3 Ways To Improve Your Financial Health
“Personal finance” is a term which refers to the way you manage your money and how you plan for the future. All of your current financial decisions and activities have an impact on your financial health, both now and in years to come.
Often, we are guided by certain phrases or “rules” which have been passed through the generations, such as “don’t buy a house which costs more than 3 years salary” or “you should save 10% of your monthly income for your retirement”. Whilst many of these wisened quotes stand the test of time and truly are helpful, it is important that we take a closer look at what we should be doing in general when it comes to improving our financial health and spending habits.
Work out your net worth and personal budget
Money comes in, and then money goes out. For many, this is pretty much as far as their understanding of money and personal finance goes. Rather than ignoring your finances and chancing whether you have the money needed for your planned purchases, a bit of budgeting can help you to reevaluate your current financial health and determine how you can reach both your short and long term financial goals.
As a starting point, it is vital for you to calculate your net worth, which is the difference between what you own and owe. To do this, you need to calculate your net worth by taking note of your assets, which you own, and your liabilities, which you owe.
If you have property, or own business properties, then you should list these and you may want to discuss this with a chartered surveyors, Manchester based if you believe there may be a change in the property valuation. By tracking your net worth over time, this allows you to evaluate your successes and identify potential areas which require improvement.
Recognise inflation
Most individuals will spend more money if there is more money to spend. When people advance in their careers and go on to earn higher salaries there is often a correlating increase in terms of spending, which is something known as lifestyle inflation.
Whilst you might be able to still pay your bills, lifestyle inflation can be extremely damaging in the long run as it limits the ability to build wealth. It isn’t uncommon for people to feel the need to match the lifestyles of their peers and friends. It’s easy to overlook the fact that actually, this way of spending leads to a lot of debt as people battle to keep up.
If you own business properties, then you might want to review the rent you currently charge. Due to inflation, you may find … Read more
Last Updated: August 4, 2020 by Ginger
5 Financial Activities Commonly Outsourced to a Bookkeeping Firm
Most business owners are aware of outsourcing accounting services but often find it hard to choose which tasks to delegate to a third party. Many concerns complicate the decision, such as budget constraints as well as issues with authority. In which case, the most sensible solution is to determine which functions yield the most return of investment.
Indeed, while the question of what to outsource varies according to the needs of each company, there are specific activities most likely delegated to a third party, regardless of the unique requirements of the business.
Repetitive business tasks
Financial tasks are always repetitive. Some examples include preparing accounts receivables and accounts payables. According to www.kenbellaccounting.co.uk, many medium enterprises today rely on accounting software to simplify these functions. But, if your business doesn’t have the same capabilities, the next best solution is to outsource to a bookkeeping firm that can manage these tasks efficiently.
Tasks completed manually
Despite how computer-dependent most businesses today are, there are still some financial tasks typically completed manually. Usually, these activities are reserved for an experienced accountant or bookkeeper. The problem with manually completing tasks is the higher likelihood of committing errors. Having to correct mistakes isn’t only time-consuming, but also detrimental to the business if left unchecked. The benefit of outsourcing these activities is the peace of mind and confidence knowing that the company handling the tasks is experienced, capable, and highly competent.
Payroll operations
One of the commonly outsourced financial functions is payroll. Most businesses today prefer to outsource payroll-related tasks because of the complexities and nuances associated with these activities. A bookkeeping firm has the resources, such as the right software to use, which will make payroll management and implementation more efficient. Also, having a dedicated team working on all payroll-related issues will ensure that all concerns are directed and resolved by the same team.
Tax-related functions
Most companies dread tax season because of the amount of work it takes to prepare and file taxes. There’s always a possibility of missing out on write-offs if the taxes aren’t filed correctly. Instead of taking chances, it’s best to outsource tax functions to an experienced bookkeeping company. They’ll be able to include all activities qualified to receive incentives. Also, an expert bookkeeper has updated knowledge and expertise on regulations and laws that apply to business taxes.
Tax activities specific to each locality
Paying sales taxes can be confusing if local rates and national rates apply for each transaction. Nevertheless, even if only one sales tax applies, each payment should be precisely tracked and recorded. Any mistakes made in charging and paying for these taxes could result in penalties and fines for the company. The good thing is, … Read more