Simple Financial Tips for 2009

Here is a short list of very simple items that can help anyone get their financial house in order for 2009. If you are thinking of buying a home in 2009, please call me at 843-209-9667 or email me at rsandin@carolinaone.com so we can get you with a mortgage lender to find out where you stand in regards to qualifying for a mortgage. There is no charge and the lenders I recommend will put you on the path to getting a loan if you have any issues with your credit.

Here are the other tips & they are very, very simple but the basics is the best place to start:

• Spend less than you make, make a budget & stick to it. You cannot get head if you overspend
• Have an emergency fund. Save at least 3 months of living expenses in case of a sudden job loss or unexpected expense...not a new tv but a major car repair or medical expense
• Save at least 10% of your income. Make that part of your budget as if you were spending it
• Pay off credit cards. If you use a card, pay it off each month, the fees you pay could be going to your savings
• Prioritize and pay off debt. List your debts from highest to lowest interest rates and start paying down the highest ones first
• Check your insurance. make sure your life, home and car are set at proper deductibles and cover your liabilities
• Check your will. Make sure you have a will in place and everything is current
• Consolidate your investments. If you have multiple investment accounts from past employers, it may save you on fees to combine into just one or two accounts