PocketStrategy

     "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." 1. Pay Your Bills On Time This might sound obvious, but it's the most important thing you can do. Late payments will hurt your credit score. Make sure to pay all your bills on time.  2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low Credit utilization is the percentage of available credit that you're using. So, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit and spend $500 monthly, your credit utilization is 50%. A good rule of thumb is to keep it below 30%. The lower your credit utilization, the better it looks to creditors, which helps boost your score. 3. Don't Close Old Accounts You might think closing old credit accounts will help your score, but it can actually hurt it. A big part of your credit score is the length of your credit history. The longer you've ...

   "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." When it comes to managing money, one big question people often face is whether they should pay off their house early or invest. Both options have their pros and cons. This article will go over the reasons to pay off your mortgage early and why investing might be a better choice instead. Reasons to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early: Less Stress and More Freedom:  Not having a mortgage means no monthly payments, which can feel like a huge weight off your shoulders. It also gives you a sense of financial freedom and security. Save Money on Interest:  Mortgages come with a lot of interest over time. Paying off your mortgage early can save you a lot of money that would've gone to interest. Cash Flow:  Without a mortgage payment, you'll have extra money each mont...

 The best way to save money is to live below your means. But in today's world where prices constantly increase, that can feel challenging. This article will cover some effective yet easy tips to help you save money.       1. Budgeting:  Creating a budget is essential to managing your money. Track your income and expenses to see where you can cut back and allocate more toward savings or paying off debt.     2. Buying In Bulk : Buying things like snacks, toilet paper, or canned goods in bulk saves a lot of money. You get more for your cash, and it lasts longer     3. Using Coupons:  Take advantage of coupons and discount apps to save on everyday purchases. Whether it's for groceries or online shopping, a little extra effort can lead to significant savings.     4. Eat in:  Cooking at home is way cheaper than ordering food or going out. Plus, you can make bigger portions and save leftovers for later. It also tends to...

  "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." Dealing with debt can feel overwhelming, but this article will cover 2 popular ways to deal with debt. Each has its own approach, and the right one for you depends on your financial situation and goals. Debt Snowball Method: The Debt Snowball focuses on paying off your smallest debt first, regardless of the interest rate. Once it's paid off, you move to the next smallest debt, building momentum. Pros: Quick wins keep you motivated. Simple and easy to follow. Builds momentum and confidence. Cons: You might pay more in interest. Progress can feel slow on larger debts. Debt Avalanche Method: The Debt Avalanche focuses on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This saves you money in the long run and helps you pay off your debt faster. Pros: Saves...

   "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." Your 30s are a big part of your life, including career moves, starting a family, potentially buying a house, etc. However, it's also when small mistakes/bad habits add up. It could be not saving enough for retirement or overspending, things like this can hold you back down the road. This post will cover some of the biggest mistakes people in their 30s make and how to avoid them.       1. Lifestyle Creep: Depending on your job, you may get a few promotions throughout your 30s, one of the worst mistakes you can make is spending more just because you make more. It is tempting to upgrade your car or spend more on rent but doing that can eat into your savings. Instead, try to live below your means and save the extra income for paying off debt, savin...

   "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." What Is Lifestyle Creep? Lifestyle Creep is when you increase expenses after getting a raise. For example, you switch jobs and are now being paid an extra 10,000$ per year. Instead of saving or investing this money, you buy a new, nonessential Macbook. This limits your ability to build wealth and eventually be financially free. People may also spend money on new subscriptions, dining out, entertainment, etc...  Why It Happens?  Lifestyle inflation usually happens because people feel the need to match the spending habits of others, especially friends/family or even influencers online. When people see others on Instagram on vacation or buying luxurious goods, they feel left out, tempting them to spend money they may not have.  Signs Of Lifestyle Inflati...