless in a time of dire emergency. Making saving money a habit will also help ensure that you meet your goals. Determine a certain percentage of your paycheck to set aside each month or pay period, and put that money into your savings count. Savings accounts often gain interest, and the more money you put in, the more money you can make, so that even a small amount, such as 10%, can make a big difference in the long run.

As you may have noticed, being financially responsible doesn't allow for a lot of self-indulgence or unnecessary purchases. That's not to say that you can't budget in a little fun here and there, but it does mean that you must recognize that your secure financial future is more important than momentary frivolity. By being willing to sacrifice and follow the above suggestions toward becoming more financially secure, you can be more confident in your ability to face the future and have a stronger peace of mind that you and your family will be taken care of during troubling times.
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About the Author
Christianinfoondebts (http://www.christianinfoondebts.org/) is a Christian debt management. Art Gib is a freelance writer.