March 2020 Financial Checklist

It’s officially March people! And the summer may be over, but the fun doesn’t stop yet folks! With International Women’s Day, World Happiness Day and St Patrick’s Day all happening in the same month, you can expect March to be a total whirlwind.

So, get ready, ‘cause it’s time for your favourite Financial Checklist: March 2020 edition!

Take back your financial power this International Women’s Day

“Who run the world? Girls! Who run the world? Girls!” The 8th March marks International Women’s Day, ladies! And what better way to celebrate women than embracing your girl power and taking control of your finances?

Recent CreditSmart data found that an astonishing 65% of Aussie women have never checked their credit report before.

This is especially concerning considering that your credit score can ultimately be the make or break of whether you’re approved for a loan or anything else that requires a credit check - whether that be a postpaid phone plan or something bigger, like a mortgage or car loan.

So, why not take the opportunity to do a quick check-in with your personal finances this International Women’s Day? That way you can start improving the shape or your credit score and we can work towards bringing that 65% statistic down.

Switch to ditch energy bill shock this Autumn

With the summer heat slowly starting to sizzle away, so is the need to have your aircon switched on around the clock at full blast. And if you’ve been left with some serious summer energy bill shock, then you (and your wallet) will hopefully be happy to see some respite - that is, until winter rolls in!

Which means that now is as good a time as any to sit down and revise your current energy plan then compare energy provider’s to see if you could potentially save money by switching to a better deal.

Make your own luck this St Patrick’s Day

The 17th March is just around the corner and do you know what that means? St Patrick’s Day of course! So, keep your eyes peeled for money on the ground and four-leaf clovers. But don’t just rely on the luck of the Irish, you can make your own luck! 

A little goes a long way - you can really make a difference to your account balance by implementing a few simple savings strategies.

For example, after doing the math, former Mozo Money Writer Remy realised she could save over $1,200 a year by ditching her daily takeaway coffee for a homemade cuppa Joe instead. What’s something that you could switch to help save some extra cash?

Practice mindfulness this International Day of Happiness

Another event that’s sure to put a smile on your dial is International Day of Happiness on March 20th. This year’s theme ‘Happier Together’ is about achieving happiness with others by focusing on our similarities rather than what divides us.

They say the first step to helping others find happiness is to find happiness within yourself - but how? It’s different for everyone, but one great place to start is through mindfulness and meditation. By being present, you’ll inevitably become more conscious of your actions towards others and adopt a more positive mindset.

When you start practising mindfulness, the benefits will quickly filter through to other areas of your life. For example, you’ll ultimately save money by becoming a conscious spender and being mindful of your spending habits as you’ll spend more wisely and not just splurge for the sake of it. Something to think about.

Consider the bigger picture this Pisces season

In 2019, our Mozo Magic 8-ball predicted a steady flow of money for you, Pisces. Following on from this, your 2020 vision highlights the importance of establishing a greater sense of balance in your life when rewarding yourself as this continues coming into fruition, Pisces.

Buy the car, book the holiday! You only live once, right? Just remember to consider the bigger picture when making decisions around money to ensure a more sustainable financial future. Heading to Hawaii? Two words: travel insurance. A valuable lesson for all the signs, not just our Pisces pals.

Well, that’s another monthly Financial Checklist done and dusted! Head to our life & money hub for an extra dose of personal finance fun - otherwise, we’ll see you back here in April 2020, folks!