Avoid Common Financial Mistakes

By Mika Hamilton

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” -Oscar Wilde

A recent financial poll reports that in the past 20 years Americans have stopped saving and started spending. While the act of saving has declined by 15% in that time, the proportion of debt to income has doubled. Consumer spending is at an all time high and it only seems to be increasing. There are several common financial mistakes which many people fall prey to, that can easily be avoided.

Spending more than you make. Many people who find themselves in financial debt simply because they are over spending. People over spend not on the big things like houses and cars but all the little things no one ever keeps track of. These include that expensive cup of coffee in the morning, eating dinner out a couple of nights a week, renting movies, and alcohol. If you added up all your incidental expenses, you would realize they are not so incidental.

Subscription Payments. Most subscriptions you have automatically renew themselves. Long after you stop reading a magazine they will continue to go to house, clutter up your space, and cost you 20 bucks a month. Take an inventory of all your subscriptions and decide what you use and what you do not use. Make sure you cancel items which you no longer want.

Credit Card Use. Everyone has to use a credit card from time to time especially in emergency situations. However, living off credit cards is probably a good indication that you are in financial trouble. If you are an impulse buyer leave credit cards at home and window shop.

New Cars. While a new car can give the illusion of wealth it really just creates debt. New cars are not an investment and never appreciate. The minute your pull off the lot with a new car it drops in value. Unless you have the ability to put down a significant down payment on a car, avoid purchasing a new car. There are many other options available to you at half the price. Additionally, most people buy a car that is just too big for them. If you do not have a family of 8 then there is really no reason you need to have a gas guzzling SUV. Buy a car that is better on gas and is less expensive to insure.

Housing. Having a huge house is great, but it can cost a great deal of money to heat or cool a 4,000 square foot home. Especially if you do not have a large family there is no reason to purchase a home bigger then you need. Mortgages are long term debts that can not easily be paid off.

Visit the Global Investment Institute and signup for our free Investing For Beginners E-Course at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

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