For people with tight money situations it may seem close to impossible to create a plan for upgrading your finances. However, saving money and making the most of your personal means is not a hard thing to do, especially with the technological opportunities available today. By using these tips, upgrading your finances in the coming year is not only a realistic goal but also a way of bettering your financial situation.
Work with Your Social Media
With the emergence of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and other opportunities it’s easy to stay on top of new trends and get an inside look at companies that you admire.
Be a Fan of Savings!
Retailers are paying attention to their fans and followers more than ever and are providing great deals, coupons, and early-bird sales among their social media friends. This can lead to a drastic price cut for items that you would normally buy and a first look at possible sales! A lot of companies also promote their business by providing free samples or sending savings coupons to avid shoppers.
Socially Acceptable Customer Service
If you have a problem with a company’s products or lack of service, one of the best ways to get retailers attention is through social media. Your complaint has a lot more power when it’s being broadcast to all of the company’s potential customers and frequently they will send you a complimentary coupon, refund, or free product in order to get back in your good graces.
Filing a complaint shouldn’t be insulting even if you feel angry about the way you’ve been treated. When you act professionally, it encourages the company to act professionally as well.
Applying Your Apps
There are apps for virtually everything imaginable, including savings! Using your apps to find great deals is a great way to upgrade your finances and all it costs is a little time. There are several different types of apps available meant to save you time and help you get the most bang for your buck!
Pricing Apps
Great apps are available for checking different item prices. By scanning bar codes, you can figure out if the same item is less expensive elsewhere, allowing you to make responsible decisions about your shopping while saving you tons of time that would otherwise be spent poring over sale ads.
Coupon Apps
Several apps and websites provide coupons online! These coupons can easily be scanned and saved onto your phone, preventing the need of carrying around dozens of paper coupons that can easily be damaged or lost. If you’re a fan of buying for less, this is a great way to upgrade your finances!
Reach Out to the Online Community
More and more people are gathering online to buy, sell, and trade items. This is a great way for shoppers to get a great deal on mildly used merchandise that wouldn’t be able affordable otherwise. By reaching out to the online community and seeking help with various projects or finding items, you can upgrade your finances and meet new people at the same time!
Online Fundraising
For many people starting out or in difficult financial situations, it can be hard to figure out how to manage when unexpected expenses occur. However, thanks to online fundraising, there is a way! Whether it’s fixing a vehicle that suddenly broke down, affording surgery, or replacing drywall, sites like Kickstarter and other online fundraising communities can make a big difference when you need some help upgrading your finances!
Buy and Sell Online
Buying and selling items online has never been easier! Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, Tradesy, and other sites make it easy to buy and sell used items. In a lot of cases, you can even find free items that are slightly used but in good condition!
Safety First
Although taking advantage of online opportunities is a great way to upgrade your finances, being sensible and taking necessary precautions can help prevent you from losing money or being scammed.
Meet in Person
Any reasonable trader will meet up in person in order to swap goods or receive payment. Never pay in advance until you’re sure that you are actually getting what you bargained for and not being scammed.
When meeting in person, protect yourself by bringing a friend, meeting in a public place, and asking to test the item to make sure that it works.
Avoid Financial Information
Try to keep from leaking your personal finance information over the internet. This includes things such as mentioning how much money you make, your credit score, what bank you use, or any other personal information. Scammers and hackers can use this information against you and find ways into your account. The best rule of thumb? If you’re not sure if it can be used against you, don’t share it.