5 Simple Ways to Transform Your Finances in 2024 (2024)

by Emma Healey

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If you’ve decided this will be the year you transform your finances, hats off to you.

It can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible to get your money back on track.

To help you get started (often the most difficult part) below is a list of steps I would follow if I was starting again from scratch.

1. Write a Budget Around Your Expenses

The big turnaround for my finances was budgeting around my core expenses, not what I had coming in.

It’s hard to wrap your head around at first but once you change this way of thinking, you’ll be better equipped to live frugally no matter what your income is.

I’ve recently started budgeting in a bullet journal which is great fun too. More budgeting ideas here.

2. Build an Emergency Fund

If you don’t already have savings, then an emergency fund should be your first priority.

Don’t even think about your debt until you have at least $1000 in the bank.

Why, you ask? Well, the reason most people have debt is due to unexpected expenses.

Even with the best of intentions, if you don’t have the means to cover an emergency you’ll head straight back into debt.

One of the best ways to make extra money is by taking online surveys for cash.

Both Swagbucks and Survey Junkie offer frequent, well-paid surveys online. Swagbucks also pays you to do simple things like search the net and play games online.Join Swagbucks today and get $5 FREE!

For more ways to save money,I’ve written a post about how to save your first $1000.

3. Kill Your Debt

Once you’ve written a budget and saved (at least) $1000 it’s time to make a plan to clear your debt.

The below list is tailored to credit card debt but you can tweak it for any type of debt.

Here’s how I like to deal with debt:

  • Find a balance transfer offer for as close to 0% and transfer your highest-interest bearing card there.
  • Cut up the card so you can’t rack up any further debt on it.
  • Set an automatic transfer for the amount you set aside in your budget.
  • Find out how frequently the card issuer allows you to reduce the credit limit. If possible reduce your credit limit every time to pay back $100. For example, if you have a $3000 limit on your card and you pay back $100 you now owe $2900. Call your card issuer and ask them to reduce your credit limit to $2900. Note: this technique might affect your credit rating, but it’s exactly what I did and I have had no issue securing lending to buy an investment property or getting insurance, so it hasn’t hurt me. Read more about it here
  • Rinse and repeat

Another tactic that really cured my debt addiction was to pay my debt in cash at the bank. It hurt so much handing over actual cash money.

But it helped to confirm in my mind that credit card debt was real money and not some never-ending slush fund created solely for my consumerism.

You can read more about how I changed my credit card maxing ways here.

4. Get Educated

Want to learn more about money? Well, do I have a list for you.

This list of the best personal finance books for beginnersincludes books that are easy to read and interesting, no boring analysis and jargon here, I promise.

I’ve read them all and would recommend them to my loved ones.

5. Set an Audacious Goal

Write a big hairy goal. Something out of your wildest dreams.

Take a year off to build an online business. Travel around the world for six months. Start a profitable blog. Become a stay at home parent.

Semi-retire in your 30s. BIG DREAMS, PEOPLE.

Stick your goal on the refrigerator door.

Debt repayment and ultra-frugal living can really suck sometimes, so having a visual representation of your goal in a place you visit often can help to keep you motivated in the tough times.

With dedication and a few simple tweaks, this year can be the best year of your financial life. It all starts with budgeting to live within your means.

Then by saving an emergency fund and making a get-out-of-debt plan you’ll be well prepared when the sh*t hits the fan.

As you go through this process you’ll slowly see your mindset towards money change and perhaps you’ll feel as I did when I was going through this; when you know how to use it, money is a powerful tool, not something to be feared.

I wish you all the best with it. Happy New Year!

5 Simple Ways to Transform Your Finances in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

5 Simple Ways to Transform Your Finances in 2024? ›

Key Findings

The federal funds rate is expected to drop by 150 basis points (1.5%), from 5.3% to 3.8%, by the end of 2024. Commercial lending rates are almost certain to drop alongside the federal funds rate, providing an opportunity for borrowers to refinance high-interest loans.

How to prepare for 2024 financially? ›

4 Tips to Financially Prepare for 2024
  1. Use your financial statements to make business decisions. What Financial Statements? ...
  2. Set goals and schedule time to check in. ...
  3. Make a plan to manage debt and follow it. ...
  4. Create and/or contribute to an emergency fund.
Jan 24, 2024

What are the financial changes for 2024? ›

Key Findings

The federal funds rate is expected to drop by 150 basis points (1.5%), from 5.3% to 3.8%, by the end of 2024. Commercial lending rates are almost certain to drop alongside the federal funds rate, providing an opportunity for borrowers to refinance high-interest loans.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the step 5 of financial planning? ›

Step 5: Monitor and evolve your financial plan

Review your personal financial plan every year or so. Start at the first step to get a snapshot of how your finances are doing, and make any necessary changes to the rest of your plan.

How to prepare for a recession 2024? ›

How to prepare yourself for a recession
  1. Reassess your budget every month. ...
  2. Contribute more toward your emergency fund. ...
  3. Focus on paying off high-interest debt accounts. ...
  4. Keep up with your usual contributions. ...
  5. Evaluate your investment choices. ...
  6. Build up skills on your resume. ...
  7. Brainstorm innovative ways to make extra cash.
Feb 22, 2024

How to get out of debt in 2024? ›

The debt avalanche method saves money on interest when you pay the minimum on all debts while putting extra funds toward the balance with the steepest interest rate. Once that costliest account is paid off, the extra funds move to the balance with the next highest rate until all debts are repaid.

What is the economic issue in 2024? ›

Economic growth is projected to slow in 2024 amid increased unemployment and lower inflation. CBO expects the Federal Reserve to respond by reducing interest rates, starting in the middle of the year. In CBO's projections, economic growth rebounds in 2025 and then moderates in later years.

Will there be a budget in 2024? ›

Budget Day in India introduced Interim Budget 2024 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focusing on direct tax proposals, GST, and roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047, with allocations for ministries and major schemes.

What is the money market trend in 2024? ›

The national average rate for savings accounts will be 0.3 percent by the end of 2024, McBride forecasts, while predicting an average of 0.35 percent for money market accounts. At the end of 2024, the top-yielding nationally available money market account and savings account are projected to be at 4.45 percent APY.

Is $4000 a good savings? ›

Are you approaching 30? How much money do you have saved? According to CNN Money, someone between the ages of 25 and 30, who makes around $40,000 a year, should have at least $4,000 saved.

What are the four walls? ›

In a series of tweets, Ramsey suggested budgeting for food, utilities, shelter and transportation — in that specific order. “I call these budget categories the 'Four Walls. ' Focus on taking care of these FIRST, and in this specific order… especially if you're going through a tough financial season,” the tweet read.

How to budget $4000 a month? ›

making $4,000 a month using the 75 10 15 method. 75% goes towards your needs, so use $3,000 towards housing bills, transport, and groceries. 10% goes towards want. So $400 to spend on dining out, entertainment, and hobbies.

What are the three S's for financial planning? ›

The Three S's
  • Saving. The methods for teaching money lessons have certainly changed. ...
  • Spending. A budget is an important financial tool that can teach children how to manage money responsibly. ...
  • Sharing.
Nov 18, 2022

What is the smart thing that you can do for your money? ›

Create a Spending Plan & Budget

If you are spending more than you earn, you will never get ahead—in fact, it's a sure sign that your finances are headed for trouble. The best way to make sure that your income is greater than your expenses is to track your expenses for a month or two and then create a budget.

What is the most common source of income after retirement? ›

Over two-thirds of retired Americans depend on Social Security as their primary retirement income source.

How will the economy be in 2024? ›

In calendar year 2023, the U.S. economy grew faster than it did in 2022, even as inflation slowed. Economic growth is projected to slow in 2024 amid increased unemployment and lower inflation. CBO expects the Federal Reserve to respond by reducing interest rates, starting in the middle of the year.

How to budget in 2024? ›

How to create a smarter budget for 2024
  1. Set aside money for savings each month. One key to creating a successful budget is thinking both short- and long-term. ...
  2. Autopay your credit cards. Using credit cards can be a good idea in certain cases. ...
  3. Cut subscriptions. ...
  4. Track your spending.
Dec 28, 2023

What is the financial resolution for 2024? ›

Start the year off right with these money resolutions for 2024, such as budgeting, automating investments and payments, step-up SIPs, investing in upskilling, prioritizing debt repayment, diversifying your investment portfolio, and building an emergency fund and insurance.

How much money should you make a year to be financially stable? ›

The median household income in the U.S. is just under $75,000, so it makes sense that the largest proportion of those surveyed (45%) said that it's possible to be financially stable by earning between $50,000 and $100,000 a year.

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