全通翻譯/翻譯社

Turn Small Savings into Your Nest Egg

Average salaries allow you to make ends meet with a little left over, but how can you achieve financial freedom at such a snail’s pace? Don’t worry, even legendary investor Warren Buffet started from scratch. All you need is self-discipline and a good game plan.

Save Before You Spend
Open a high interest savings account and put away a fixed amount monthly. For example, put 20 percent of your paycheck in savings, leaving the remainder for living expenses. It may sting at first, but your nest egg will grow! 

Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage 
Always pay the full balance to avoid compound interest. Stick with cards that don’t have annual fees and that offer good reward systems. Over time, you’ll be rewarded with cash rebates or free mileage.

Budgeting and Bookkeeping
A great way to prevent overspending is to budget categories in your life, like food or entertainment. There are some great budgeting apps available that can keep you on track by texting you when you’re about to break the bank. 

A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned
Cut electricity bills by using energy-saving bulbs and unplugging appliances when they’re not being used. Carpooling or taking public transportation saves you gas. Participate in group-buys or buy in bulk for better deals. Bargain hunters always compare prices, whether online or in stores.

聰明理財 8 大法門

一般薪資讓你打平收支外還能剩餘一點點錢，但靠著如此龜速的方式，你要如何才能達成財務上的自由？別擔心，即便是傳奇投資人華倫‧巴菲特也是從零開始的。你所需要的就是自律和一份不錯的計畫。

先存錢，再花錢
開立一個高利息的儲蓄戶頭，每月存入一筆固定的金額。舉例而言，把薪水的 20% 存起來，剩下的就作為生活開支。一開始也許會很痛苦，但你的儲備金將會成長！

善用信用卡
一定要繳清全數餘額以避免複利。使用不收年費且提供良好回饋制度的信用卡。時間久了，你就會獲得現金折抵或免費里程。

制定預算與記帳
避免花費過度的一個絕佳方法就是針對生活中的各種花費類別制定預算，例如伙食或娛樂。有些很棒的預算應用程式會在你透支前以簡訊通知你，協助你遵守自己訂定的規範。

省一分就是賺一分
使用節能燈泡還有電器不用時把插頭拔掉都可減少電力的支出。開車共乘或搭乘大眾交通工具能為你節省燃料。參加團購或大批購買來享價格優惠。精打細算的人隨時都會比價，不論在網路上或在商店裡。

資料來源：biz 互動英語電子報