Page 26 - Kingdom News Edition 3

5 Ways to Stay in Charge of Your Finances

By Angela Donahue, Business and Marketing Consultant

Across the country, there are more and more people who are becoming overcome with debt and are
facing financial disaster. If you want to be sure that you have a bright financial future, you need to take
measures to get in charge of your finances immediately. Remember, there is no short-term cure for your
finances, but you are going to have to work to stay in charge of your finances at all times. The following
are a few tips that can help you to maintain control of your finances.

#1 - Develop a Budget and Stick with It purchase, make sure that it is a planned purchase
Developing a budget that you stick with is a great that you have spent time thinking about. Avoid
way to keep in charge of your finances. When you impulsive shopping that results in you buying
are making up a budget, be sure that it is a budget things you do not even need.
that you can deal with long term. Make the budget
reasonable and be sure that you budget in money #5 - Keep Track of your Credit Report
to save each month as well. People who have a Your credit report is a good gauge of what is go-
reasonable budget are less likely to start going out ing on in your finances and it is important that
and running up a great deal of credit debt. you keep track of it. By checking up on your credit

report, you can see where there are problems and
#2 - Work to Become Debt Free work to fix them. You may also be able to identify
Another way that you can stay in control of your any errors on your report that could affect you
finances is to start working on getting rid of all negatively as well. If you do find errors on your
your debt. While becoming debt free can take a bit credit report, be sure to call the company and
of time, there are ways that it can be done if you start working on fixing the error to make sure
are willing to work on it. Once you become debt your report is correct. ■
free, you will be free from looming debt and will
have more money left over each month instead of Contact Information For the Three Credit Bureaus
Equifax - www.equifax.com. P.O. Box 740241. Atlanta, GA
paying all those credit card bills. 30374-0241. 1-800-685-1111.
Experian - www.experian.com. P.O. Box 2104. Allen, TX
#3 - Organize your Finances 75013-0949. 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742).
Many people fall into financial disaster by a lack of TransUnion - www.transunion.com. P.O. Box 1000.
organization, but keeping your finances organized Chester, PA 19022. 1-800-916-8800.
can help you stay in control of your finances. Make
sure that you keep track of bills and when they
need to be paid to avoid late fees, and also be sure
to keep track of your check book so you do not
have a problem and overdraw your account. Sim-
ple organizational measures can help you keep
better control over your finances.

#4 - Avoid Overspending
One area where many people have a problem is in
the area of overspending. If you want to stay in
control of your finances you will need to avoid Facebook: @AngelaDonahueMarketingMogul
overspending. If you are going to make a large Instagram: angelalapatoplifestyle
Twitter: @Wealth_Legacy15
Pinterest: www.AngelaDonahue.com