David Morey 
No one is immune to the need for money to survive. If you cannot rely on some type of income, then it will be very hard to afford all the basic needs of a human, let alone pay for the things that you want.
When times like the last few years make the economy unpredictable, with factors like high inflation rates affecting how far our money goes, it is important to make wise decisions with your finances. Whether that means cutting unnecessary costs, finding investment opportunities, or seeking new employment, planning a better financial future starts now.
If you need some ideas to help improve your money-saving habits or to get the best CD rates, then you are in the right place. Here are some strategies that can increase your financial security for a brighter future.
Comparison Car Shopping
Most households across the United States own one or more personal vehicles. Even if you live in a dense city with tons of public transportation available, the convenience of having a car can be enough to justify the costs. Buying a car can be a scary process because of how much money is required, especially for a newer vehicle. Saving money when buying a car requires more planning than just showing up at a dealership. First, you should figure out what type of car you want. Then, figure out how much you are willing to spend and consider getting pre-approved for a car loan.
The most important step will be comparison shopping. To get the best deal possible, you should research prices from other dealerships for the car you want. This gives you negotiating power that can reduce the cost of the vehicle.
Consider a Certificate of Deposit
When you have money sitting in your savings or checking account, that money is rarely doing much. Maybe you get a few extra dollars each year from interest, but otherwise, it just sits in that account doing nothing. What if you could grow your savings over the short term at a much faster rate than a typical savings account would allow? A certificate of deposit is a temporary account where you can put your money to get a higher rate of return as long as you do not withdraw any money during the term. The best rates for CDs could be as high as 5% or even 6%, depending on the product you choose. For example, you could put $1,000 into a CD for 12 months and get a 4.75% APY. This lets your money grow faster than it would just sitting in a savings or checking account.
Consolidate Debt
Many of the big expenses in our lives result in us going into debt. It is a normal part of life in the United States. You could be in debt because of credit card expenses, student loans, a car loan, or a mortgage on your home. Paying off this debt takes a long time in many of these circumstances, especially for student loans and mortgages. Plus, if you have accumulated credit card debt, it can be hard to climb out of that hole. Consolidating your debt with a personal loan may be the solution if your debts have high-interest rates. If you take out a personal loan to quickly pay off some of these debts, you can essentially trade high-interest debt for low-interest debt. This will make your monthly payments a little easier to manage since they will be lower.
Grow Your Food
Groceries can be incredibly expensive, and when you have to shop every week, the costs can feel overwhelming. There is a way to lower your bills while cultivating a fun new hobby…gardening. A lot of the foods you eat could be grown on your property. For example, a produce garden could yield ongoing veggies during the spring and summer. Some plants will even grow well into the fall months. While you will have to spend money upfront to create the garden, taking care of it each year will mean you can just buy seeds on the cheap for that year.
You could also grow herbs right in your kitchen by placing them near a sun-facing window. These plants will provide you with key ingredients over and over again, saving you money on groceries in the long run.
Saving Sometimes Means Thinking Outside the Box
Improving your financial status may not be easy when you are unable to switch careers or get a promotion. Sometimes, you have to be creative to increase your rate of saving. The ideas listed above are a great way to get started on your journey toward a brighter financial future. When buying a car, make sure you have plenty of prices to compare it to. CDs can turn your savings into more money over short periods. Consolidating debt with a personal loan can lower your monthly payments. Growing your food in a garden, orchard, or pots in the kitchen can keep your grocery bills from climbing too high. Think outside the box to start saving more in 2023.
