Building a secure future is something that is always top of mind. In conversations with friends and family, it is obvious that many of us are grappling with the relentless pressure of the high cost of living. As prices for essentials like housing, healthcare, and education continue to soar, it can seem nearly impossible to look past meeting today’s needs. However, no matter how challenging our financial situation may be, there are strategies and techniques we can employ to build a savings cushion for a more secure future.
Achieving a secure future requires more than just earning a good income and living frugally; it involves making sound financial decisions and adopting prudent money management principles. In this blog post, we will explore five key principles that can help you get ahead on your financial journey. These principles- saving before spending, building an emergency fund, creating a budget, paying off debt, and investing—are the building blocks of financial success. They encompass both mindset changes and practical strategies that, when combined, can pave the way for a secure and prosperous future.
Save Before Spending: The Mindset Change
Now, this one is a difficult one. We just said how tough it is to save money these days with all the financial challenges around us. I was spending each penny I had, and literally had too much month at the end of my money. It reminds me of something I heard while listening to one of Warren Buffett’s speeches, and it perfectly sums up my situation. In that speech, he also emphasised that having the right mindset is the most crucial tool to tackle this challenge.
One of the most fundamental shifts you can make in your financial approach is to save before you spend. This means treating savings as a non-negotiable expense rather than an afterthought. As soon as you receive your income, allocate a portion to your savings account before you pay bills or indulge in discretionary spending. By prioritising savings, you ensure that your financial future is secure, and you’ll be less tempted to spend every dollar that comes your way.
You can prioritise saving, but it has to be done in conjunction with limiting the wastage that could be in your expenses today. I talk about how to cut wastage and find a more affordable way of living here.
Build an Emergency Fund: Peace of Mind in Uncertain Times
So now that you are on a saving path, the first saving must be for an emergency fund. Life is full of unexpected events, and many of them come with financial implications. Having a well-funded emergency fund can provide peace of mind during challenging moments and set us on the right track for a secure future. The trick is to ensure that this money is kept separate from your day-to-day account so it’s not easily accessible. Find a high-interest savings account to keep your money.
Start by saving one month’s expenses buffer, but ultimately aim to save up to six months’ worth of your income in a dedicated emergency fund. This fund will serve as a financial safety net in case of medical emergencies, job loss, or unforeseen expenses. With an emergency fund in place, you won’t have to resort to high-interest credit cards or loans to cover unexpected costs.
Create a Budget: Mindful Spending and Financial Awareness
A budget is a tool that will help you succeed on your goals. Creating a budget is like creating a roadmap for a secure future. It helps you understand where your money is coming from and where it’s going. Start by tracking your monthly income and expenses. Categorise your spending into essential (needs) and non-essential (wants) categories. A budget allows you to identify areas where you can cut back and allocate more to savings and debt repayment.
Many of us struggle with budgets, especially today, where many payments are made electronically or by card. These payment options mask the reality of the starting point (when we get paid this month) and the endpoint (when we get paid next month) of our spending. It doesn’t help that we have the easy shopping of Amazon, and online shopping leading us to live on credit cards rather than on our true income.
Pay Off Debt: The Path to Financial Freedom
That leads nicely to this point. Debt can be a significant obstacle to financial success, especially when it carries high interest rates. According to the May 2019 Money Statistics, produced by The Money Charity, it would take the average person in the UK 26 years and 9 months to pay off the average credit card debt if they only make the minimum payment each month. Don’t let this be you – avoid purchasing something that will burden you with payments for the next three decades.
First, try not to use credit card debt over a prolonged time. Pay off the balance monthly. If you have debt, make it a priority to pay off high-interest debts as quickly as possible. Start with credit card debt and personal loans, as these often have the highest interest rates. Once you’ve paid off one debt, roll the amount you were paying into the next one. This snowball effect can accelerate your debt repayment progress and free up more of your income for saving and investing.
Invest for the Long Term: Allocating for Growth
For many, the mere mention of “investing” conjures up images of sharks in suits, brough to life in the less-than-flattering portrayal of Wall Street. Furthermore, let’s be honest; many of us didn’t excel in math, and as soon as we hear terms like “yields” and “allocations,” our eyes tend to glaze over, and we might find ourselves inching toward the exit.
However, investing is a crucial step in building wealth and securing your financial future, and it is not that complicated. While investing involves a degree of risk, a diversified portfolio can help. Engaging the services of a financial advisor can indeed be invaluable when it comes to making sound financial decisions when you are considering investing, as everyone has different circumstances, and you have to do what is right for you.
A Secure Future: Here are some guidelines for investing I found useful
When I first started investing, I would listen to the guy in the office, some Wall Street talking head on the news, or worse, follow the latest ‘new’ trend. All this led to ultimate losses for me. Eventually, I settled on old and boring; the following strategies tend to give better results over the long term.
First, ensure that you have maxed your pension contributions. Doing just that will get you on the investing ladder, as pensions are invested on your behalf in the stock and bonds markets. Next I would contribute the maximum in my ISA each year and preferably put that money in a Stocks and Shares ISA. NB: Check your pension laws and terms in the country in which you live for the relevant similar vehicles. (for example, in the US, consider 401Ks, Roth IRAs etc, and fully utilise these tax advantages).
If you have more left over to invest, consider options like low-cost index funds (ETFs, REITs etc) to start with before embarking on single-stock investing. For your own peace of mind, follow blogs, listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos to educate yourself. Aim to allocate at least 20% of your income toward investing in areas with minimal risk. Remember that investing is a long game, and it’s essential to have a well-thought-out strategy that aligns with your financial goals.
Conclusion
Achieving financial success in today’s uncertain economy is challenging. But there is no quick fix. Instead, as it has always been, securing a stable financial future requires a shift in mindset towards responsible money management and well-informed decision-making. These five core principles—prioritising saving before spending, setting up an emergency fund, creating a budget, eliminating debt, and investing wisely—serve as the cornerstones of financial prosperity. By adhering to these principles, you can build a robust foundation for your future, reach your financial goals, and ultimately find peace in financial security.
