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How Being a Smart Driver Can Help You Control Your Finances

September 13, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

Side view of an elderly man in glasses driving a car on a sunny summer day

If you find yourself struggling with debt and financial uncertainty, taking control of your finances may feel unobtainable. However, the feelings of discomfort shouldn’t make it feel unessential. One often overlooked aspect of regaining financial stability is becoming a competent and responsible driver. Your choices behind the wheel can have a notable impact on your budget. Consider being a smart driver to gain control of your financial situation.

Lower Insurance Costs

When you’re in a financially precarious situation, every dollar counts. One of the most direct ways to save money is with a reduction of your insurance costs. Responsible driving behavior includes obeying traffic laws and avoiding accidents. If you want to keep your insurance premiums low, you should maintain a clean driving record. The less you spend on your insurance means you have more money to budget.

Focus on Fuel Efficiency and Savings

Fuel expenses are a hefty chunk of your monthly budget. Being a smart driver includes adopting fuel-efficient habits. You may be surprised to find that keeping your tires properly inflated keeps your vehicle fuel-efficient. Driving at a moderate speed and keeping your car maintained also help you save at the gas pump.

Another consideration is adding a turbocharger, which can save a significant amount on fuel. According to AutoDeal, turbochargers can magnify the efficiency capabilities of an internal combustion engine by anywhere from 10% to 30%. Talk to your mechanic about installing a turbocharger in your vehicle to learn more about the costs associated with this service.

Minimize Repair Expenses

Regular maintenance and responsible driving can reduce the likelihood of costly repairs. Expensive repairs can add up quickly and become a significant financial burden for someone requiring control of their finances. If you are looking to extend the life of your car, seek assistance whenever an issue arises with your vehicle.

Reduce Risk

Motor vehicle accidents pose a risk to your physical health and financial stability. According to Just Great Lawyers, there are more than 2.3 million people sent to the hospital from motor vehicle-related injuries each year. Responsible driving can greatly reduce the risk of accidents. To reduce the chances of high medical bills, avoid distractions and stay focused on the road while driving.

Choose Affordable Transportation

If you’re facing financial difficulties, reconsidering your methods of transportation may make all the difference. Owning and maintaining a car can be cost prohibitive. If possible, explore substitute options like carpooling and public transit. These services reduce the financial burden of vehicle ownership.

Be cautious when looking for financial help through a loan. In challenging financial times, some individuals turn to high-risk financial options like car title loans. These loans require your vehicle as collateral to borrow money. According to BankRate, they often come with exorbitant interest rates, as high as 25% to 50%. Take the time to consider all of your options before taking on a loan such as this to avoid falling further into debt.

Smart Budgeting

Creating a budget is primary to reclaiming control of your finances. Being an intelligent driver should be integrated into your budgeting efforts. Allocate a specific portion of your budget for vehicle-related expenses. You want to be sure to include insurance, maintenance, and potential repairs. When you’re able to stay within the parameters of your budget, you can manage your finances more effectively.

Being a competent driver means making responsible choices that align with your financial goals. When you give your attention to actions related to safety and fuel efficiency, you can reduce your expenses. These aspects of being a smart driver contribute to your financial well-being. Even when faced with challenging condition, you can recover control of your finances.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

An Update on Our 2023 Financial Goals

September 4, 2023 By MelissaB Leave a Comment

Mount Fuji in the background with a woman in a kimono facing the mountain in the foreground

Back in December 2022, I shared two big financial goals my husband and I had for 2023. The good news is that we’ve partially achieved those goals, but as usually happens with life, not in the way we had imagined nine months ago when we set the goals.

Goal #1: Prioritize Domestic and International Travel

Our goal in December 2022 was to travel both domestically and internationally.

Domestic Travel

Domestically, I wanted to travel to Maine. Unfortunately, that did not happen. We did not travel domestically this year and likely won’t next year, either.

International Travel

Internationally, we wanted to save money for a trip to Europe. (We knew we wouldn’t take that trip in 2023 but wanted to save for it.) Unfortunately, we were not able to do this, either.

However, we did take our family on an 11-day trip to Japan to visit my husband’s family for the first time since our kids were born. (They’re all teens now.) We found out in January 2023 that my father-in-law’s cancer had returned, so we set aside our other travel goals and prioritized traveling to visit my husband’s family, and we’re happy we did!

Goal #2: Buy a New Car for Mostly Cash

Side view of a Toyota Corolla Cross

We saved for a new car for several years. Regrettably, the market was hot. when we needed to buy the car. If we could have waited until the market stabilized, we would have, but we couldn’t.

I would have loved to have bought another minivan, but that was outside the budget. Instead, my husband and I decided on a Toyota Corolla Cross.

We wanted to take out a car loan for $10,000 or less but had to go a bit higher. The car price fit our budget, but we neglected to consider the expenses beyond the sticker price such as tax (wow, was that a lot!), a warranty, and gap insurance. We ended up with a car loan of $16,800. We’ve had the loan for six months now, and the balance is down to $15,041, so we’re making progress on paying it off early.

While we’re disappointed that the car loan wasn’t smaller, we’re also excited that we were able to pay a significant chunk down on the vehicle. Ideally, by the time we need to buy my husband a replacement vehicle, we can put even more down on his car so that over time, the amount we need to finance gets smaller and smaller each time we buy a new vehicle. (We keep our cars until well over 200,000 miles, so we don’t buy cars frequently.)

Final Thoughts

I’m happy that we accomplished our two primary goals for 2023—traveling internationally and buying a new vehicle. Like so many things in life, our plans didn’t work out exactly as we hoped. However, travel worked out better than expected because we prioritized seeing family we hadn’t seen in over 20 years. We created memories with older family members; Europe and Maine can wait a few more years.

Read More

Why Buying a Toyota Sienna Was One of Our Best Decisions

4 Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

Haggling or No Haggling When Buying a Car?

Filed Under: Goal Setting Tagged With: financial goals, new car, travel

How Routine Care From Professionals Helps You Avoid Significant Costs

August 31, 2023 By Erin H Leave a Comment

You may be facing a significant amount of financial responsibilities and challenges with costs rising every day. As a result, looking for ways you can avoid substantial costs is the best strategy when trying to stay out of debt. Routing care, like many valuable approaches, is often overlooked. This article will take a look at how routine care from professionals can help you take care of your finances.

Oral Health Maintenance Saves on Dental Bills

The preeminent way to prevent costly dental issues is with regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Catching dental problems early can spare you from more complex and expensive procedures. The good news is as of 2023, in the United States, there are 185,897 dentists’ businesses, according to IBISWorld.

You never know when a dental emergency will pop up. Routine dental care helps identify potential issues before they escalate into emergencies. Find local dental professionals in your area who work with most insurance providers so you can get the care you need without having to break the bank.

Prevent Water Emergencies to Save Home Damage

According to JB Water Damage Restoration, industry estimates suggest that 14,000 people in the U.S. experience a water damage emergency every day. In addition, 98% of basements will suffer some amount of water damage. Regular maintenance of plumbing systems prevents the need for costly water damage restoration. This variety of maintenance can identify leaks while allowing you to address water issues quickly. Look into affordable basement waterproofing contractors in your area as well to avoid issues regarding flooding.

Safeguard Assets through Professional Care

Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional detect health issues early. In the same way, routine maintenance for your possessions can rescue you from unexpected expenses. This type of maintenance often looks like oil changes for your vehicle and tune-ups for appliances.

Reviewing your insurance policies falls under necessary personal routine maintenance. Included in this review process should be consulting legal advisors for finances. This step provides protection when you need to be within legal standards and requirements. These measures help you stay financially stable and out of debt.

Roof Maintenance Prevents Whole House Destruction

According to Bob Vila, the average homeowner pays over $9,000 for roof replacement services. To avoid these costly replacements, make good use of routine roof inspections and maintenance. These result in the ability to identify minor issues before the damage becomes significant. If you find concerns, you can repair them at a small percentage of the cost of a complete replacement. When repairs are no longer feasible, find a roofing company that offers discounts for replacements.

Create a Culture of Responsibility with Finances

When you embrace routine professional care, it’s reflective of a mindset of proactive financial responsibility. Even better is that this mindset expands to many aspects of life, including budgeting and investing. When you don’t protect yourself properly, significant cost increases can lead to increased debt. When you invest time into your routine care, you can reduce the possibility of being caught unaware of financial setbacks. These scenarios may result in borrowing money, leading to further debt.

Choose Professional Expertise to Assist You

The right professionals do more than help you make informed choices to save money. They’re instrumental in your overall financial stability. This type of routine care supplies peace of mind. Ask your family and friends for referrals in order to feel confident in hiring routine care providers in your area.

Incorporating routine care from professionals into your life creates a strong foundation for a healthier financial future. Routine care serves as a powerful tool to steer you clear of debt and achieve financial freedom. Utilizing these measures today helps you be proactive. You will find you’re working towards an unshakeable and prosperous tomorrow.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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