?? Welcome to our bi-monthly roundup on mastering family finances!

Through the #LivAhead series, we aim to bring you practical tips and tricks on everything from creating a family-friendly budget to teaching your kids the value of saving up for what they really want, and more.

So, if you're looking for ways to make your family’s money work smarter, not harder, you've come to the right place!

Here are the past two week’s bits:

1?? Want to save on your credit cards? These simple hacks can help you cut down on interest and avoid those pesky fees. ??Start using these strategies today for smarter credit card management.

? Pay Full Balance: Always pay the statement balance to avoid interest.

??Use Balance Transfers: Move high-interest debt to a 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) card for a few months.

? Set Payment Alerts: Avoid late fees by setting reminders for due dates.

? Request a Lower Rate: Call your card issuer and negotiate for a lower interest rate.

? Use Purchase Protection: Get refunds on defective items or canceled services through your card’s protection.

2?? Here are a few things that we are resolving to fix this year ??11 Money Mistakes we don’t want to repeat in 2025 ??

? Ignoring budgeting

? Not having an emergency fund

? Overlooking small expenses

? Overusing credit cards

? Indulging in impulse purchases

? Failing to pay bills on time

? Not diversifying investments

? Skipping financial education

? Failing to track your net worth

? Not planning for retirement

? Avoiding conversations about money

3?? Want a simple, low-stress way to invest for the long term?

Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) might just be the strategy you need.

Here's how it works and why it's so effective:

Invest a fixed amount regularly (like AED 500/month), no matter how the market behaves. Buy more when prices are low, and less when they’re high. ??

Example:If the stock price is AED 100, you get 5 shares. If the price drops to AED 50, you get 10 shares.

Why It Works:

? No stress to time the market

? Spreads risk

? Consistent investing

4?? Here’s How to Calculate Your Net Worth ??

Want a clear picture of your financial health? Calculating your net worth is a simple and effective way to assess where you stand.

Here's how you can do it.

? List Your Assets: Add up everything you own — cash, investments, property, and valuables.

? List Your Liabilities: Include all debts — loans, credit card balances, mortgages, etc.

? Use this formula: Net Worth = Assets - Liabilities

5?? Thinking of buying a home? Here are some lesser-known home loan truths that can help you make smarter choices:

? Loan Terms Matter: A 15-year vs. 30-year loan can save you thousands in interest.

? Hidden Costs: Closing fees, insurance, and appraisals add up. So, plan ahead.

? Interest Rate vs. Annual Percentage Rate (APR): APR includes fees, showing the true cost of the loan.

? Negotiate Terms: Lenders may be flexible on rates and fees—be sure to ask!

? Refinance Isn’t Always Easy: Watch out for fees that may make refinancing less beneficial.

? Prepayment Penalties: Some loans charge fees if you pay off early—check the fine print.

6?? IPOs: How to evaluate before you invest ??

Planning to invest in an Initial Public Offering (IPO)?

Here’s how to evaluate it before making a decision:

? Understand the Business: Research what the company does.

? Review the Prospectus: Check financials, plans, and risks.

? Evaluate the Valuation: Compare the pricing with industry peers.

? Check Leadership: Look at the experience of the management team.

? Market Conditions: Study current market trends and growth potential.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed these nuggets as much as we’ve loved creating them and picked up some handy tips to manage your family finances even better.

There’s great content lined up for the upcoming weeks, so make sure to stay tuned. If you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button so you’re always in the loop.