{"id":6513,"date":"2025-08-12T15:04:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T20:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpaulfcu.org\/?post_type=education&p=6513"},"modified":"2025-12-16T12:24:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T18:24:57","slug":"organizing-your-finances","status":"publish","type":"education","link":"https:\/\/stpaulfcu.org\/education\/organizing-your-finances\/","title":{"rendered":"Organizing Your Finances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Organizing your finances may seem like a chore, but once you try, you’ll find it’s better than deep cleaning your bathroom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into the topic of organizing your finances, here’s a pop quiz…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick – how much money is in your checking account right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly (or not), one of the biggest obstacles to always having money for everything you need – when you need it – is not having a system to track your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizing your finances is one of the three laws of smart money management. The second is The Law of 10 Cents (save 10 cents of every dollar you earn). The third is Enjoying the Wait (don\u2019t depend on debt). Getting organized takes time but doesn\u2019t require any drastic lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can organize your finances using software programs, apps, or online services such as Quicken. They work well \u2014 if you use them. Like if you’ve ever purchased a treadmill, getting started can feel like a commitment, but the key is to use your chosen method consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve entered information accurately, you\u2019ll have a full picture of what categories get what percentage of your income. For example, you might think you spend 5% of your income on groceries. But once you track your debit, credit and checks, it might show you that the percentage is closer to 12. A software program or online service makes it easy to see all this and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages aside, if you know you won\u2019t use the app, don\u2019t buy it. You might use a combination of Excel and Word to track where the money goes or simply use pen and paper. You need to track income, expenses, deposits, withdrawals, credit card use and every penny that leaves your possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you choose the pen and paper route, buy a special notebook exclusively for this purpose, or get a preformatted budget workbook. Figure out what works best for you and give yourself three to four hours to set it up. Schedule a few minutes every week to update your records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a member of St. Paul Federal Credit Union, you can also utilize our first budget worksheet<\/a> or grab one from our partnership with KOFE \u2013 Knowledge of Financial Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The payoff? You will know where your money is and how you spend it. This is the first step to making the changes that will positively affect your level of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizing your finances is easier than you think. Make it a habit and you’ll be on your way to financial fitness<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Organizing your finances may seem like a chore, but once you try, you’ll find it’s better than deep cleaning your bathroom! Before we dive into the topic of organizing your finances, here’s a pop quiz… Quick – how much money is in your checking account right now? 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