Business

How to Take Back Control of Your Finances

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2021

Living your life without financial worries is something we all aim for, avoiding the stress that comes with settling bills on time. However, this is difficult to achieve for many, especially if you earn a low income but still need to make ends meet. Whether you have been living paycheck to paycheck with very little in savings or have been enjoying the past few years using credit for the things you want, it is probably time to take back control. It is easy to put off financial issues until they become a much greater problem, but this only makes climbing out of it a tougher task. Here’s how you can start to take back control of your finances today.

Review Your Outgoings

Having a picture of your financial situation is the best way to start and will quickly show you where your efforts need to be focused. By reviewing your total outgoings against your income, you will be able to determine your disposable income – money that is left over after all essential outgoings are paid. If you are left with very little after your essential bills, such as rent or mortgage payments, are paid, this will indicate you will need to address your other monthly expenditure. If you have disposable income and this comes as a surprise, it could be because your spending on non-essential items is high.

Borrow Only When You Need To

If you are in a cycle of relying on credit to make purchases, this could be slowly increasing your level of debt. The best way forward is to only choose to borrow credit when it is necessary and avoid borrowing to pay for non-essential items. It can be tempting to take advantage of buy now pay later schemes or store cards, but this can quickly mount up. By only turning to credit if you have no other options in an emergency, for example, savings or available credit, you can reduce credit dependency. Lenders who offer payday loans online can help to provide a short term option when you need it most and when you have few other options. In the long-term, you’ll want to have an emergency savings fund to rely on instead.

Build Your Savings

Whilst it may seem you have very little to save, you may have discovered opportunities to reduce your outgoings when reviewing your finances. By reducing non-essential spending, you will have more money to save. Your essential outgoings should always be your top priority, but from the money that is leftover in your disposable income, starting to put some of this aside will build a stronger financial outlook. You should aim to build both your savings and an emergency savings fund so that you have money you can grow as well as savings to cover the unexpected. Start with you can afford to save and build from there.

Budget Your Spending

One of the most difficult habits to stick to that will help gain control of your finances is being consistent. The best way to achieve this is by creating a budget that will help curb any impulse buying. Your budget will be determined by how much disposable income you have, which you can then break down into weekly spend. This way, you’ll know if you are on track to achieving your savings goal, for example. Sticking to a budget will ensure your essential bills are always covered and you do not run out of money too quickly after your salary date.

These are just some of the ways to start and help you take back control of your finances. If you are currently in debt, you will be able to start reducing this quicker than before and focus on a healthy financial future.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.