Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:00:00 GMT | By Alison Griffiths, MSN Money
Financial meltdown survival guide for 2013

Simplify your finances



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Simplify your finances

The KISS principle is a good one to live by when it comes to money. De-stress by de-cluttering your financial life. Have no more than two credit cards (one for emergency backup) and reduce the number of bank accounts. Bring all your insurance policies under one firm’s roof and you may be rewarded with a discount. Pay off high interest retail credit cards with a lower interest line of credit and then get rid of them. If you have multiple RRSPs, TFSAs or RESPs at different institutions, consolidate these as well. And get rid of any financial service you don’t need such as overdraft protection and credit card balance protection.

* Bing: More tips on organizing your finances

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Have your say

How many credit cards should one person have?

Thanks for being one of the first people to vote. Results will be available soon. Check for results

  1. 73 %
    Just one. Credit cards should only be used for emergency situations.
    13,319 votes
  2.  
    16 %
    As many as you can. Credit cards are a great way to make purchases and get great rewards.
    2,967 votes
  3.  
    11 %
    None. You should never buy anything on credit.
    2,007 votes

Total Responses: 18,293
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