3 On Your Side: Spring Cleaning Your Finances
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When was the last time you took an honest look at your finances? As many of us start to tackle some spring cleaning, As 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds it may be a good time to clean up your money messes too.
Just like spring cleaning your home, now can be a good time to tidy up a household budget. With tax day around the corner, money is on the minds of many, especially those who have received a refund. Don't let that influx of cash throw a spending and saving plan off course.
Instead, if you don't have a budget, make one. If you do have one, review it to make sure it still fits your needs.
Credit.com recommends: Evaluating all income -- Calculating expenses -- Identifying the places where you can cut back, making sure there's enough left over to stash in an emergency fund.
America Saves, a campaign of the Consumer Federation of America recommends using a digital tool like a smartphone app or spreadsheet to keep track of spending over the course of a few months to see exactly where your money is going.
Then look for areas that can be trimmed so you can free up more cash to pay down high-interest debt. While cleaning up a budget for day-to-day expenses, don't forget to make room for longer term financial goals like retirement or college funds.
