7 Steps to Take Now for Future Financial Payoff

With so much financial advice swirling around these days, it can get overwhelming, leading you to be unsure about just want you need to be doing now to be ahead in the future.

Instead of suffering through information overload, take a moment to consider the following 7 must-do’s to finding financial independent in your future:

Tuck a Couple of Bucks Away
When living paycheck to paycheck, it can be difficult to reach large savings goals you want to set for emergency funds, vacations and even college. Unfortunately, many people end up shrugging off the notion of saving anything when they figure they can’t possible save ‘enough’. However, if you save just a little bit at a time, you are still doing something. $5, $10. $20 a week in the bank account earning interest will add up.

Automate For Goals
Literally taking a $10 or $20 bill from your wallet and depositing it in the bank may seem easy enough but many people find that once the cash is in the hand, it is just too easy to spend. To commit to a savings plan, sign up for automatic deposits into an account with each paycheck. In addition to that savings, you also need to contribute to your 401k retirement account. Whatever amount you can afford within your budget constraints should be set up to transfer automatically, making it more likely the account will keep being funded. After some time, you’ll never even miss what’s being taken.

Get the Max From Your Company Match
If you are not contributing enough to your 401k to collect on the matching contribution from your employer, you are essentially throwing away good retirement money. If your company doesn’t provide a match program, you might qualify for a Roth IRA.

Roth IRA’s Are Good Investments
A Roth IRA brings tax-free income into your retirement years. This is a good deal as income tax rates are expected to rise to cover the federal deficits, You can invest a minimum of $600 with some companies.

Make an Extra Mortgage Payment Annually
Instead of paying the obligatory12 payments each year on your mortgage, make an extra one to cut 5 years off your loan time. Your payment can be split up over the year period to make it even more affordable. For instance, a $1200 mortgage payment divided by 12 months comes to an extra $100. Start making $1300 payments each month and save thousands on interest charges through the life of the loan.

Get Documented
While it is no one’s favorite subject, it is really important that your ducks are in a row in the event something should happen to you. See an attorney or find a DIY method to create a revocable living trust, a power of attorney for finances, a power of attorney for your health care, and a will.

Stay in Control
It can be too easy to say that there just isn’t any extra but chances are good you are still spending cash on things that are not necessities. Continue to go over your budget and track your spending so you know where you can make changes to find extra money to save and start setting bigger financial goals.