Are your personal finances making you feel out of control? Many people feel this way, but your finances do not have to be frustrating, as long as you are open minded. The following paragraphs will give you some cool tips that will give you the knowledge you need to sort out your money issues.

If you have lost a prior home to foreclosure, this does not mean that you are out of home owning altogether. You should be able to get a government-backed mortgage through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA, in as little as three years after your previous home has foreclosed.

Talk to different loan officers before you sign anything. Make sure to read over the lending contract very carefully to assure that you are not getting into a mortgage that has hidden charges, and that the terms of the loan are just as you and the lender had agreed to.

Most products will come with a warranty, and if they break, they are likely going to break during this time. The company who provides the extended warranty makes a lot of money on the deal and for you, it’s often not worth the price you pay.

Solid plans make for solid finances. Having a solid plan is a good motivational tool because it drives you to work harder and cut down on unnecessary spending.

Live below your means. Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This happens, because we are spending as much as we are earning or in some cases, more. You can break this cycle by leaving yourself a lot of room in your monthly budget. If you only need a smaller percentage of your income to pay your living expenses, there will be more left over to save or to pay for unexpected things that come up.

Make big purchases a goal. Instead of putting a large item purchase on a credit card and paying for it later, make it a goal for the future. Start putting aside money each week until you have saved enough to buy it outright. You will appreciate the purchase more, and not be drowning in debt because of it.

Write down numbers for contacting service providers such as your credit cards and bank in the event of loss or theft. With these toll-free numbers at hand, reporting and canceling will be much easier. They will also help if you need to find locations to get cash quickly. Store these numbers in your phone as well, but keep a written copy in case of phone issues.

Always consider a used car before buying new. Pay cash when possible, to avoid financing. A car will depreciate the minute you drive it off the lot. Should your financial situation change and you have to sell it, you might find it’s worth less than you owe. This can quickly lead to financial failure if you’re not careful.

If you decide to hire a credit repair firm to help with fixing your credit, make sure you understand what they charge. Many firms charge you by the number of disputes and deletions attempted with no guarantee of success. Try to find a credit repair firm that charges fair and has no hidden fees.

Unless it’s an actual emergency, stay away from the ER. Make sure and locate urgent care centers in your area that you can go to for after hours issues. An ER visit co-pay is usually double the cost of going to your doctor or to an urgent care clinic. Avoid the higher cost but in a true emergency head straight to the ER.

As you have read, money problems can be very stressful. Dealing with financial issues is frustrating for a lot of people. It should not be difficult to get your finances in order if you keep a clear head and have the right guidance. If you consider these tips you will find yourself in a good financial standing.