While we all hope to have our personal finances in order all year long, a new year can give us a fresh start to change some of the areas that need improvement. This first post of the year should give you some ideas of what you can do to make 2010 the best year yet, for you and your finances!
Did you start a TFSA in 2009? If not, the good news is that you now have up to $10,000 worth of room for investing in a TFSA since you gain another $5,000 each year.
If you’d like to pay off more of your mortgage, try switching to bi-weekly payments or simply increasing the amount you pay each time. Even better, do both if you can!
The start of a new year is a good time to remember to check your credit reports. Once you receive them, you can calculate your credit score and look to improve your credit rating.
When your home or auto insurance term ends, check online for lower premiums and save even more by increasing your deductible.
Have debt to pay down? Try to get your credit card interest rate reduced to make your payments more effective at reducing your principle.
Look for ways to save money. Doing this will free up money to add to your savings. Once you’ve saved in as many ways as you can, you could find more money to save by looking for other sources of income.
Do you get a raise each year? Consider taking that increase and saving it each pay period. Using TD’s e-Series Funds in your RRSP would be a simple way to boost your retirement savings.
Whatever improvements you choose to make, each small change could make a big difference between now and retirement!
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Tom Drake is the owner and head writer of Canadian Finance Blog.
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Good suggestions! Any changes we make for the better are good ones and often inspire us to make more changes!
I agree on TFSAs as well. I think we all need to look at how this new tool can be used in our unique financial situation.
.-= 2 Cents´s last blog ..6 Remedies For a Debt Hangover =-.
Great ideas, I had some trouble with the 2x a month mortgage, problem was mortgage company wanted to charge extra for the service. so when they received seperate checks they wouldnt take the extra off the interest. Annoying but I just pay more monthly now.
Just a comment about TFSAs. You can invest up to $5000 for each year that you have had the account open, and any remaining balance from one year will carry on to the next. Meaning that if I invested $2000 in my TFSA in 2009, I can invest up to $8000 this year. However, this is only because I had the account open in 2009. If you were to open a TFSA right now, you would only be able to invest up to $5000 in it this year. The way you word it makes it sound as though someone who opens a TFSA right now can invest up to $10,000 which is not the case.
I might just follow your suggestion. It is really important to invest at this an early time.