6 Tips to Improve Your Financial Organization + Free Material

Financial organization can be a great ally when it comes to controlling personal expenses, with the aim of achieving achievements and goals that involve any income planning.

So, when you're on a tight budget or even when you feel like you could be managing your own money better, it's time to sit down and write down all your expenses, how much money is going out and how much is coming in.

What is financial organization?

Financial organization means having ongoing, monthly control over the money coming in and out of your bank accounts. This control allows you to see how far you need to go to achieve your financial goals and the changes that need to be made to achieve them.

Furthermore, good personal financial organization helps protect you from future setbacks that could compromise your income.

6 tips to improve your financial organization

We've put together 6 incredible tips to help you discover what you can do to give yourself a financial boost in your expenses, as well as better control your personal spending:

1. Make a spreadsheet of your budget

Keep track of all your monthly expenses, analyze, and record all the data. To gain greater visibility, we've created a free spreadsheet to help you better manage your personal finances and simplify the process. You can download it by clicking the button at the end of this post. Or, if you prefer, you can download a personal finance app.

Keep track of all your income, fixed expenses, and other obligations to be paid each month. This information will make it easier to manage your finances, as you'll know exactly where your money is going and how you can save.

Divide your money into 3 parts:

1. The bills to be paid;
2. The amount you want to save to achieve a goal;
3. And finally, have a financial reserve, that is, money set aside just for emergencies (An emergency isn't having to do some shopping at the mall, or go out with friends, right?).

Once you've set these limits and are able to maintain them, you'll have learned more about financial literacy and will certainly be able to achieve your medium- and long-term personal goals. Just stay focused and turn your new attitudes into habits!

2. Make extra money

A great strategy is to try to increase your income, especially if you have some free time in your day. In other words, earning more without increasing your spending habits will strengthen your finances and help you achieve your goals faster.

There are countless opportunities to earn extra income. For example, there's a high demand for freelancers.

So, if you're an expert in something, don't hesitate to share your knowledge and skills to increase your income. Some ideas are:

– Give private lessons in your specialties, math, English, sewing, etc.;
– Edit videos and images for virtual content;
– If you are good at writing, write for corporate blogs;
– Invest in a home business;
– Provide independent consultancy in your area;
– Work as an app driver.

You can also sell furniture, electronics, utensils, and clothing you no longer use on specific platforms. This is a way to combine business with pleasure, getting rid of excess clutter and taking up space in your home.

Financial organization helps us understand what changes we need to make to our personal budget.

3. Pay off debts

Keeping your debts paid is crucial for financial control and organization. Therefore, don't forget to check your debts to stabilize your finances and make bigger leaps in the future.

Therefore, before achieving goals, prioritize pay off debtsTo do this, check your budget spreadsheet to see how much you should set aside each month to get out of debt. Once you've paid off your debt, you'll have the time and money available to plan for your bigger goals.

Negotiate your debts and seek out good payment options. The key is to avoid institutions that have high fees, abusive interest rates, and overdrafts. A good option might be a personal loan to consolidate all your debts into a single payment.

4. Cut waste

Basic expenses, such as electricity, water, gas, and internet, must be maintained to ensure survival. These are considered essential items. However, superfluous expenses need to be reviewed to achieve better financial management. But what can I save on? See below:

• Food: Buy smaller quantities of fruits and vegetables so they can be consumed and won't spoil in the refrigerator, thus avoiding waste. Choose popular brands with more affordable prices. And always check prices before going to the grocery store.
• Leisure: Choose free activities, such as parks, museums, and theater performances that offer free admission.
• Service plans: Renegotiate phone and TV packages, and review streaming services. Call your carriers and ask for a discount or research how much the same service costs at competitors.

When you put these expenses into perspective, you realize that a large portion of your budget can be reduced by cutting unnecessary expenses that don't impact your life at all. Practice detachment, even if it's temporary.

5. Use credit sparingly

A credit card isn't an extension of your salary. And while it has its advantages, paying in installments for everything you see can make you lose control and turn it into a villain. Before applying for a card, check the interest rates, administrative fees, and charges, and also whether the card offers benefits (points program, loyalty, miles, discounts, etc.).

Check the annual fee and whether the benefits are truly worth it. Don't have too many cards—two or three at most. Cancel any remaining ones to avoid using them impulsively. Avoid unpleasant surprises.

6. Start saving for your emergency fund

A financially healthy life requires an emergency fund. After all, life is full of unexpected events, both good and bad. And how can you face them without being prepared?

Therefore, invest in an emergency fund. Ideally, it should have enough to cover all your expenses for six months. Start small to avoid compromising your budget. Set aside a manageable amount to save and stay focused until you reach your fund. The key to financial organization is keeping your feet on the ground and being flexible enough to deal with unexpected events that affect your finances. But don't give up; staying on track with your goals is the best way to achieve them.

Financial spreadsheet

To simplify and contribute to your financial life, we've put together a simplified spreadsheet to help you on your personal financial organization journey. To download, just click the "I want my spreadsheet" button below and you'll be able to download your spreadsheet for free.

I WANT MY FINANCIAL SPREADSHEET