Got Big Dreams?

Whatever your #MoneyGoals, Alexa von Tobel, CEO of LearnVest and author of Financially Fearless, has a plan to turn them into reality.

- Alexa von Tobel

“We make a tonne of small, financial decisions every day. Do you buy a fancy salad for lunch, or cook and carry? Should you move out on your own, or get a roommate? Your little decisions will be smarter (and stress you out less) if you set some bigger picture financial goals. Name your dream, and see how everything falls into place.

GOAL 1

PAY OFF CREDIT CARD DEBT

Kudos to you! Tackling debt is the first step to meeting other money goals. To start, create a realistic monthly budget (accounting for expenses like rent, groceries, and building up emergency savings), and stick to it. If you can swing it, take on some short-term, extra work—anything helps. Then, switch to a cash-only diet. Credit cards can come with sweet rewards, but you shouldn’t pull out the plastic until you can pay your bill in full each month. Prioritise credit card debt over loans, and pay off the card with the highest interest rate first. If your rates are steep and your debt may linger long term, look into transferring the balance to a new card. [Search bankbazaar.com for cards with zero percent APR (Annual Percentage Rate), and read the fine print about transfer fees and introductory rates.]

GOAL 2

START YOUR OWN BUSINESS