Juggling between investments, insurances, a savings account, and a checking account can be stressful.
Many people around the world have student loans, have been spending more than they earn, fail to make their payments in due time, and do not have any savings. Managing finances can be quite an overwhelming task but like all other things in life, there are some guaranteed formulas that can be followed in order to be successful.
Managing finances sure is tough but we can hardly deny the fact that it is absolutely essential. Without proper financial planning, people are more likely to struggle during their retirement, which is not ideal.
Additionally, savings help people in getting out of sticky situations should they arise.
There are professional financial advisors around the world who help people in managing their finances. However, if you want to take care of your finances on your own, these are some of the facts that you might want to keep in mind for the long run!
Financial Awareness And Management
In the present day, there is a great need for understanding how to manage finances and become more financially aware. While such things can sound very intimidating and often can be a little tough, there is absolutely no alternative to it.
Financial goals are important but what is more important is the ability to chase the goals, and awareness of a few basic rules can help people in hitting their targets.
The first aspect of understanding the world of personal finance is to set goals.
Without a proper vision for the future, financial stability cannot be attained.
Many people in America and around the world at large have some sort of debt.
The repayment of such debt is the most important task.
This is because debt costs in terms of both time and money.
For example, delaying the repayment of a student loan can lead to you paying more money than you actually would have had to with proper planning.
With income taxes, insurances, and other expenses in place, most Americans spend $1.33 for every USD earned.
Needless to say, their cost of living is more expensive than what they earn.
At this rate, people become defaulters in terms of their debt and also struggle in paying for basic necessities.
Most people in America do not have savings enough to pay for an emergency requirement.
Borrowing money, therefore, becomes the only viable option for most people.
If starting small, the emergency fund of over $500 should ideally be set aside by all people in order for them to be able to pay for any immediate needs.
Financial management refers to the practices that can help people in understanding their financial status and thereby doing what can be done in order to achieve financial stability.
There are professionals, namely financial advisors, who provide guidance to people regarding their financial status and what can be done in order to improve it.
Importance Of Financial Health
Maintaining proper financial health is an essential part of being alive in this world. Not only has it become important for people to manage their payments, but creating ample savings for their retired life is also considered an absolute necessity.
Understandably, people want to lead comfortable lives when they have retired, which is why the cost of living needs to be calculated both in terms of the present day and in the projected rates of the future economy.
Having a savings account is very important for everyone.
By maintaining a comfortable savings rate from a young age, people can reach retirement with enough money saved up for them to lead a great life.
Savings are also required for people who plan on raising children.
Paying for college is one of the many factors that can make a dent in people's savings if they don't plan properly.
Without any savings, an individual is forced towards taking a student loan, which is something that can bother someone for a long time.
Apart from retirement, savings are also required in order to keep people from borrowing money or getting in debt if an emergency situation arises.
Spending more than your income is one of the mistakes that people commonly make.
A huge part of being financially stable is being able to make a plan according to the income and sticking to it.
Spending more than the income is one of the things that is sure to land people in debt.
Investing money in places that give compound interest is a way of increasing wealth.
People who do not have any savings for their retirement by the time they are 40 tend to have a tougher time in managing expenses later.
Most financial advisors say that managing expenses at a young age is the key to leading a stable life in terms of finances.
Most millennials do not have any savings according to statistics.
Expense Management
Expense management is a tough thing at first but once people get the hang of it, it can be very easy. The trick is to start small and stay consistent with the efforts.
Financial advisors all over the world suggest that making short-term goals allows people to stay motivated.
Once the smaller goals are achieved, people start feeling accomplished and eventually become prepared for the long-term ones. The trick, according to most experts, is to not procrastinate when it comes to paying off debt, a student loan, or even starting with savings!
When it comes to personal finance, the 50-30-20 rule comes in very handy.
According to this tried and tested rule, 50% of a person's expenditure should be spent on their needs.
30% should be spent on the 'wants' or desires. In other terms, this amount is to be spent on inessential things.
The rest of the 20% should be set aside in a savings account of a bank at the very start of the month.
This allows people to have a lifestyle that can not only accommodate all the essential and inessential things but also have some saved up cash.
Most people become lethargic when it comes to paying their credit card bills.
Forfeiting the deadlines of credit card payments leads to a financial loss which must be avoided at all costs.
Essential payments such as paying credit card bills must be counted as essential.
Repaying any other form of debt also comes in the first 50% of the income.
If the debt is not cleared, both money and time are lost.
For people who have children, saving up for their kids to go to college is also essential.
Savings set aside for education allow the children to be free of the burden of any debt.
Setting aside retirement money from a young age is said to be a necessity.
Setting aside a small amount of money every month for many years is way easier than starting late and having to set aside huge amounts of money.
People are often advised to have at least six months of salary as savings.
This helps them to pay for utilities in case of any emergency or even in case they lose their jobs.
Savings not only help people in leading better lives but also make them more confident.
While frivolous spending habits provide temporary thrill and excitement, financial stability is a source of lasting joy.
FAQs
What are some financial questions?
The most asked financial questions are regarding the skill of saving money. Most people have a tough time trying to figure out how they can save money for their retirement as well as for any emergencies.
Many people in America, mostly millennials, do not save any money for their retirement and cannot pay for any immediate necessities without having to take debt. This is not an ideal situation and most people seek guidance about savings.
Another question is regarding how much money is required for retirement. People also have a tough time understanding what amount would be required in order to have a comfortable retired life.
The third commonly asked question is about credit scores and how to keep them from being low. Such issues can be solved by being more diligent about finances and understanding the need for saving and investing.
What's the 50-30-20 budget rule?
The 50-30-20 budget rule is very effective, as is confirmed by many financial experts around the world.
According to this rule, 50% of a person's income should be used for the needs that a person may have, 30% should go towards the wants, and the remaining 20% of the income should be put in a savings account for future use.
If this rule is followed from a young age, people can establish themselves as financially stable individuals and can also maintain a very sustainable savings rate.
How much does a financial advisor cost?
The amount of money that you would be paying to a financial advisor is dependent on the amount of assets that they manage for you. The basic rule of thumb is that the more assets that you have, the greater the amount of money that you will be paying your financial advisor.
The percentage of assets charged by financial advisors is variable but they usually charge between 0.5-1% of the assets managed. Essentially, the more assets, the greater the percentage charged.
What does financial institution mean?
Financial institutions are those that act as intermediaries for financial transactions and monetary matters. Your bank would be considered a financial institution.
How do financial advisors make money?
Financial advisors help people in terms of their personal finance. These people take care of people's assets and help them in reaching their financial goals. Their annual income is a percentage of all the assets that they control. The greater the number of assets that each person entrusts with a financial advisor, the greater the percentage charged.
How to read financial statements?
Personal finance management can be very tricky and all the jargon in the financial world is of no help either. In order to understand financial statements, the first and most important thing to do would be to familiarize yourself with some of the commonly used words and phrases in the financial world.
Words like revenue, profit, income, liabilities, and assets, which come up very frequently in the world of finance must be understood thoroughly.
What is financial management?
Financial management can be a scary thing for old and young people alike. Financial management refers to handling personal finance in such a way that the individual is able to pay for their expenses whilst also saving enough for any emergencies as well as for retirement.
The aspect of payments of debt, setting spending limits, and managing credit card bills comes within the umbrella term of financial management!
We Want Your Photos!
Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.
With a background in digital marketing, Niyati brings her expertise to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every piece of content. She has previously written articles for MuseumFacts, a history web magazine, while also handling its digital marketing. In addition to her marketing skills, Niyati is fluent in six languages and has a Commerce degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has also been recognized for her public speaking abilities, holding the position of Vice President of Education at the Toastmasters Club of Pune, where she won several awards and represented the club in writing and speech contests at the area level.
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.