Money—it’s one of those things that can feel overwhelming, right? Between budgeting, saving, and investing, it often seems like there’s way too much to figure out. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to do it all perfectly to make progress. With some good habits (and a little help), you can take charge of your finances and actually feel confident about your money.
That’s where Era, a smart AI-powered finance tool, steps in to make life a lot easier. Think of Era as your personal finance buddy. It’s like having a super-organized friend who’s always ready to help you save better, invest smarter, and finally understand where your money’s going. Plus, with $6.2M backing them from some big-name investors, you know it’s the real deal.
Here are nine super-practical tips to build your financial freedom without overthinking it.
1. Get to Know the Basics
Before jumping into any big-money decisions, take a little time to get familiar with the essentials. Things like how interest works, how compound growth can snowball your savings, and why markets can be risky sometimes. Don’t worry—it’s not as dry as it sounds. Podcasts, YouTube videos, or even a good ol’ Google search can teach you plenty without feeling like homework.
(And just so you know, Era helps with this too—it keeps you updated with real-time financial insights, so you’ve always got the latest info on hand.)
2. Master the Art of Budgeting
A budget is basically your plan for getting your money where you want it to go. It doesn’t have to be super rigid or complicated. Just start by tracking where your bucks are going for a month. You might be surprised how much those little purchases add up. Once you’ve done that, you can figure out a plan that works for your life—something that covers your bills, builds savings, and leaves room for a bit of fun.
Don’t love the idea of tracking all this yourself? That’s where Era comes in. It syncs with your accounts to automatically categorize your spending. One of its handy tricks? “Round-ups” that stash away small amounts of money every time you buy something. Saving without even thinking? Yes, please.
3. Diversify, Diversify, Diversify
When it comes to investing, spreading your money across different things—stocks, bonds, real estate, you name it—is key. The idea is simple. If one thing tanks, your other investments can help balance it out. It’s like the old saying about not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Era’s tools can help you with this, too. It guides you toward building a portfolio that not only meets your goals but is flexible enough to adjust when markets shift.
4. Get Serious About Paying Down Debt
Debt’s a tricky one. It can weigh you down, especially the high-interest kind (credit cards, I’m looking at you). Tackling debt is one of the fastest ways to improve your financial health. Start with the stuff that has the highest interest rates, and once that’s gone, you’ll have extra cash flow to put toward savings or investing.
Era’s helpful here, too. It looks for opportunities where you could save a little extra that could go directly toward knocking out that debt faster.
5. Look for Ways to Boost Your Income
Sure, cutting costs is important, but sometimes the answer is bringing in a little more money. Whether it’s taking on a freelance gig, learning a new skill that bumps up your pay, or even just negotiating a raise at work—it all helps.
Here’s where Era can be a game-changer. It calculates how much more income you’d need to hit certain goals and gives you insights on how to make it happen.
6. Use Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiating isn’t just for big business deals—it can save you money on everyday stuff, too. Whether it’s calling your internet provider to ask for a better rate or shopping around for discounts on a new phone, these small moves add up fast.
And guess what? Era can spot areas where you’re likely overspending, like subscriptions you forgot you had. Consider it your secret weapon for trimming costs.
7. Revisit Your Insurance Plans
Insurance isn’t exactly exciting, but reviewing it regularly can save you a lot of money—and unnecessary headaches. Whether it’s your health, home, or car insurance, make sure you’re not overpaying for coverage you don’t need. Look for bundle deals or better rates as your circumstances change.
Era keeps tabs on this stuff, too, flagging any rising costs or better options, so you’re not stuck overpaying.
8. Make Frugal Choices Without Feeling Deprived
Living frugally doesn’t mean giving up everything you enjoy. It’s really about being intentional. Cook at home more often, find fun (and free!) hobbies, or sleep on a big purchase before pulling the trigger. These are the kinds of habits that, over time, save a surprising amount of money.
Era helps here as well, showing you exactly how much your spending tweaks are adding up over weeks or months. Those small wins are seriously motivating.
9. Keep Checking in and Stay Flexible
Life’s never standstill, and neither are your finances. Maybe you get a raise, your expenses change, or the market takes a turn. Staying flexible and open to adjusting your strategies is key to keeping up with it all.
The cool thing about Era? It’s built to adapt with you. From automating trades to spotting new ways to save, it’s like having a personal assistant who’s always watching out for your financial future.
Make Money Management Simple with Era
Building wealth isn’t about making massive moves overnight. It’s about being consistent with small habits that add up over time. And here’s the thing—doing it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With tools like Era, the process gets a whole lot simpler.
Why not make today the day you start taking control of your finances? Sign up for Era and see how easy managing your money can be.