Sometimes the strangest thing happens. Sometimes we have paid all of the bills at the end of the month and low and behold, we have extra money. Maybe we got a bonus at work. Maybe we got a discount on an essential bill. Whatever the case, sometimes you find yourself with some extra money at the end of the month. Before you throw a big party, let’s look at some things you could do that are financially smart when you have leftover money in your budget.
Pay Extra On a Debt
If you have an outstanding debt that you are making payments on, use the extra money to go towards paying down the debt. There’s no since in splurging if you have unpaid debts. Paying a little extra will put you that much closer to being debt free.
Put Extra In Your Savings Account
If your emergency fund is not fully funded, you can use the extra money for that. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency fund available. You never know what can happen in life. Having money set aside for the weird stuff that can happen will help your family out in the long run more than buying some gadget or going out to eat.
Put Extra In Your Retirement Account
If you have been putting money in a retirement account each month, use some of the extra money towards that. If you have a retirement plan that gives you tax advantages, put some of the extra money in that account. It’s always good to sock as much money into your retirement account as you can. Your retirement is not something you can afford to be cheap with. Put as much as you can in this account so you can live comfortable in your golden years.
Upgrade Your Computer
If you’ve done all of the things I’ve mentioned, look at your computer. How long has it been since you updated it? When was the last time you took it to someone to have them do maintenance on it? If your computer hasn’t been running at its optimal pace, use the extra money you have to get it looked at so you can find out what the source of the problem is. If you work from home, your computer has to be running right or you won’t be able to get any work done.
Pamper Yourself
When was the last time you went to the spa? Sometimes we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. If you’ve already done all the responsible things I just listed, use some of the extra money to do something good for yourself. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of anyone else.
Having extra money at the end of the month can be quite an awesome feeling. Pat yourself on the back for that great planning and discipline you showed this month. While it can be tempting to blow the extra windfall on some toy or trinket you have been eyeing, use some of these suggestions to make smart financial decisions that you can benefit from during the lean months that may come up. You’ll be ready for life’s surprises.
Bryan Miller has brought you this article on behalf of
http://www.cambist.co.za/.