{"id":270,"date":"2023-04-18T20:04:32","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T20:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogunitedpurpose.azurewebsites.net\/?p=270"},"modified":"2024-08-02T16:24:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T16:24:47","slug":"the-dos-donts-of-personal-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/the-dos-donts-of-personal-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Do\u2019s &#038; Don&#8217;ts of Personal Finance\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Importance of Personal Finance + How to Reach your Goals and Avoid Mistakes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personal finance entails the management of both individual and family finances, along with taking responsibility for future finances and setting goals. It\u2019s important to stay in control of our personal finances for a number of reasons, especially when the unexpected occurs. Through factors like potential Illness, job loss, and deaths in the family, personal finances can help us to continue moving forward. Global issues in recent years, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/diseases\/novel-coronavirus-2019\">COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>, have shown many families the importance of personal financing when it comes to planning for emergencies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Do\u2019s &amp; Don&#8217;ts of Personal Financing&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to stay in control of personal finance is necessary for all of us. This includes understanding how to reach financial goals, managing emergencies, and making ends meet each and every day. It can be rather complex to understand the different aspects of personal finance, so check out some tips as well as some things to avoid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DO #1: Form a Habit of Saving<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how small you start off, saving even just a little bit of money each week could benefit you in the long run. Some employers will allow you to split your paycheck between different accounts, such as 75% in the checking and 25% in the savings. You can also set a recurring transfer from your checking account to the savings account, the same day as your paycheck! Other automatic features you can consider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Auto escalate your 401k contributions: Some employers with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/retirement-plans\/401k-plans\">401k<\/a> offer the option to automatically increase your retirement savings by a certain percentage on a regular basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the change features in checking accounts: Some checking accounts will round up the purchases you make, leaving the change in your savings account. It is similar to the e-version of a piggy bank, and if you purchase an item for $5.60 as an example, it will round up to $6.00 and $0.40 will be put into your savings account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DO #2: Use Credit Cards and Pay Off Balances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the credit cards you use, some may offer rewards for travel or retail shopping, and even cash back. It\u2019s recommended for many to use a credit card that gives cash back on purchases to generate extra money towards savings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When using a credit card, it\u2019s important to spend wisely and primarily charge things that you know you\u2019ll be able to pay off. A high balance on your credit cards will have a negative impact on your overall score because the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/finance\/how-is-credit-utilization-ratio-calculated\">credit utilization ratio<\/a> is increased. Besides making payments each month and keeping track of the spending, other ways to improve your credit can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bring past-due accounts current: If you have past-due accounts on your credit report, bringing them current can help to rebuild your credit history. This will also include paying off any collection accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply for credit only in necessary circumstances: When you apply for credit, the lender will check your credit through an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experian.com\/blogs\/ask-experian\/credit-education\/report-basics\/hard-vs-soft-inquiries-on-your-credit-report\/\">inquiry<\/a>. Although these credit report inquiries have a small impact on scores, it&#8217;s best to apply for credit as little as possible.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Order your free credit score: When you order <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experian.com\/blogs\/ask-experian\/get-free-fico-score\/\">your free credit score from Experian<\/a> you will get a list of the top factors affecting your credit. Improving on these factors, and you will see an improvement in your credit score!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ClML6ZMsnED\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ClML6ZMsnED\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ClML6ZMsnED\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Experian (@experian)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DO #3: Control Impulse Buys<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a problem with buying things you don\u2019t need when you go out? You\u2019re not the only one guilty of this issue, and there are ways to create a plan and help manage your impulse buys. A popular thing to try is the 48-hour rule. If you\u2019re at the store or out shopping for example, give items that you \u201cwant\u201d but aren\u2019t actually on your list at least 48 hours to consider a second thought. If the item is still on your mind, budget and work to purchase it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DON\u2019T #1: Ignore Potential Benefits at Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you receive any employee benefits where you work? Not sure? It might be time to check out some HR benefits you may be eligible to receive. There are benefits at companies that often go underutilized, which can save employees up to hundreds if not thousands of dollars!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many companies offer rebates on health insurance premiums for wellness activities, like physicals and wearing fitness trackers. This means that many companies are basically paying their employees to be healthier. A 401k match is another major benefit, where you can invest as much to maximize the match because it is a 100% return on investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DON\u2019T #2: Invest Without Being Prepared<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easier than ever for people to find ways of investing these days, but it\u2019s much less worth it if you\u2019re not aware of all the potential risks. Your investments will lose value at some point, and there\u2019s no way of controlling the rises and falls of the stock prices. You should take the time to research and educate yourself about investing, and keep close attention to interest rates and investment minimums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A guideline set in place for the percentage of stock you should own is 110 minus your age. If you wanted to apply this guideline at age 45 for example, your portfolio would be 65% stocks and 35% bonds and cash. This kind of strategy will allow for maximum growth without too much risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSO94rNj22w\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSO94rNj22w\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSO94rNj22w\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, CFP\u00ae\ufe0f (@thefiscalfemme)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DON\u2019T #3: Restrict Your Budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Budgets are so miserable for the majority of us because they are just too restrictive! When we restrict ourselves too much, it can lead to the opposite intended effect which could involve overspending or buying unnecessary items.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/n26.com\/en-eu\/blog\/50-30-20-rule\">Follow the 50\/20\/30 method<\/a> for a manageable budget:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>50% of your income covers your required or fixed expenses\/bills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>30% of your income can go to discretionary spending.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>20% of your income should go towards debt payoff and savings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you pick up some of these financial habits and avoid some of these common mistakes, you\u2019re more likely to enjoy financial peace and worry about one less stressful aspect of life. Good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"tmnf_excerpt\">Importance of Personal Finance + How to Reach your Goals and Avoid Mistakes Personal finance entail\u2026<\/div>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-finance-budgeting-financial-literacy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Blog-21.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=270"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":365,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270\/revisions\/365"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unitedpurposemortgage.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}