October 31, 2019 • 7 mins
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You might think that mastering money will only come when you're older, wiser, have debts paid off, or get a raise. That's all untrue. If you're reading this, you can begin mastering your money now.
At Patelco, we design products and tools that empower you to make healthy financial choices to build your financial wellness. If you want to talk more, visit a local branch to meet with a Certified Financial Specialist. Our Certified Financial Specialists can also set up a meeting by phone, and they’re here to listen to your questions and provide free guidance — not to sell products. They can help you put these 10 tips to the best use in your personal financial journey.
Save and invest 5-10% of your gross annual income. If you're currently living from paycheck to paycheck without any real opportunity to get ahead, begin by creating a solid spending plan after tracking all monthly expenses.
Once you figure out how you can control your discretionary spending, you can redirect the money into a savings account. For many people, a good way to start saving regularly is to have a small amount transferred automatically from their paycheck to a savings account or mutual fund. The idea: If you don't see it, you don't miss it.
If you’re trying to save while carrying a large credit card balance at, say, 19.8%, realize that paying off credit card debt is a guaranteed return of nearly 20% per year. Once you pay off your credit cards, use them only for convenience, and pay off the balance each month. If you tend to run up credit card charges, get rid of the credit card.
Many of us don’t think about our credit profile very often. You may only consider it if you're finding out your credit score or applying for a loan. In reality, checking your profile regularly helps safeguard your identity and financial health, just like getting a checkup from your doctor helps your physical health.
Checking your credit report is a great way to monitor for identity theft. Reports show your accounts, so you can see if there's anything you don't recognize. Learn more on the FTC’s website, and request three reports via annualcreditreport.com or 877.322.8228. Innovis also offers a free credit report via their credit report page.
Saving tends to be easier when you have a certain purpose in mind.”
Saving tends to be easier when you have a certain purpose in mind: Saving for your first house, your retirement, a child’s college education, or even a trip around the world. The important thing is for your goals to be specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound, or SMART.
According to the US census, since 1968, the median price of new single-family homes has gone up almost tenfold; most houses appreciate (gain in value) at rates that meet or beat inflation. Further, home ownership entitles you to major tax breaks. Check with your tax adviser or the latest IRS regulations to see if the interest on your mortgage is fully deductible, meaning Uncle Sam helps subsidize your property investment. Additionally, the equity in your home can be a great source of retirement income.
Even if you're years away from being able to buy a home, begin saving now, even if it's only a few dollars a month. That’s a step that everyone can take.
If your employer has a tax-deferred investment plan like a 401(k) or 403(b), use it. Often, employers will match your investment. Even if they don’t, no taxes are due on your contributions or earnings until you retire and begin withdrawing the funds. Tax-deferred savings means that your investments can grow much faster than they would otherwise. The same is true of IRAs, although the maximum amount you can invest annually in an IRA is substantially less than what you can put in a 401(k) or 403(b).
When it comes to managing risk to maximize your return, it pays to diversify. First you need to diversify among the three major asset classes: cash, stocks and bonds. Once you have decided on an allocation strategy among these three investment classes, it is important to diversify within each asset. This means buying multiple stocks within a variety of industries and holding bonds of varying maturities. Don’t make the mistake of putting most or all of your money in “safe” investments like savings accounts, share certificates and money market funds. Over the long haul, inflation and taxes will devour the purchasing power of your money in these “safe havens.”
All investments involve some trade-off between risk and return. Diversification reduces unnecessary risk by spreading your money among a variety of investments. Aside from diversification, the single most effective strategy is to invest continuously over time, with a long-term perspective.
Before you commit your newfound savings to volatile and hard-to-reach investments, make sure you have at least three months’ worth of expenses saved in an emergency fund. Keeping it liquid will ensure that you don't have to sell investments when their prices are down and guarantee that you can always get to your money quickly.
If you have trouble deciding how much you need to keep on hand, begin by considering the standard expenses you have in a month, and then estimate all the expenses you might have in the future (possible insurance deductibles and other emergencies). Generally, if you spend a larger portion of your income on discretionary expenses that you could cut easily in a financial crisis, the less money you need to keep on hand in your emergency account.
The simplest way to ensure that your funds, property and personal effects will be distributed according to your wishes is to prepare a will. A will is a legal document that ensures that your assets will be given to family members or other beneficiaries you designate. Although wills are simple to create, about half of all Americans die without a will. With no will to indicate your wishes, the court could step in and distributes your property according to the laws of your state. If you have no apparent heirs and die without a will, it’s even possible that the state may claim your estate.
To begin, take an inventory of your assets, outline your objectives and determine to which friends and family you wish to pass your belongings to. Then, work with a legal advisor to write your will. Make sure that your family knows that you have a will, and where to find it when the time comes. (A safe deposit box or a lawyer’s office are common places.)
An accident, unexpected illness, or death can be financially devastating if you lack proper insurance. The key to insurance is to cover only financial losses so large that you could not cope with them and remain financially fit. If someone is dependent on your income, you need adequate life insurance. Long-term disability coverage is important if you need employment income. Also, be sure to carry adequate liability coverage on your home and auto policies.
To save on annual premiums, it might be feasible for you to raise your insurance deductible or eliminate dual coverage. And whenever purchasing insurance – life, home, disability, or auto – be sure to shop around, and buy only from a reputable company.
Source(s) consulted: Broadridge Financial Solutions.
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