FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Whether you call it a budget, a game plan or a financial blueprint, tackling debt often seems easier said than done.<\/p>\n
“When you think about your budget, it’s really about knowing where your money’s coming from, where it’s going to, what your goals are and how to use those funds to your advantage,” says Experian Senior Director of Public Education and Advocacy, Rod Griffin. “In a recent survey, 50% of people, actually more than 50% of people, told us they want to save more.”<\/p>\n
Griffin says the path to paying down debt and saving starts with looking ahead.<\/p>\n
“Start with your goals, and that can be very motivating if you set goals for yourself,” he said. “Not necessarily around money. Don’t make money the goal. Instead, make something you want to achieve this year a goal and then decide how money works toward achieving that goal.”<\/p>\n
Griffin says tax filing season is a good opportunity to look at your spending habits.<\/p>\n
“With tax season coming, if you know you’re going to get a return, that should be part of your budget,” he said. “You may not know exactly how much you get, but you soon will. You can do both. You could put some money in a savings account and pay down the debts you owe.”<\/p>\n
Checking your credit report can help you identify any debts and risk factors.<\/p>\n
Boosting your credit score by paying off debts can help you qualify for low-interest credit cards.<\/p>\n
“We may be faced with what I think was the holiday hangover still a bit, so if we use credit cards over the holiday season, still trying to pay down those debts, you may be facing other kinds of bills,” Griffin said.<\/p>\n
He also says it’s important to note that a budget isn’t fixed.<\/p>\n
“You may have started with something in January,” he said. “It may have changed already, and you can go in and make adjustments. That’s really key to understanding. Budget shouldn’t be restricting; it should be a tool that helps you reach your goals.”<\/p>\n
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