Finance Guide Australia

Rob is a writer for many finance related articles on the web and writes for the Bank Savings Account site where you can compare savings accounts

Today, we are living in tough times. The entire global economy is on a downswing and we must do what we can to save our money as much and as early as possible even if it wants us to �force� ourselves for doing it. Indeed, it’s hard to change the whole picture individually, we should at least take a grip of our own priorities and bring a change now to ensure the security of our own family.

Here are some major steps you can take in order start saving money.

1-FOCUS ON SPENDING
I-Write down every penny you spend on a daily basis and regularly so that you can see and check what, where and why you are spending your money on.

II-Do away what you don’t need, look around your house, search and select those things that are not needful, sell them.

III-Refinance the mortgage on your home to decrease your house payments by several hundred dollars.

IV-Cut back on entertainment expenses. For example, instead of purchasing your favorite DVD, you can either look online for used versions or rent the movie. You can do the same with music and video games.

V-Educate your kids about how to save money. Teach them to understand the importance of money and the influence it will have on their future lives.


2- DEPOSIT AT BANK
I-Open a saving account and determine how you will be saving everyday, month, quarter, mid year and every year and you will be well-prepared and equipped economically, especially when unseen circumstances arise.

II-You can ask your employer to put at least 10% of payment into a high interest bank account, after a while you won�t miss it.

III-You can think of putting your funds into a term deposit to keep them there for several months and not withdrawing.

IV-If your spouse is good at saving then ask him / her to setup an individual bank account where your money can be safely stored and you won�t have access to it.

V-Using an interest-based current account will give you an advantage of withdrawing with cheques or ATM. You will have to always leave some balance in the account daily and it will yield interest.

3- GET DISCOUNTS
I-Get the best discounts on the things you buy and need to buy so that you do not over pay and you are satisfied with your purchase.

II-Look for freebies, rent instead of buying and buy things in bulk, use recycle papers and look for used good off the internet.

III-Utilize package deals on cable, internet, and phone from cable companies at a discounted rate.

IV-Clipping and using coupons is a great way to save money on everyday expenses. Coupons are abundant through local newspapers and the mail and are very easy to collect, and you can really get quite a few fairly quick.

V-While shopping, take advantage of sales and other consumer schemes e.g. buy one get one free. For grocery shopping, check if you can search for some big whole sales stores instead of making expensive purchases at typical retail shops.


4-SAVE ENERGY AND FUEL
I-You can cut-down your electricity bill by switching off the unused lights or adjusting the temperature settings of your refrigerator. Use florescent light bulbs in your house. Only use the dishwasher when it is full.

II-Think of replacing your old appliances with energy-saving devices which carry labels being an energy saver.

III-If you insulate your home, it will reduce the cost of heating and cooling.

IV-If you’re a homeowner, consider converting over to a gas water heater. They are much more efficient which will help save money over time.

V-You can save gasoline for your car by checking tires regularly, accelerating and decelerating gradually while moving and unloading the extra weight. You should keep filters and converters neat and clean and should preferably keep sunroofs and windows closed while driving at high speed.


5-INVEST WISELY
1-You can lend money to financial institutions for a specified time so that, later, your money can be repayed to you with interest. A lot of investing options are available nowadays, such as bonds, insurances, stocks, etc.

2-Refrain from being in debt and manage your investment plans successfully. Refrain from debts that involve high interest rates.

3-If you prefer a long term saving option, the insured account of money markets can be your choice. Since it is for a long term basis, the financial institution gives a high interest rate.

4-You can also invest your money in collectibles and other items that will grow in value over time. You know that they are going to grow, so you hold on to them until the time comes that you need to sell them.

5-You should also focus on the primary investment areas e.g. stock market, share market, real estate, business, partnerships, joint ventures etc. Select an option that is best suitable for you.

Summing up, if you know the right ways, it is easy to make money. With little imagination, creativity and self-discipline, you can help yourself in holding your hard-earned money to a great extent.