By the time we reach our 40s, life can often be rather complicated. Many people are stuck between a rock and a hard place, with kids still at home and elderly parents needing increasing amounts of care. You may have left starting a family until very late, in which case your children are very small, or you could have teenagers about to fly the next. Either way it is an expensive business and if you are not careful, you won’t be in a good financial position by the time retirement looms large. So if this is you, here are a few tips to help you better plan your finances.
1. Pay Off Debts
Most people have at least some debt. Mortgages, car loans and credit cards are common, but by the time you hit your forties you need to make debt reduction a priority. Get to grips with what you owe and create a sensible plan to reduce your debts. If you have a lot on credit cards, look for cheaper deals, or use some savings to clear the debt. The aim of the game is to reach retirement debt free, so start working towards this goal.