Future financial success is not a guarantee that any one of us can rely upon, no matter how wealthy we are now or intend to become.
There are however five future proofing financial steps that we can take to protect our current financial status, improve our future financial prospects and secure our long-term financial success.
1) Know The Different Between Good Debt & Bad Debt
Bad debt is any debt that accrues interest month after month on outstanding balances and includes credit card debt of course, which is now the most common type of bad debt that we are all burdened with. Other examples of bad debt include store card debt, home secured loans other than your mortgage and any money borrowed from lenders dealing with high risk borrowers as they charge the highest rates of interest and have the most restrictive and inflexible terms and conditions.
Good debt is really only your mortgage, although some people would argue with me and include car finance in this category even though a car is not an essential item for most people ? if we're honest with ourselves! Good debt in the form of your mortgage enables you to afford the roof over your head and for most of us it is the only way we will ever be able to afford a home.
A mortgage with an attractive and affordable interest rate will of course cost you money but at the same time it enables you to purchase a capital growth appreciating asset that you can later sell and redeem cash from or pass to your heirs upon death and that will be a positively tangible asset to benefit their financial futures.
2) Get Out Of Bad Debt
Examine all of the bad debt you have and prioritize the amounts to be paid off first by beginning with the most expensive debt in interest and charge terms. Every month pay off as much as you can afford from your number one debt and proceed with this approach right through every bad debt you have until you have no outstanding amounts remaining.
Then ? take on no new bad debt! Keep out of credit card and loan hell.
3) Pay Off Your Good Debt
Having worked hard for as long as it takes to pay off all of your bad debt you can now turn your attention to your mortgage ? some mortgage lenders penalize for early repayment so consider re-mortgaging if you can get a better or same rate of interest and you won't incur arrangement fees, or try to arrange new terms with your current lender that will allow you to make regular lump sum repayments.
The shorter the life of your debt the less interest you will pay and the sooner you will own your own home ? your most significant financial asset ? outright. This will give you massive security and also free you up financially to enjoy life to the full and save more towards your retirement.
4) Save For Retirement
Most governments of the civilized world reward their citizens with tax breaks on retirement savings made. Furthermore many conscientious employers add to an employee's contribution to a works pension scheme. Find out what benefits you're entitled to and get a retirement savings plan in place immediately. It is never too early to start saving for retirement.
Whilst paying off your debt is an essential step on the road to long-term financial success, so ensuring your future is secured through saving today for your own financial wellbeing is an essential step. After all, if you don't look after your best interests, no one else will.
Put as much as you can possibly afford each month into the best savings or investment product to suit your requirements and circumstances ? and start today.
5) Protect Your Personal & Financial Assets
Insure your life, your family, your health, your business and your home ? then use the services and advice of qualified taxation and trust professionals to find out whether there are legal and legitimate ways in which you can reduce your overall taxation burden and your estate's future inheritance or death taxation burden.
Look after your personal interests today and ensure that your financial assets are protected for life.
Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose many articles about onshore saving and offshore investing have appeared in financial publications around the world. Visit this link to read her latest articles about offshore investment
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..Investing is a subject a lot of people don't want... Read More
Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever... Read More
I think most of us have at some point in... Read More
During the last twenty years, banks have offered a number... Read More
Future financial success is not a guarantee that any one... Read More
I thought I was through with exams when I finished... Read More
I have to admit, I do it too. I complain.... Read More
When people speak about the increasing age expectancies, they generally... Read More
In this age of information, keeping track of your finances... Read More
If you, like most people, have not seriously considered what... Read More
Millions of people give a lot of thought to financial... Read More
There is a new bill that is being passes, it... Read More
Recent security breaches at several credit card companies continue to... Read More
We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, but... Read More
While 40% to 50% of us make New Year's resolutions... Read More
Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your... Read More
Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue... Read More
**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too... Read More
Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money... Read More
With the advent of the internet and especially auction services... Read More
How many drawers did you have to look through to... Read More
Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills?... Read More
Everyone needs to maintain their lives. What I mean by... Read More
To save on food, be an opportunist. Buy what you... Read More
Gas prices have soared to unimaginable heights of late. Since... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More
Chapter 7The potential chapter 7 debtor should understand that a... Read More
Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More
Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever... Read More
To save on food, be an opportunist. Buy what you... Read More
For me, the most terrible time of each month is... Read More
If you're like most people, your personal financial records are... Read More
If You Have an Existing Account and 5 Minutes, You... Read More
Most of us, especially those of us who have debtor's... Read More
Are your financial muscles well toned and healthy or flabby... Read More
**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too... Read More
In this age of information, keeping track of your finances... Read More
The gas that we fill our tanks with every week... Read More
The first step to financial success lies in knowing your... Read More
I've been sharing the following idea with people for a... Read More
Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself... Read More
Each of us knows how to spend money, but do... Read More
We live in a crazy world. Someone ought to sell... Read More
I have to admit, I do it too. I complain.... Read More
Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills?... Read More
ID theft is a major consumer concern, though there is... Read More
Saving money is not easy and is made more difficult... Read More
With prices increasing all the time, saving money can be... Read More
Today many women are struggling with debt and it's even... Read More
Despite how easy it is to balance a checkbook, very... Read More
Personal Finance |