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Originally Posted On: https://classifieds.usatoday.com/blog/services/5-things-to-do-with-your-money-once-your-salary-reaches-70000/

 

Remember when you used to get hit with overdraft fees all the time? That was the worst. It was like a never-ending cycle you could never escape.

But look at you now! You’re making more than $70,000 a year, and you’ve escaped the grips of your bank. You’re doin’ fine.

Now it’s time to start thinking about what you want to achieve next with your money. Do you want to invest? Buy a home? Pay off your debt? Focus on retirement planning?

Use these ideas to get started:

1. Invest in Real Estate (Even If You’re Not A Millionaire)

Now that your salary is above $70,000, you might have some extra room in your budget. Maybe you’ve thought about investing some of that cash, but you’re not sure where to start.

We found a company that helps you become a real estate investor — and you don’t have to be a millionaire.

You can get started with a minimum investment of just $500. Through the Fundrise Starter Portfolio, your money will be invested in portfolios of real estate around the United States.

You can see exactly which properties are included in your portfolios — like a set of townhomes in Snoqualmie, Washington, or an apartment building in Charlotte, North Carolina. As tenants pay their rent, you can earn money through quarterly dividend payments and potential appreciation of the property.

And you don’t have to be the landlord — Fundrise does all the heavy lifting.

This is a great way to get started in the world of investing. You could invest $500 or $1,000 or $2,000 to start with, and automatically add a little more every paycheck.

2. Ask This Website to Pay Your Credit Card Bill This Month

You’re making good money now, but that doesn’t mean your debt magically disappears. If you need some help, a company called Fiona will pay your credit card bill this month. (Seriously!)

Here’s how it works: Fiona will match you with a low-interest loan you can use to pay off every credit card balance you have. The benefit? You’re left with just one bill to pay every month, and because the interest rate is so much lower, you can get out of debt that much faster. Plus, no credit card payment this month.

Fiona won’t make you stand in line or call a bank. And if you’re worried you won’t qualify, it’s free to check online. It takes just two minutes, and it could save you thousands of dollars. Totally worth it.

You’re making great progress in your career. Don’t let your credit card debt hold you back.

3. Leave Your Family $1 Million — Even if You Aren’t Making Millions

We’ve all wondered about what’d happen to our spouse and kids when we die. Could they afford the mortgage? Pay the bills on time? Handle the cost of childcare or college? That’s where life insurance can give you peace of mind.

Through a company called Policygenius, you can find $1 million life insurance policies starting at $25 a month. Yup — that means you pay $25 a month now, so you can leave your family $1 million when they’ll need it most.

With Policygenius, it takes about two minutes to enter some basic information, and then the company will provide you a quote. If you’re not sure how much coverage you need, it’ll guide you.

Once you find a policy that fits your needs, apply right online. It’s that simple.

4. Let This Website Help You Pay off Your Student Debt 5 Years Faster

You could be doing everything right but still feel like you’ll be stuck with student loan debt forever. Truth be told, your student loan providers just might be ripping you off with some insane rates — yup, they’re getting rich off you.

But there are other, nicer companies that’ll help you out. A website called Credible knows the best ones and could pair you up as soon as tomorrow.

Here’s how it works: Credible will match you with a loan that’ll cover your student debt tab. Use that loan to pay off your federal and/or private loans. Now you’ll be left with one new monthly payment.

This process is called refinancing. The key to refinancing is to find a loan with better interest rates or lower monthly payments.

Ashley Williams, a financial analyst, graduated with $46,000 in debt. Refinancing allowed her to knock five years’ worth of payments off her loans, and it saved her more than $18,000 in interest.

If you’re not sure where to start, Credible lets you compare your options in two minutes. If you’re worried you won’t qualify, it’s free to check online.

5. Save up to $865 a Year on Car Insurance — for the Same Coverage

When was the last time you shopped around for car insurance? Was it more than six months ago?

If so, you’re probably overpaying — by hundreds of dollars. Yep. Experts say you should compare rates twice a year to get the best deal. Twice a year? Yeah, we don’t want to do that, either.

But a service called Gabi does all the shopping for you to find cheaper insurance — with the same coverage and deductibles you already have. It saves customers an average of $865 a year.

You don’t have to fill out any forms. Just link your existing insurance account and enter your driver’s licence, and it will start looking for cheaper coverage.

Plus, after you sign up, Gabi will keep looking for savings.

Hey, we all want to save money — no matter how much we make each year.