10 Ways to Simplify Your Finances and Enrich Your Life

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Modern lifestyles pull us in all directions. It’s no wonder we are overwhelmed and stressed out by our busy schedules and cluttered homes.

UCLA researchers even wrote a book on the subject — “Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century” — and revealed that many families have garages too full to accommodate cars, backyards that are never used and moms with elevated stress hormones.

If you’re ready to step off the hamster wheel, here are some basic strategies to simplify your life.

1. Consolidate accounts

It’s hard to say no to the $100 bonus for opening a checking account when the new bank comes to town. Or maybe you can’t refuse the great sign-up offer from the latest rewards credit card.

Before you know it, you have a half-dozen accounts at various institutions. Your retirement account is in one place, the checking account is in another. You also have a mortgage, emergency savings and insurance products to juggle.

Rather than having accounts scattered, try to consolidate them in a couple of places. Pick one bank for money and credit, and one company for all insurance needs, for example. In the end, you not only have fewer accounts to manage, but also may get better rates or terms for bringing more of your business to a particular institution.

Stop by our Solutions Center to find a great savings account.

2. Purge the paperwork

Sign up for paperless statements, which most financial institutions offer. With the exception of a few vital documents — such as birth certificates and titles — scan and shred almost everything else in your filing cabinet.

One caveat: Some people find old-fashioned paper statements make it easier way to review charges, and provide a better reminder to pay the bill. If that describes you, create a folder for each credit card and checking account, keep statements for up to a year, and then shred them.

3. Pay cash whenever possible

Don’t underestimate the power of cash to simplify your finances.

Paying with cash can prevent you from making impulse buys or otherwise overspending. Paying with cash can also reduce the stress of daily money management — such as reviewing your credit card statements.

4. Automate your life

If you’re not being paid automatically via direct deposit, sign up. Some employers let you split your paycheck among multiple accounts. If that’s possible, send at least 10% of earnings to your savings account.

Free yourself from the anxiety of paying bills on time by automating the process. Have bills electronically delivered, with the amount due drafted automatically from your account. Or, set up recurring monthly payments.

For expense tracking, skip the spreadsheets and use an app or tracking software, such as our partner You Need a Budget (YNAB).

5. Stop buying stuff

Minimalism is one of the core principles of simple living.

The less stuff you have, the less time you’ll spend maintaining, rearranging and obsessing over what you’ve got. Plus, when you stop spending, you have more money for saving, or for splurging on important things.

If you’re prone to spur-of-the-moment spending, check out “11 Tips and Tricks That Will Keep You From Overspending.”

6. Declutter

As the UCLA researchers discovered, clutter can stress us. So, focus on getting rid of the excess stuff you already own.

Before investing in yet another organizational system or storage unit, consider boxing items and shipping them to the thrift store or the landfill. Or, sell what you don’t need. After all, simplifying can be good for your wallet as well as your state of mind.

7. Cut loose toxic and high-needs people

When simplifying, don’t forget to look at the people around you.

Toxic personalities make life difficult. They steal our good days and put demands on time and attention that could probably be put to better use.

Consider how many times you’ve gotten off a phone call with a high-needs friend only to discover you’ve lost your mojo to get anything done for the rest of the day.

Do yourself a favor and cut off the emotional vampires feeding on your positive energy.

Consider: “8 Small Changes That Can Transform Your Life.”

8. Reconsider your commitments

Juggling multiple activities can be stressful. Simplify your schedule by reconsidering everything on your calendar.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I need to do this?
  • Do I want to do this?
  • Can I delegate this to someone else?
  • What happens if this doesn’t get done?

We wear our busyness like a badge of honor, so saying no won’t come naturally at first. However, an uncluttered calendar is a key to a simple life.

9. Unplug at least once a week

At least once a week, put away all of the electronics. Power down the computer, put away the smartphone and turn off the TV. Spend time getting reacquainted with your family, paper books, an old hobby or your backyard.

Unplugging helps you slow down. Electronics tend to be “in your face” — loud, bright and engaging. When they constantly surround you, it’s easy to lose track of time and start operating on autopilot.

Give yourself some quiet time to contemplate something more meaningful.

10. Create routines

Finally, a simple life thrives on routine. Without it, you may waste time and energy wondering what to do next.

Don’t confuse a routine with a schedule. A routine isn’t set in stone with time constraints. Rather, it’s a general idea of how your day will go.

A routine means knowing that you get up in the morning, have breakfast, load the dishwasher and go for a walk. It could also be paying the bills on Monday, shopping on Tuesday and doing your weekly dinner prep on Saturday.

Routines take the guesswork out of regular activities and make life simpler.

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