The Best $150 You Can Spend To Spring Clean Your Finances
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
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Jenna Klaverweiden
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Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. It’s also an ideal time to give your finances a fresh start.
Just as you tidy up your living space, cleaning up your finances can bring clarity and improved financial health. Whether you’re aiming to save money, reduce debt or increase investments, a little investment in the right tools or strategies can make all the difference
Here are some of the best ways to spend your money to spring clean your finances and set yourself up for a brighter financial future.
Hire a Trusted Finance Professional
“Spring is the perfect time to clean up not just your closet, but your finances too,” said Danny Ray, finance expert and founder of PinnacleQuote. “The best money you can spend? In my experience, it’s hiring a trusted financial professional to review your full financial picture, not just your investments, but your insurance, debt, taxes and estate planning.”
He always recommends putting a few hundred dollars toward a one-time session with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) if you’ve never had one. According to SmartAsset, hourly fees for financial advisors can be as low as $120.
“Above all, this gives you a roadmap. You wouldn’t drive cross-country without GPS, why wing your financial future?” he said.
Take a Budgeting or Personal Finance Course
Education is key to improving your financial literacy, and you can invest in an online personal finance course or workshop to help you understand budgeting, investing or even tax strategies.
Websites like Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera offer finance courses that range from beginner to advanced, and many are priced under $150. This basic personal finance course on Udemy, for example, regularly costs $69.99, while this course on stock investing from Udemy regularly costs $149.99.
Get a Tax Filing Software or Accountant Help
A good tax filing software like TurboTax, H&R Block or TaxSlayer can help you file your taxes correctly and potentially maximize your refund.
These services generally charge between $50 and $150, depending on the level of service or assistance you need (e.g., self-employed versus standard filing). TurboTax allows you to start your taxes for free and pay only when you file. Costs for that can be as high as $199. H&R Block’s pricing ranges from $50 to $109, depending on the level of service you’ll need. TaxSlayer also has a free option, and its paid options can cost as high as $67.95.
On the other hand, you could also hire a tax professional for a one-time consultation.
Invest In Index Funds or ETFs
If you’re looking to start investing and have some basic understanding of the stock market, investing in low-cost index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a great choice this spring.
With a $150 initial investment, you can start investing in diversified assets through a brokerage platform like Vanguard, Fidelity or Robinhood, many of which allow you to buy fractional shares.
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