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Joel covered a lot this week, so here's a quick outline of what you need to know to get yourself on your way to financial happiness.
The new iPhone 15 has recently released, and with it, lots of promotions from carriers. A lot of these promotions say that you're getting a free iPhone if you lock yourself into a contract with a certain carrier. But these promotions lock you into a more expensive plan in order for you to stay with that carrier. What you need to do is look at the total cost of ownership for your new phone. A lot of the promotions are targeting people who want the new phone, but don't want to put down $1200 at once. Check out this cell phone calculator to see what you can afford next time you're in the market for a new phone
Prescription medications can be expensive. So it's important to shop around and use all the tools you have at your disposal. For example, GoodRX has helped get 40% more in savings at Walgreens. Mark Cuban's, costplusdrugs.com has been changing the game when it comes to prices for prescription drugs. And if you still need help, check out the non-profit needymeds.org.
Fall is a great time to reevaluate your budget. You'll have enough time now to reach your financial goals by the end of the year. Try starting out with these steps:
- Set up a budget: Use your last 3 months as an example and set up a realistic budget for yourself.
- Start paying off your debts: A site like undebt.it is a great tool to use.
- Start saving for the holiday season
- Check on your retirement savings: Are you getting the 401(k) match at work? Are you maxing out your Roth IRA each year?
Don't forget to check out the 'How to Money' Newsletter and website!