Professionals of all trades assemble a toolkit that helps them do their job quickly and efficiently. Since managing your finances professionally is one of the best ways to get your money on track, you need a personal finance toolkit. Fill it with as many of these bright ideas as you can.
1. Plan Your Spending
You don?t need a to-the-penny budget, but plan your expenses so you spend less than you make.
2. Automate Everything
Automate savings to pay yourself first, and bills to avoid late fees.
3. Use Shopping Lists
Never go shopping without one, and don?t buy things if they?re not on the list.
4. Plan Your Meals
This keeps you eating in, and means buying just what you need at the grocery store.
5. Buy Generics
They perform comparably to name brands at a fraction of the price.
6. Maintain Air Pressure in Your Tires
This alone can improve your gas mileage by up to 30 percent.
7. Ditch Subscriptions
Admit it ? you never read them all. The same goes for unused Internet service subscriptions.
8. Review Your Insurance
Compare rates to competitors. Asksk your agent for discounts you might have missed. Make sure you need every policy you?re paying for.
9. Hold Regular Finance Meetings
Do this with your spouse, or another accountability partner, to make sure your real spending matches your plan.
10. Review Your Bank Accounts
Check for fees, rewards and other factors to compare. Switch banks to get the best deals.
11. Use the Library
Not just for books, but for DVDs, music CDs and other media. Some libraries even check out passes to local museums and other attractions.
12. Cook Dinner
You can make dinner for half or less of the cost of going out, and have leftovers so you don?t need to buy lunch.
13. Maximize Customer Rewards
From restaurant punch cards to complex cash back programs, this adds up to real savings over a year.
14. Wait 30 Days for Major Purchases
Use the time to research prices, brands and other options ? and to make sure it?s something you really need.
15. Kill Your Addiction
Whether it?s cigarettes, gourmet lattes or cocaine, you have better things to spend your money on.
16. Never Buy New Media
Buy used for half the cost ? or get them for free at media swaps or the library.
17. Never Buy New Cars
They lose 20 to 40 percent of their value as soon as you drive them off the lot.
18. Program Your Thermostat
You?ll never remember to turn it off or down all the times you need to.
19. Gift Creatively
A handmade gift or sincere poem is cheaper and more meaningful than another gift card.
20. Observe Scheduled Maintenance
It can save thousands over waiting for your appliances or cars to break down.
21. Switch to CFL Bulbs
This cuts your lighting bill drastically. Better yet, invest in LED for greater savings.
22. Buy Luxuries on Purpose
If you love your fancy razor or sports car, that?s okay ? but never go top of the line by default.
23. Avoid Extended Warranties
They?re designed for profit and not worth the premiums.
24. Drive the Speed Limit
Avoid costly tickets, keep your insurance rates low and improve gas mileage all at the same time.
25. Ask for Fee Waivers
Every time you get charged one. You?ll be surprised how often this works.
26. Take a Walk
It reduces medical costs, and is much cheaper than a gym membership.
27. Talk With Your Loved Ones
Make sure you?re on the same financial page, and help each other achieve your goals.
28. Reuse Grocery Bags
Use them for trash bags instead of buying them separately.
29. Kill Your Land Line
Unless you lack a cell phone, that land line is just wasted money.
30. Avoid Credit
Live within your means, save up for large purchases instead.
What other tips can you add to the list?
Photo Credit:?Wonderlane
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