We made it through another tax season, and I don’t know about you, but this is a definite cause for celebration, so a big CHEERS to us!
 
Now that you have thoroughly scrubbed your financial records, it’s the perfect time to continue your spring cleaning. Here are a few tips I have for you when it comes to your everyday finances:
 
Sweep up old spending habits. Spring is a great opportunity to throw out the things that no longer serve you. How often are you shopping, eating out, and spending unnecessarily?

Rinse off your trusty budget worksheet, and if you need an updated resource, I’ve linked one here for you. What are your financial goals for the next one, five, and ten years? Are you on target or do you need to make some adjustments?

Flush your late payments down the drain. It’s time to bring your account statuses back to current! Have a yard sale to raise some extra cash, or try a spending fast to find extra funds.

Spot clean your credit cards to be sure that their offerings still fit your current lifestyle and that the benefits create maximum opportunities for you to save.

Power wash your subscriptions! When is the last time you used that photo editing app? Do you need all the features of your Hulu account, or could you save with the base plan? Individually, you may only be spending a few extra dollars. But it adds up fast and could save you hundreds annually.

Tidy up your tax withholding. Sure, it’s exciting to get a lump sum after you file your taxes, but ultimately that means you’re loaning Uncle Sam your hard earned dollars interest-free. On the contrary, owing at the end of the year is no party. The ultimate goal is to have as close to a zero-dollar return as possible. Reviewing your tax withholding and making minor adjustments is a simple way to get you closer to your goal.

Detail your credit report for errors. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each year. Use this to your advantage and run your report every four months on a revolving basis to ensure there are no errors.
 
It might seem like a long list now, but as with all cleaning projects, pick one area to focus on, and complete each task one at a time.

Until next time, wishing you health, wealth, and happiness.

Marianna