It’s the first week of the month and your salary has finished. Why? If you can’t comprehensively answer that question then this post is for you.

Your salary or income is what most determines your lifestyle. Being able to manage your money effectively can be the difference in how and when you achieve financial freedom. If you are struggling with managing money, here’s how you can build a money routine that will ensure you meet your financial goals.

1. Track your spending
The first step to managing your salary wisely is to know where every cent is going. Keep an eye on how much you’re spending and for what, especially when it comes to personal expenses.

Make use of tracking apps, spreadsheets or even a book and pen if that’s what works for you, but you should be able to account for every penny of your paycheck.

2. Stick to your budget
Budgeting is the baseline of all financial planning. It helps you stay in control of your money and allows you to keep a track of your expenses.

Plan for every expense carefully; whether it’s the 50-30-20 or 70-20-10 budgeting rule you intend to use, make a budget and stick to it.

3. Pay Off Debts
Another step to managing your salary wisely is to include a provision to pay off existing debt on time. It should be a priority when planning your salary.

Debt can be a heavy burden on your personal finances. You should consider paying them off as soon as possible once you start to generate a steady revenue stream.

4. Invest in what works for you
Besides an emergency fund, you should set aside some of your income towards investing for the future. You can start small while you figure out what option works best for you.

Depending on your age and your financial goals, create an investment plan and build a diversified portfolio to secure your future.

5. Treat yourself wisely
It's important to leave room for some of your wants to stay on track. If you don’t, you’ll be discouraged and eventually give into the pressure to splurge unnecessarily.

Just remember to keep it simple. If you want to buy yourself a gift, it should be budgeted for. Planning for your future doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your happiness in the present.

6. Automate your finances
Putting your money on autopilot is a really great way to successfully stick to your budget and financial goals. You can sign up for automatic debits or set up bill pay with your bank.

Do this for your savings, investments and bill payments to ensure they are paid on time. Make necessary adjustments occasionally to ensure everything is going as planned.

Final Thoughts
The biggest favour you can do yourself is to smartly manage your money once your salary is paid. To live a comfortable life, implement these habits to make it easy for you to manage money.

The best way to spend your money will always be to invest it. At OVERWOOD, you can monitor and track the growth of your investments daily. Visit www.overwood.ng today to safely invest towards reaching your investment goals.

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