Personal finance is a big subject. It’s fair to say there’s more to know than the average credit-card-swiping, online-bank-account-monitoring, stock-market-checking individual can keep track of.
That’s why we’ve assembled some of the top tips for personal finance in one place.
The Basics
Know your net worth
The difference between your assets and debts equates to your net worth. It’s a big-picture number. But when tracked regularly, knowing your net worth can give you a good sense of whether you’re moving forward in your financial situation or if you need to make some budgeting adjustments. Our calculator can help.
Understand the power of interest rates
Suffice it to say that interest rates drive a lot of decisions about debt and savings. Which loans to pay off first, what savings account to open, when to refinance a home – the answers to all of these questions come down to interest rates. Pay heed and gain command of the interest rates in your life.
Budgeting
Set a realistic budget
Not just a financial buzz word, a budget helps you know how much you’re to cut back or reallocate. Get started with a cash flow analysis. But be realistic. No one expects you to give up your social life. Include in your budget resources for indulgences such as restaurants, movies, happy hours and sporting events.
Start an emergency fund
An emergency fund houses cash you can access immediately in times of trouble. What’s trouble? Job loss, medical emergencies, a broken down car, major house expenses (e.g., a broken air conditioner, a leaky roof). Take the extra step and set up a separate account for your emergency fund; don’t combine it with an existing checking account. Doing so will keep you honest and your emergency savings as a reliable resource. Set financial goals A financial goal is anything significant you want to do with your money: buy a house, send a child to college, pay off debt, take a European trip, or get replacement windows. You should never be without goals. Once identified, determine how much you need to save for each goal, apply a target date, and set up regular investments toward your goals. Our savings goals calculator can help.
A financial goal is anything significant you want to do with your money: buy a house, send a child to college, pay off debt, take a European trip, or get replacement windows. You should never be without goals. Once identified, determine how much you need to save for each goal, apply a target date, and set up regular investments toward your goals. Our savings goals calculator can help.
Debt
Pay off small debt first
Studies have shown that paying off small debts first can give you the confidence you need to tackle the larger ones. One way to go about this is list your debts in order of their balances, then pay the smallest balance first, paying its monthly minimum and throwing any extra cash at it each month. At the same time, make minimum payments on the largest debts. Once the smallest is paid off, apply its minimum payment to the next smallest debt. And so on until all are paid off.
Don’t co-sign a loan
It may make you look like a super human being to co-sign your friend or brother’s loan, but that shouldn’t be your primary concern. Instead, remember that if the borrower misses a payment, the lender can come after you for the money – and your credit score may take a plunge. As for your relationship with the borrower...
Fill out the FAFSA
Got a kid going to college? Even if you think you won’t qualify for financial aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s your ticket to the Pell Grant, which doesn’t need to be paid back, federal work-study jobs, federally-subsidized student loans and, in some cases, scholarships offered by your child’s college.
There’s a saying: Your kids can borrow for college, but you can’t borrow for retirement. Set up your retirement savings plan first, then begin saving for college.
Saving for retirement
Start saving ASAP
If you have a full time job, don’t put off starting a retirement account. Even if you only save $25 a month at first, your money will grow over time through the power of compound growth. In years that you receive a raise at work, pay it forward and increase your retirement contributions. Retirement calculators can help you estimate how much you need.
Don’t cash out your retirement account early
You’ve worked hard to save for retirement, so resist the urge to cash it out for an emergency (see “Start an emergency fund” above). Doing so will hit you with a hefty fee for early withdrawal and a tax bill.
This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. This information is not meant to be a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making financial or investment decisions and does not constitute a recommendation.
Please note that the information provided may include references to concepts that have legal, accounting and tax implications. It is not to be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice, and is provided as general information to you to assist in understanding the issues discussed.
This information is not meant as financial or investment advice pertaining to your personal situation. The selection of appropriate investment, insurance or planning options and/or strategies should be made on an individual basis after consultation with appropriate legal, tax and financial advisors. Nothing contained herein is intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any product or service mentioned and they may not be suitable for all investors.
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