When we think of getting our financial house in order, we often focus on big moves that make the most significant impact but there are small steps you can take that when combined can make a significant difference in your financial wellbeing.

Schedule time to check on your accounts

Set aside a block of time each week to check on your financial accounts. Review your statements, check your spending and make any changes you need to make. By regularly monitoring your accounts you will know exactly what is happening with your money and you will spot anything unusual that could indicate fraud or identity theft.

Create a budget

A budget shows you exactly where your money is going. Use it to calculate your income and expenses. Living within your means is key to financial success and a budget helps you do that.

Create an emergency fund

An emergency fund is money you have on hand to cover emergencies and unplanned expenses, having money in an emergency fund ensures that you will be prepared for sudden expenses, and you can handle those expenses more easily. Unemployment, illness, family emergencies and home and auto problems can happen without warning.

Reduce your debt

Financial health can be negatively impacted by carrying too much debt. If you have credit card debt work on paying it off and then don’t allow it to creep back in. You might focus on paying down the highest interest cards first or pay off the cards with the smallest balance first. Choose the method that works best for you. If you have loans, consider making an extra payment each month or pay a little bit extra each time to pay them off sooner.

Maintain a healthy credit score

A healthy credit score helps you get better interest rates on loans, credit cards and lines of credit and many insurance companies and landlords look at your credit score when making a decision. A healthy credit score is one key to financial wellness.

Unsubscribe to email solicitation

Go through your inbox and unsubscribe from marketing email’s. These are designed to get you to click and spend. By unsubscribing you remove the temptation to spend money on things you don’t need.

List your financial goals

Make a list of what you would like to accomplish financially. This could be paying off your mortgage, paying off a credit card, saving for a vacation or fully funding an emergency account. Having clearly defined goals keeps you focused on what you want to accomplish.

Note small victories

When you are trying to save money, you might make small choices each day that overtime make a significant difference in the amount of money you are saving. Write these down in a notebook so that you can look back and appreciate all of the small sacrifices you have made. It might be things like skipping takeout coffee on your way to work or resisting the urge to buy another pair of shoes. All these decisions are important and seeing them in writing shows you the positive steps you are taking each day.

Kick a bad habit

Do you have bad habits that are holding you back financially? Things like impulse shopping, eating out too often, or spending too much on unnecessary expenses can really add up over time.

Disposable Items

Often, we don’t think twice about throwing away items we consider disposable but take a second look at some of these things. Aluminum foil, plastic bags, zip-lock sandwich bags, plastic containers and bottles and other common items can all be washed and used again. You can save a lot of money by reusing instead of throwing away.

Set a savings goal

Try setting a savings goal for upcoming expenses, it could be holiday shopping, a weekend trip, a family vacation, a kitchen remodel or anything that will require a significant amount of money. Once you choose a goal break it down into weekly or monthly payments. For example, if your goal is to save $1,000 for a weekend trip save $100 a month for 10 months to meet your goal. Using money you already have to cover these expenses prevents you from going into debt to pay for them.

Review subscriptions

Review any recurring expenses like streaming services, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, gym memberships and food delivery services and cancel any you no longer need or use enough to justify the cost.

Renegotiate & shop around

Call your insurance company, internet provider, cell phone service provider and any other companies you do business with and ask about a lower rate. If they cannot offer a lower rate, shop around. With so many companies competing for customers you can very often find a lower cost service. I went from spending over $100 a month on TV to zero by installing an antenna and using all free streaming services and switched cell phone providers and am saving $80 a month.

Choose the best bank or credit union

Not all banks and credit unions are the same. Shop around for a bank or credit union that offers the best rate of return on your money. You might find the highest yield on a savings account from an online bank, or your local credit union may offer better rates and services than a traditional bank.

Automate your finances

Setup bill pay through your bank so that your monthly bills are paid automatically each month. Since the payment are automatic you will never have to worry about making a payment on time.

Check out community resources

Start with your local library, community center, or tourism office to see what kind of free services and discounts they offer. You can find free events and activities for the whole family such as museums, zoos and park tickets. Libraries do more than just lend books. They lend movies, power tools, kitchen gadgets, toys, games and more. Many offer free apps like Kanopy, Hoopla & Libby that let you download free audiobooks, movies, TV shows, eBooks, music and more.

No matter which tips you try, any steps you take toward ensuring your financial health are steps worth taking.