The Importance of Budgeting

How many times have you tried to create a budget and stick to it?  It’s something that’s so difficult for so many people, so it can be tempting to stop even trying.  But before you give up… know that budgeting can be critically important to ensure your financial health and stability.  There are concrete ways to make a difficult thing more manageable (and maybe even fun)!

 

Why is budgeting so important?

  1. Tracking your expenses helps you control your spending, and save more money.  When you manage your finances without a budget, there really isn’t anything preventing you from spending beyond your means.  You may have a general idea about how much money you spend on certain things, but without actual (accurate) numbers, it’s easy to let your spending habits get out of control.  When you live on a budget, it’s much easier to see where you may be frivolously overspending, and when you can see waste that can be eliminated, you now have an ability to put that “extra” money into savings that you didn’t think you had before.  Who doesn’t love saving money?
  2. It helps you make wiser financial decisions and be better prepared for emergencies.  As I’m sure you already know, life comes with all kinds of emergency situations that can many times be very expensive.  If you plan for (and stick to) saving for these potential emergency expenses, you can avoid financial difficulties in the future.  From emergency room bills to unexpected home expenses, without mindful and intentional planning, you put yourself at risk of going into (sometimes significant) debt… that you may not even have the means to pay.  It’s recommended that you have approximately 3-6 months of living expenses in emergency savings.  That may sound overwhelming to many of you, but the good news is you can start small!  $100 is better than $0.  $1 is better than $0.  Focus on what you CAN do, and not what you think you SHOULD be able to do.
  3. It can improve your mental health.  Finances are incredibly overwhelming and stressful for many of us.  How many nights have you tossed and turned worrying about how you were going to pay your bills?  With a concrete plan in place, it takes away some of the headache that comes from wondering if you’ll be able to make it to your next paycheck.  Budgeting may be the unexpected self-care that you didn’t even know you needed.

 

How can you make budgeting work for you?

  1. Keep it simple!  Track all fixed and variable expenses, but don’t overwhelm yourself with 200 detailed categories.  Know how much you spend on “needs” vs. “wants,” and use it as a guide for where to dedicate your money in a way that helps you work toward your personal financial goals.
  2. Reward yourself!  Sticking to a budget requires consistency and discipline.  It’s an achievement in itself if you manage to do it!  Keep in mind if you DON’T stick to it, there is no need to punish yourself.  Use any setbacks as an opportunity to realize what went wrong, and how to fix it.
  3. Find a system that works for you!  Budgeting is NOT one size fits all!  Start easy.  The NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling) has a simple expense tracker that can be a good place to start – https://www.nfcc.org/resources/planning-tools-and-calculators/monthly-budget-planner/.  There are many budget templates on the internet.  Do some research and find one that you like!

 

Need some further help with budgeting?  CCCS of Buffalo offers Financial Coaching Sessions, where you would meet one on one with one of our Certified Financial Counselors.  From budgeting advice to suggestions for more positive spending habits, you and your counselor would work as a team to create an individualized budget and determine the best plan of action to achieve your financial goals.  Your counselor would go over your income, expenses, and Experian credit report with you, and even review ways to build on and improve your credit.

 

Call us today at (716) 712-2060 to schedule an in person or telephone appointment!

Dealing with Inflation

As most of us are well aware, trips to the grocery store and the gas pump are emptying our pockets and draining our bank accounts more than ever before…

 

People talk about “inflation” all the time, but what does that really mean?  In plain terms, inflation simply refers to the increase in prices over time.  The inflation rate is a measure of how quickly those prices go up.  When the inflation rate is high, consumers lose purchasing power, meaning your dollar won’t go as far tomorrow as it did today.  The current annual inflation rate for the United States is 8.6%, up from 7% in 2021 – the largest annual increase since December 1981.  It averaged 3.27% from 1914 to 2022, reaching an all-time high of 23.7% in June 1920, and a record low of -15.8% in June 1921.

 

Inflation can have a serious impact on everyday expenses.  Energy prices have risen 34.6% and food costs are up 10.1%, but most of us likely have not seen wage increases to keep up with those rising costs.  So how can we manage our own financial situations to minimize those effects?  Here are four tips:

 

1. Consider (strategically) downsizing

 

Do you own any assets that may be worth more now because of inflation?  If so, now could be a good time to get rid of them.  Some items to consider could be used vehicles, furniture, equipment, and recreational goods such as toys and games, since these items have all seen major prices increases due to inflation.

 

2. Reduce or delay certain purchases

 

Many items, including everyday essential expenses, have seen drastic price increases.  Here are some examples that you may want to consider reducing or eliminating:

  • Gasoline
  • Cars
  • Clothing
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Toys/games
  • Furniture/home goods
  • Travel
  • Entertainment

 

3. Keep investing in your future

 

When money feels tight, it’s normal (and easy) to focus only on immediate needs and lose sight of longer-term goals.  You may be tempted to stop saving for retirement.  Even during difficult times, keep in mind that continuing to contribute to retirement and other long-term investments can be one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation because it helps your money increase in value.

 

4. Review your budget

 

Any time prices go up, it’s important to revisit your budget – which can be as simple as making a list with all of your monthly income sources and current monthly expenses.  Budgeting may feel like it’s all about decreasing expenses, but it can also be a good opportunity to revisit your income and consider ways to bring in more money or resources.

 

Some questions to ask yourself about your expenses:

  • What can I reduce or eliminate?
  • Is there something I can put on hold, even if it’s just for a few months?
  • Am I being charged for services I don’t even use?
  • Can I negotiate or shop around for a lower price on expensive items?  Or perhaps consider secondhand?
  • Am I eligible for any discounts based on my individual situation (income-based, military/veteran, senior citizen, etc.)?

 

Some questions to ask yourself about your income:

  • Is there a way I can temporarily (or permanently) bring in more money?
  • Am I eligible for a pay raise or a promotion?
  • Do I have a product or service I could sell?
  • Am I eligible for any government benefits or other assistance?
  • Can another member of my household earn money or qualify for financial assistance?

 

If creating a budget to fight the effects of inflation seems impossible, you’re not alone!  Only about 1/3 of US adults say they have a plan for how they’ll spend each paycheck.  Instead of avoiding the task, why not get help from a professional?

 

Call CCCS of Buffalo, your Money Mentors, at (716) 712-2060 today to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our knowledgeable certified financial counselors!

Should I Get a Credit Card?

Opting for a new credit card is a decision that will impact your financial health in one way or another, so it should come with a careful analysis of your personal financial spending habits and goals.  Credit cards can be useful when they are used responsibly, but they can also be harmful if proper care is not taken to use them only when it would make sense to do so.

When does getting a credit card make sense?

  • If you want to build or rebuild credit history.  Without sufficient credit history, lenders will likely see you as a higher risk.  If you have limited or no credit, consider a secured card.  To build or rebuild credit with a credit card, it’s important to make 100% of your payments on time 100% of the time, and to keep your credit utilization ratio low.  The general recommendation is under around 30%, but people with high credit scores tend to keep it closer to around 10%.
  • If you need help financing a purchase or paying off debt.  Some credit cards offer introductory periods of 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers.  If you are able to pay the debt or major purchase during the promotional period, you will have essentially gotten an interest-free loan.
  • If you want to reward your spending.  Using a cash back or travel rewards card responsibly can help you save money by being rewarded for the things you purchase the most (think: gas or groceries).
  • If you want added payment security.  Credit card issuers typically offer a zero liability policy on fraudulent credit card charges, whereas if you use a debit card attached to your checking account, there aren’t as many protections.  Banks or credit unions may require written confirmation of the error and investigations can take much longer, which means your own funds may be tied up for a longer period of time.
When may getting a credit card NOT make sense?
  • If you want to increase funds available to you.  Generally speaking, applying for more credit to get out of debt or to make additional purchases is not ideal.  If you’re using credit cards for things that you aren’t able to pay off right away, you may end up paying a significant amount of interest on those balances.
  • If you’ve recently applied for a major line of credit.  If you’ve recently applied for credit for something significant (mortgage, auto loan, etc.), a credit card application will add an additional hard inquiry on your credit report.  This may also raise some red flags to lenders, who may suspect that you may need additional credit in order to keep up with payments on the major line of credit.
The bottom line is that you should carefully analyze your personal situation and weigh your options.  Opening a credit card account could be a great step toward reaching your financial goals, but keep in mind that managing it requires diligence and responsibility.
To speak with a Certified Financial Counselor and receive guidance and recommendations on appropriate steps to take to improve your credit situation, please give us a call at (716) 712-2060.  We would be happy to help!

*ACTION REQUIRED* Free Credit Monitoring from Equifax Data Breach Settlement

In September 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people.  A settlement has now been reached and finalized, which will include up to $425 million to help affected individuals to receive free credit monitoring services, help recovering from identity theft that may have occurred, and even cash reimbursements for certain situations.

If you were affected by the breach, you are eligible for at least 4 years of FREE credit monitoring from all three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – and up to 6 more years from Equifax, for a total of 10 years.  The settlement administrator recently began sending emails and letters to people who filed a valid claim requesting these monitoring services.

*ACTION IS REQUIRED!*

  • Eligible claimants will get free membership in Experian IdentityWorks℠ for four years.
  • This service is free for you. You do not need to provide any payment information to enroll, and you do not need to cancel the service when it ends.
  • To enroll, visit the Experian IdentityWorks website: www.experianidworks.com, and enter the Activation Code from the email or letter you received.  You can also call 1-877-251-5822.
  • You must use the Activation Code by June 27, 2022. Your activation code will not work after this date.
  • Legitimate emails about this settlement will come from Equifax Breach Settlement Administrator info@equifaxbreachsettlement.com.  The administrator will NOT call you about the settlement, but you can reach the administrator by phone at 1-833-759-2982.

Unsure if you were affected, or if you are eligible for the free credit monitoring provided by the Equifax Data Breach Settlement? 

CCCS of Buffalo offers Credit Report Review sessions, where you would speak one on one with one of our certified counselors who will pull all three of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, review everything that appears on your reports with you, go over ways to build on and improve your credit, and show you how to dispute anything if necessary.  Please call us at (716) 712-2060 to schedule an appointment!

VITA – Free Tax Preparation Services in Niagara County

CCCS Buffalo has officially launched our 8th year of providing free tax preparation services in Niagara County through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

If your 2021 income was $57,000 or less, you can have
your federal and state taxes e-filed for FREE!
Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the service this year will function similar to last year’s, in a drop-off/virtual manner, to minimize exposure by limiting face-to-face interactions.  Masks are required.
Individuals will visit one of our two sites to speak with a trained VITA tax volunteer for a short time, drop off their documents, and provide identification and completed intake/consent forms.  Volunteers will conduct the intake process by scanning and uploading documents to secure tax software, then prepare the tax returns offsite/remotely.  Taxpayers will then come back to the physical site 1-2 weeks after their initial appointment to finalize their return, sign off on the e-filing, and obtain a paper copy of their return.
Call us now at (716) 712-2060 to schedule an appointment,
as slots are filling up very quickly!
LOCKPORT: Tuesdays through 4/5/22
Lockport Public Library (Community Room)
23 East Ave
Lockport, NY 14094
Access through the lower level on Grigg Lewis Way, across from Cornerstone Ice Rink
NIAGARA FALLS: Wednesdays through 4/6/22
Pinnacle Community Services
1522 Main St
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Corner of Main St and Linwood Ave, parking available on Main St or parking lot on Linwood Ave

NYS Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is Now Available!

The NYS Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is a federally funded program to help support homeowners who experienced financial hardship (loss of income or increased living expenses) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  HAF assistance is customized to the applicant’s individual situation and may involve free housing counseling, legal services, negotiations with a mortgage servicer, and possibly even financial assistance to cover past and future housing related payments, including water and sewage charges.

Applications are now being accepted for this $539 million fund for eligible homeowners at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement.

Are you a homeowner who is:

  • Behind or in forbearance on your mortgage?
  • In default on a reverse mortgage?
  • Behind on your property taxes, water, or sewage bills?
  • Behind on monthly maintenance charges for your co-op or condo?
  • Behind on chattel loans, retail installment contracts, lot rent, and/or other types of home purchase loans?

You may be eligible for HAF assistance, and WE CAN HELP!  For more information about the fund, help in determining eligibility, and/or assistance in completing an application, call us at 716-712-2060.  We will schedule you for a telephone appointment with a knowledgeable, certified housing counselor to assess your situation and assist you in the process.

NYS HAF expects to receive significantly more applications than can be funded by the program, and applications will be processed in the order they were received – so don’t wait, call us today!  (Note: Application submission does not guarantee that you will receive financial assistance.)

Resources:

NYS HAF Frequently Asked Questions – https://www.nyhomeownerfund.org/faqs

NYS HAF Call Center, Monday-Saturday 7am to 8pm EST, with application support and translation in English and 10 additional languages – 1-844-776-9423

Start HAF Application – https://www.nyhomeownerfund.org/apply-now

Application Guide and Document Checklist – https://www.nyhomeownerfund.org/application-guide