Spring Cleaning: Tidy Up Your Finances
Spring cleaning is all about sweeping away the clutter of the past year to make way for a fresh start. But your house and yard aren’t the only things that could use a refresh – it's also a great idea to tidy up your personal finances. From forgotten subscriptions to old receipts, you may be surprised at what’s lurking in your accounts. So let’s open up the window and let some fresh air in with these financial spring cleaning tips from Origin Bank:
1. Spruce up your budget
A well-organized budget is the foundation of good financial health. It helps you keep track of where your money goes, ensuring you prioritize your funds to cover your expenses and meet your needs. Whether you’re trying to pay down debt, purchase a new home, or reign in your spending habits, budgeting is your friend.
If you already have a budget, now is a great time to give it a refresh. Are you spending within your means or going overboard? Can you spend less at the grocery store? Or negotiate better insurance rates? What about both? Review, and find areas where you can tighten up and cut back.
If you need help budgeting, utilize online resources like Origin's Personal Financial Management tool to track your spending.
2. Trim down subscriptions
From streaming services to yoga memberships, many people have more subscriptions than they can keep track of. And when your money is going in so many different directions, it can be difficult to reign it in.
When free trials turn into piles of monthly bills, it’s time to trim down your subscriptions.
Take a look at your bank account and make a list of all of your recurring payments. Pay special attention to duplicate services, and cut back where you can. Do you really need Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max? Is your monthly meal subscription as cost-effective as you hoped or should you return to traditional grocery shopping? Cancel where you can and keep a log of when your free trials end to keep more money in your pocket.
3. Know when to splurge
If you want to tighten up your budget this spring, you need to know when to opt for generic products. Most of the time, the only major difference you’ll see between name brand and store brand is in your pocketbook. So next time you’re at the grocery store, consider opting for generic paper towels or store-brand trash bags. If you're happy with these swaps, try branching out and trading in your name-brand peanut butter for the generic option. You can always switch back if you can taste the difference, but it’s worth a try. Your wallet will thank you.
4. Go paperless when possible
Smartphones and laptops have made mobile banking easier than ever. So if you’re still receiving paper statements from your bank or credit card company, consider going paper-free. Going paperless cuts down on clutter, so you can track your finances digitally instead of rifling through stacks and stacks of documents. Mobile banking resources like Origin’s online banking tools help you manage your accounts with the click of a button. Check account balances, pay bills, check transactions, and more. No matter where you are in the world, online banking makes managing and organizing your finances easy.
Looking for more financial spring cleaning inspiration? Origin Bank helps customers get their finances in check with educational materials, resources, and easy-to-use services. Check out our blog for more advice on how to make way for a fresh financial start, or click here to connect with a Trusted Advisor. We’re available 24/7 to assist with your financial needs and help you start your spring cleaning today.