When It Comes to Spending, Procrastination Can be a Good Habit

Procrastination is usually a bad habit. Procrastinating at work can cost you your job. Procrastinating on exercise can leave you unfit. However, there is one time when putting something off can actually help: buying. If you want to buy something or want to spend money, get into the habit of procrastinating. Putting off spending cash nips impulse spending in the bud and saves you money. In many cases, you may find that the item you wanted or thought you needed isn’t so important after all – and you’ll have spent a bundle.

Here’s how it works: lets say you find something you really want to buy. Rather than snap it up and put it on your credit card, walk away. If you’re worried about the item being gone, have a sales person put it on hold for you. Take a walk around the block. For larger or more big-ticket items, give yourself at least a few days. Can you find the item for less elsewhere? Do you still think that you adore the item that much? A cooling down period often shows you what you really want and what you’re casual about and can live without.…

Tax Season Is Fast Approaching – Here’s How to Get Ready!

Tax season is just around the corner, and you want to be ready. Start by reviewing your current situation. Do you owe money on taxes? If so, now is the time to pay them off or start repaying them, before the new tax amounts are added in. If you have lots of payday loans with bad credit, credit card debt and other debt, consider paying these down as well, in case you owe money on this year’s taxes. Second, you will want to gather up your financial records. Ideally, you keep all your financial slips, receipts, and other documentation in one place. If not, you will need to hunt these pieces of paper down. Start now to ensure that you have everything you need for tax season.

Next, determine how you will pay taxes. If you don’t have an accountant but need one, start looking for one now – this is a busy time of year for most financial professionals, so you will need extra time to find the right professional. If you decide to file your own taxes, get the right paperwork or the right software to help you and get familiar with the process now. You don’t want to be doing your taxes at the last minute.

Should You Work Freelance?

Freelance work means that you work for yourself, not for a specific boss. You are free to work for whoever you wish. You set your own hours and do the sort of work you want to do. Many consultants, for example, work freelance. Many people dream of working freelance, but this type of work arrangement has its pros and cons:

Pro: You will have more freedom in your work as well as more control. You will be able to set your hours, determine your career path and decide on your hourly wage. You will have an easier time reaching financial goals, potentially, since you will set your hourly wage and will be able to choose your working hours.
Con: You will be wholly responsible for your career path. You will have to pay your own health insurance, pay into your own retirement fund, and do your own prospecting. Nothing will get done unless you do it. If you make mistakes, you will need to face them and rectify them as quickly as possible.
Pro: You may be able to charge higher per-hour fees than you garner in your current work.
Con: You may have a harder time getting personal loans or other types of credit.…