When you realize that your financial situation needs a little TLC, you might not know where to look. This is why Cruise & Associates is taking the time to give you a few financial tips and tricks that could get your foot in the door for a healthier relationship with your finances.
A common issue among many individuals is a high credit card balance. One way to tackle this is to pay off high interest credit cards. Many individuals have interest rates that are more than 20%. A USA Today article written by Adam Shell stated that, the national average credit-card rate has risen by 0.56% in the past six months and hit a record 16.71%. Numbers like this can make credit cards fairly difficult to pay off however it is in your best interest to do so. If your credit card debt is painful to look at, it may be in your best interest to speak with an accountant and receive financial advice on if consolidation or refinancing would be a smart move for your situation. Lowering interest rates alone can save you big bucks in the long run. It is not a guarantee, but it is possible to speak with your credit card company about lowering your interest rate.
A move that is often overlooked is not knowing what amount of your paycheck should come out for taxes. If you arrange for more than what you owe to be taken out throughout the year, the tax refund is a lot bigger. You get that money back anyway, so why sweat it? Wrong. Although it seems harmless, the extra money that is being removed and sits in your own personal imaginary vault, does not collect interest. A fairly large sum of money, that is rightfully yours, will be sitting all year around collecting dust instead of interest. Extra money that is borrowed to the government for free. No cost for the government and no profit for you. However, if you could get these sums of money throughout the year, you could put it towards other financial decisions! Paying a bill forward, decreasing a standing balance on a credit card, or even putting the extra cash in a savings account to accumulate interest and make you money.
Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through H.Beck Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. H.Beck, Inc. and Cruise & Associates, Inc. are not affiliated H. Beck, Inc. does not give tax, accounting or legal advice. Tax and accounting services are available through Cruise & Associates, Inc. We currently have representatives registered to offer securities in the States of NE, IA, and MO and insurance products in the State of NE. This is not an offer to sell or solicit securities or insurance in any other state or jurisdiction.