Ways to Make Your Financial Life Easier

1. Get organized
- Keep your bills, checks and account information in one place. I suggest banking on line if possible. You can review your transactions and see how much you spend monthly. You can also send auto payments each month for bills with a set amount, such as a car or house payment. You can also check your statements on line if away from home. Very convenient.

2. Prioritize
-Weigh needs vs. luxuries. For example, if you don't watch much TV , lose the cable bill. The costs keep rising, and it is possible to live with only basic channels. I've done it for several years. Most networks allow you to view episodes of their shows on line, and you can usually skip the commercials.

3. Think long-term
- While it's always nice to get what you want now, chances are you'll benefit later in life from being frugal now. Set up a retirement or savings plan, even if you only put $20 a month into it, everyone needs a nest egg for an emergency. Things break, it's a fact of life. Do you really have to have the latest pricey gadget, or can you live with the basics for a while until prices go down? Where do you want to be 10 years from now? In a better financial situation than you are now? What do you have to do to get there?

4. Pay bills on time
-Having a good credit score will save you money when applying for loans for anything from school to a home. Poor credit may even prevent you from getting a loan. The best way to do this is by paying your bills on time. Not to mention late fees...Most credit card companies state (in ITT bitty print) that if you miss a payment your interest rate will go up.

5. Buy in bulk
-You can save money (and help the environment) by buying in bulk. Less packaging means less waste. Yes, a 30 pack of toilet paper is a lot to buy, buy you WILL use it. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable items that you use daily. You'll make less trips to the store and have more time to do other things.

6. De-clutter your home
-How many of us clean our homes and have to find space to put things we never use and don't have room for? Go through your house 2 or 3 times a year gathering items you don't really need. You can save some for re-gifting..he he

7. Make money and be socially-conscious at the same time
-Instead of dumping everything you've just collected into the trash, consider these options; Have a garage sale. You can get your neighbors to gather up their items too. Most people who frequent garage sales LOVE the large ones, raising your likelihood of making more money. It's also a good way to teach your kids about math, sales, and make them feel included. Recycling is an easy way to turn trash into a few extra dollars, and teaches your kids to be environmentally conscious. By donating items to charity, you get tax deductions and you're helping others. Ebay is a great option for selling items. Also, you can write articles for Associated Content. Tell your friends and family about the site and make money when they get published!

8. Have gatherings at home
- Make family/game night better by throwing a potluck party. Instead of going out to eat, trying to get everyone to meet on time and waiting for your table to be ready, make celebrations home-oriented. Pot-luck dinners will save you money and you may learn a few great recipes. Playing cards or board games gives everyone a chance to relax and catch up. It's also safer than having a few drinks and getting on the road.

9. Be energy-efficient
- Remember being told as a child, " Close the door! We're not cooling/heating the entire neighborhood! ?" It's true. If you leave your door open the heater/AC will be working overtime to regulate the temperature and your bill will be higher. Unplug items you're not using. Even if it's turned off, keeping an item plugged in will continue to sap energy. If you're not using something, such as your computer, turn it off. Keeping it on all the time will wear it down faster. Consider carpooling. Do you live near someone you work with? Are they dependable? If so, consider driving together. It'll save you money in gas, and several states have lanes designated specifically for carpooling

10. Provide accurate tax information
- By consulting a CPA ( Certified Public Accountant) you find out what you can deduct (such as out of pocket medical expenses) and what may cause you to be audited. If you're not a tax pro, it may be in your best interest to pay a pro to prepare your taxes. Yes, you have to pay them, but chances are good that they'll get you more money than you would get on your own.