So, you’ve graduated college and entered the “real world.” Congrats! You’re officially an adult! (kind of). Now, it’s time to start making some smart money moves.
Your 20s and 30s are a time for exploration, fun, and freedom. You may be considering taking out college loans or struggling to pay them back. Whatever the case may be, how you handle money in your 20s – from saving and spending habits down to how much debt you incur- will stay long with you after these years are over.
Living within a budget and penny-pinching isn’t fun. But it’s better than finding yourself swimming in debt or stressed about money. Avoid these 13 mistakes in your 20s and 30s, and you’ll have the security of knowing how to handle your finances for life!
1. Spending more money than you earn:
One key to building wealth is living within your means. However, it can be hard when we feel deprived of what others seem able to enjoy without any effort at all!
For your spending pattern to be sustainable in the long run, you need more than just discipline; It also takes strategy! Learn happiness in simplicity and live comfortably without any unnecessary debts or financial pressures on yourself.
2. Spending without a budget:
“I’ll just wing it” is not an effective money strategy. Without a plan, it’s easy to overspend and fall into debt. A budget allocates your money towards specific expenses, helping you stay mindful of your spending. It might be challenging sticking to a budget, but it’s worth the effort when it means saving money.
3. Buying things you can’t afford:
It’s normal to want what we can’t have, but spending money you don’t have is a surefire way to financial ruin. Just because you can get a loan for a new car or put it on your credit card doesn’t mean you should. With credit cards come high-interest rates and lots of temptation to buy things you can’t afford. Resist the urge to rack up debt and only use your credit card when you have money saved up to cover the purchase.
4. Delaying saving for retirement:
You may be thinking that you’ll save more money later when it’s easier, but this can cost dearly in terms of lost opportunity. For every year you put off saving for retirement, you’ll have to save twice as much to make up for it! To avoid missing out on “the power of compounding,” start your retirement savings early.
5. Not taking advantage of employer matches:
If your company offers a 401(k) employer match program, take advantage of it! Your employer is practically gifting you free money to help you save for retirement. Make sure to contribute at least enough money to get the full match from your company. Otherwise, you’re leaving money that should be yours.
6. Investing in too many high-risk stocks:
It can be tempting to invest in stocks that offer the potential for high returns, but these investments are also high risk. If the stock market takes a downturn, you could lose a lot of money. Instead, invest in a diversified mix of stocks and bonds to minimize your risk.
7. Not investing at all:
Investing may seem like an uphill task, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your future. With investing, you can grow your money at a lower risk percentage than gambling or stock market speculation. Consider starting with low-risk investments and gradually increasing your risk as you become more comfortable with the idea of investing.
8. Not having an emergency fund:
We all hope that nothing unpleasant will happen to us in the future, but accidents and emergencies do occur. Setting aside an emergency fund will guarantee that you don’t dip into your savings or run into debt when an unpleasant situation comes up. Try to save 4-6 months’ worth of living expenses, so you’re prepared for any surprises.
9. Not building your credit score:
A high credit score is essential for securing loans at favorable interest rates. If you don’t have a credit history, start building one. You can build your credit rating by:
- Paying your bills on time
- Asking for higher credit limits
- Disputing credit report errors
- Using a secured credit card
- Strategically pay your credit card balances
So, pay close attention to your credit score. Identify areas where you need to improve and get to work.
10. Not educating yourself about money:
Financial literacy is key to making sound money decisions. If you don’t understand how money works, it’s easy to be taken advantage of or make costly mistakes. Make it a point to learn as much as you can about money management, investing, and other money-related topics. The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be to make sound financial decisions for yourself.
11. Spending from your retirement savings:
It can be tempting to use your retirement savings for things like a new car or a down payment on a house, but doing so can have significant consequences. Once you’ve withdrawn money from your 401(k) or IRA, it isn’t easy to put it back. You may also face penalties and taxes on the money you withdraw. If you require funds for a large purchase, try to find other ways to get it, such as taking out a loan or saving up over time.
12. Not having insurance:
Insurance is one of those things that we hope we’ll never have to use, but it’s essential to have just in case something happens. Whether you’re covered by health insurance, life insurance, or disability insurance, it’s crucial to have a policy in place in case something happens.
13. Being over-indebted:
Debt is a common financial stressor, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by it. If you’re experiencing challenges keeping up with your monthly payments, it’s time to take action. Begin by creating and sticking to a budget. Cut expenses where you can and try to increase your income. If you still can’t make your payments, consider seeking the help of a credit counseling agency. They can help you create a plan to get out of debt and stay out of it.
Making money mistakes in your 20s and 30s can have long-term consequences, so you need to avoid them wherever possible. By making smart money decisions, you’ll put yourself in a better financial position for the future.