In Control Financially
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I took the Financially Fit quiz over at Bills IQ and I scored a “B”. I suppose that’s OK, but at the end I was told I definitely need to have a more recent look at my credit score and credit report. I have not done that since I had an issue with identity theft three years ago.
Back then, I had pretty good credit. Being married to my ex had taken the score down a little bit, since his financial habits were not as structured as mine. I am working to rectify that now, but I have one pesky collector who has been chasing me for eight years. It is from Verizon from back at the beginning of my marriage. We closed an account and although we had fulfilled the contract, the company keeps trying to tell us we have penalty fees to pay. We have spared with probably a dozen collection agencies and now I am on my own, since I’m divorced and the bill was in my own name. Bad move on my part, I suppose – having the bill in my name. Debt relief is not a huge issue for me, but I want to be educated.
Anyway, just going through the quiz questions showed me some of the ways I could be my finances more under control. I have a budget in my head, but I have never sat and worked up a REAL budget. I should have a more firm number when it comes to what I can spend monthly to eat out or go to movies or buy clothes for me and my daughter. My investments could surely be updated, and I need to start contributing to my IRA again. Those are just a few things that I need to get on top of soon.
Also, although I am saving for a down payment on a home, the quiz results told me that I need to look at what I can afford NOW, so that I know how much to save and how long it will take. That’s a valid point and I need to get some input from someone in the know, based on what I expect to be making soon as a teacher.
I was reminded about the pre-paid college plan we purchased here in Florida after my daughter was born. That helped me feel better about her tuition, but I still need to think about local fees and housing – not to mention those super expensive books.
Money and the planning of finances are things you need to think about a whole lot more often than most of us want. However, it’s always smart to be the one controlling your budget and finances, instead of them controlling you.
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