Taking control of your finances

[Flexo]

I have started what will be a long daily (or almost-daily) series about taking control of your finances, from start to finish. I'm looking for any suggestions for major points to include, so if you have any thoughts or links to articles, please share.

[QuickenPRChels]

Hi Flexo,

I'd like to introduce myself. Saw your Tweet about getting control of finances. I'm new to the Quicken Online PR team and just to give you another in-road if you need information. I know Priya was in contact today as well.

Don't hesitate to contact either of us with questions, for product tours, etc.

Thanks,
Chelsea Marti
chelsea_marti@intuit.com

[Randall]

My favorite tip has always been about automating your finances as much as possible.

Don't see it come in, don't see it go out, no problems. I've automated all my bills so that whatever hits the banking account is all I get for the month anyway.

It takes a while to get there, but it eliminates late fees, over-the-limit fees, and a lot of headache on whether you've paid bills or not. The VAST majority of all my bills (all but one I think) are paid this way.

[Green Panda]

I know personally my weak point is investing. I know the basics for retiring, but I'm looking for when I finish paying off debt. How do I allocate my money?

[Flexo]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I'm still working on the series. I have it mapped out and I've been adding to the series about once a week.

[Green Panda]

Thanks Flexo! Series on my blog tend to be much shorter -5 posts or less.