10 Tips to Boost Your Financial Education
Being "money smart" means you are
financially savvy, or possess the skills to manage your money and make smart,
logical decisions about it. The financial education covers of the book smarts and
street smarts; Some people may exude an innate financial awareness from birth,
while others may spend their entire lives studying the art of others.
Regardless of your current level of financial
education, there is always room for improvement. As policies change and new
laws are enforced, your financial landscape can change dramatically, for better
or for worse. Check out our tips below for ways to stay current and constantly improve
your money intelligence.
10 ways to continually improve your
financial education
1. Involve your partner and
children. If
only one person handles finances in your household, consider involving everyone
in some way. You may discover differences of opinion that need to be resolved,
but effort can define and solidify your financial goals. You can also help your
children learn the value of a dollar, a lesson often missed as our society
becomes increasingly cashless.
2. Secure your financial
identity. Whether
you have been issued a new credit card for preventative measures or have had to
spend countless hours on telephone dispute charges, identity theft is now
commonplace. Make sure your accounts remain secure by carefully monitoring your
transactions and changing your login information periodically. You may even
want to sign up for third-party fraud monitoring for added peace of mind.
3. Consume information
regularly. Books,
newspapers, blogs, podcasts, and webinars can contain useful information. Just
remember that you are consuming someone's particular point of view, so you need
to gather a lot of information before making your own judgments. For more
in-depth instruction, you can search for a finance class at a local college,
church, or financial institution.
4. Know your credit score. This small number can dramatically
affect your financial situation, especially when it comes time to get quick
credit or buy your home "forever." The credit scoring process is
complicated.
5. Record your expenses. Take a moment to track your expenses
over a set period of time. It can be surprising how much you spend on a
particular category, like dining out, over the course of a month. Once you
understand your habits, it is much easier to change them and steer your money
in a different direction.
6. Develop a savings strategy. Once you record your expenses, you can
create a realistic budget that includes saving money for an emergency fund, a
certain goal, or retirement. By "paying yourself" and keeping the
money out of sight (and out of mind), you can build a solid foundation for your
financial future.
7. Incorporate a financial
management tool. There
are a wide variety of free and paid tools on the market that can help you
manage your credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, and more. While
some look like sophisticated verification records, others have robust budget,
forecasting, and bill paying capabilities. Find one that works for you and your
unique needs.
8. Consider how to make your
money work for you. While
this may seem like advice to future retirees or people with substantial
savings, the truth is that your money can start working for you at any age.
Research the benefits of compound interest or different strategies for creating
passive income. The sooner you think about "outside" sources of
income, the more wealth you can potentially accumulate.
9. Think long term. It's a good idea to consider your
retirement and legacy planning options, even if you're years away from using
them. Tying up loose ends - like naming beneficiaries, setting up a trust, or
writing a will - now instead of later. Your plans may change as the years go
by, but it's good to have your affairs in order and an end goal in mind to
inspire future success.
10. Ask around. Great
advice can come from unlikely sources. Your friends, family, and co-workers may
be willing to share your stories, especially if your stories are successful.
You can even find a financial mentor in your inner circle who can offer
guidance for free; Keep in mind, however, that each experience.
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