Six Month Rule

We are hitting the six-month mark. If you are like most, you did really well at starting a budget in January as part of your New Year resolutions. However, days, weeks, and months have passed, and you are probably getting a little lazy. Take a break from your day to re-organize your finances.

Get It Straight

It is always good to stop and reflect halfway through the year on how you can get better organized when it comes to your finances.

Here are some ways to get back on track.

Clear the clutter. Passports. Social Security cards. Pay stubs. Tax records. All of these are extremely important documents. However, they are probably in a messy pile. Organize these documents so that they are easily accessible. Also, toss anything that is more than seven years old. There is no reason to keep a utility bill that was paid back in 1983.

Where are your goals? Is your savings account where you wanted it to be by this point? What about those credit cards – are they paid off yet? Maybe instead of paying off a medical bill, you chose a pair of shoes. It’s ok. Things happen. But now is the time to get your focus back on getting your finances in a better place.

Has your budget changed? Did you get a raise? Maybe a new bill appeared that you hadn’t expected. Whatever it is, make sure your budget fits your lifestyle so that you are not overspending and going in debt.

By taking a moment to re-organize your finances, you can breathe easy knowing your finances are back on track and you are on your way to good financial health.