If you don’t keep track of them, finances have a nasty habit of becoming a mess that you need to dig yourself out of. It’s far too easy to get sucked into a black hole of debt and financially unhealthy spending habits without even noticing.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. While it takes a little work, it is possible to organize your finances and get back on your feet. In time, you can even become financially independent and enjoy a far more secure situation. Here are some tips to help you out.

#1: Work Out Your Situation

The first step to solving any problem, financial or otherwise, is to establish where you stand. Whether you prefer to use spreadsheets or pen and paper, keep track of how much you’re earning, spending, and how much you have in your bank account. 

Compile the records onto a single document so that you can easily see what’s going on. Once you have a record of your typical financial situation, you’re able to do something about it. 

#2: Budget

Now that you know what your finances look like, you need to set a budget to control your spending. Many people like to use mobile apps to help them to create a budget. Check out these app reviews to find the best apps for your situation. 

Whether you use an app or just tackle your budget yourself, the same principles apply. Your budget should include all of your expenses, including credit card debts, groceries, bills, and other spending. Some of these can’t be cut down, but you might be surprised at how much you spend without realizing it. 

When budgeting, you should have a goal in mind. This will help you to know where to make the cuts that you need. One great goal is to get rid of any outstanding debts, which will reduce your spending in the long term.

#3: Pay Off Debts

It’s easy to accumulate debt before realizing how far you’ve fallen, but there are a few strategies that can help you get out of it. If you’ve set a budget, then you could consider restricting your spending to essentials until you’ve paid off most of your outstanding debts.

One method that could help you is known as “snowballing”. In this technique, you pay off smaller or more high-interest debts as quickly as possible, while paying the minimum rates on the others. Once you’ve cleared that debt, you can move on to the next one and repeat the process. 

No matter how you choose to pay off your debts, it’s always best to pay as much as you can towards them, rather than only paying the minimum amount each month. It will save money in the long run.

#4: Save and Invest

Speaking of saving, you shouldn’t consider yourself off the hook once you’re debt-free. Instead, you should keep some money aside for the future or for a large upcoming expense or emergency. A financial planner can help you to save or invest your money more efficiently.