Tag: Personal finance

  • 10 Personal Finance Podcasts to Listen to in 2021

    10 Personal Finance Podcasts to Listen to in 2021

    Personal finance is an essential area of knowledge for everyone. After all, in their lifetime every single person will be looking at saving, managing a budget, working towards a raise, paying off debt, investing and applying for a mortgage. The reality though is that few people know definitively where to start whether that’s due to a lack of education, feeling overwhelmed, or, as frequently happens, they just don’t feel comfortable talking about money. In fact, one study from Wells Fargo, reported that almost half of surveyed Americans ‒ 44% ‒ “see personal finance as the most challenging topic to discuss with others, more so than subjects like death, politics, and religion”. This is a high number yet a normalized discomfort around talking around money can make it hard for many of us to seek out information, clarify understanding and even take control of our financial circumstances which ultimately can have seriously detrimental impacts on someone’s life.

    What can we do to get educated and have a better understanding of all forms of money?

    One area of financial education that’s seemingly booming is podcasting with shows of all kinds covering business talks, entrepreneurialism, money lessons, investing explainers and much, much more launching onto the airwaves. Podcasting as a medium is incredibly accessible and with over 1.75 million shows broadcasting, there’s a show for everyone. In the finance niche, the boom in shows that debunk cryptocurrencies, broach student loan repayments, and address financial independence as well as a myriad of other spinoff topics is only just beginning. The ability to listen confidentially and learn at their own pace are both key reasons for why subscribers to these personal finance shows are so engaged and spreading the word about this gateway to having meaningful money conversations.

    Get started with personal finance podcasts

    To help with finding the right show and embark on this financial journey, All Finance Tax shared this infographic compiling 10 of the best finance podcasts for 2021. See the full list in the guide below and enjoy the auditory education!

     

  • Financial Steps – How to Secure your Financial Future

    Financial Steps – How to Secure your Financial Future

    Financial security is essential for both future life and peace of mind. Even though the world has almost recovered from the last economic crisis, nothing is certain. It is essential to have healthy personal finance to deal with future uncertainties.

    Whether you want a secure retirement or pay off all your debts or simply want to create a great financial health, developing good habits is essential. The best news is that you can achieve your goals without sacrificing what you love.  By taking some financial steps to safeguard your future you can ensure your financial security before turning 30 years old.

    Here are some easy steps you can take:

    1. Mind your Expenses

    When it comes to creating a secure financial future the first thing people think about is saving more. This isn’t always the case. Before saving, you should first start with the list of your expenses. Cutting down your unnecessary expenses can have a huge impact on your finances. Make a list of all your expenses both small and big. This will give you an insight in to your financial situation. Now decide what expenses to get rid of. It could be that extra cup of coffee you can make at home or eating more meals at home. Choose your expenses wisely and soon you will see the difference.

    1. Savings

    After taking care of your expenses the next step is obviously saving money. Savings are of many kinds. For instant, saving for your retirement, buying a house or car, paying off debts and loans are some of the type of saving you commonly see. What you need is a plan to prioritize your savings. Decide what is more important to you. For any person who is in their 30’s needs to start investing in their retirement plan. For you your retirement saving should be the top most priority. This is the time when you can save more and secure your financial future.

    1. Always Have the Records

    It is essential that you know how much money you have both in terms of currency and properties or anything. You should have a balance sheet stating your incomes, debts, expenses and net worth. This will provide you with a clear picture of where you stand financially. The balance sheet will help you design your future course. Include everything so that you reap the benefits in the future. It’s better to face the reality than ignore it for present convenience.

    1. Take Care of your Debts

    Debts are the single big reason for worry and stress for many adults. Over the years people may acquire different kinds of debts. Not paying them in time can create a huge debt problem for you. So, it is essential that you take care of your debts.

    One of the best ways to deal with debts is to deal with them as soon as possible. The first step is to stop adding to the debt. The next step is to plan a strategy to pay off the debt. Use a debt repayment calculator online to determine the best course. You can also consult the experts to find the best course. Try to make bigger contributions so that you can pay off your debts fast.

    1. Use your Credit Cards Wisely

    Did you know that credit cards debts are one of the most common types of debts? Credit card gives you the power to purchase things, but it can be very dangerous as well. So, it is important that you use it wisely. Credit cards can also be a lifesaver when it needs to be. For example, in medical emergencies you can use the credit card money to pay the bills. Likewise, you can use the credit card for other emergencies as well. Keep the credit cards for things you need urgently.

    Using the credit cards for mundane things will only add to your debts. This should be included in some of the financial steps to safeguard your future.

    1. Your Lifestyle

    Your lifestyle plays a bigger role in your financial health. Everything you do right from the food you eat to clothes you buy reflects your lifestyle. In order to create a healthy financial future you need to consider your present lifestyle. Does it add to your debt? Is it a hindrance towards your financial goal? These are the questions you need to ask yourself. If your lifestyle is posing a threat to your financial health than you need to figure out how you can make changes and make your financial future your first priority. A simple lifestyle change can have a huge impact on your overall finances.

    Conclusion

    It is essential to take some financial steps to safeguard your future. Managing your finances effectively will reflect the kind of life you are going to lead in the future.  Make sound choices and ensure that you your future is secured.

     

     

     

  • The personal finance for new generation – Taking care of your money

    The personal finance for new generation – Taking care of your money

    If you are like majority of the Americans, you must not have been saving enough for your retirement as retirees in the US are infamous for not saving enough for their post-retired age. The average age for retirement in the US is 63 and though you may have been nurturing plans of working for a longer period of time, yet your 60s should be the best time for making some of the most vital financial moves. Not saving enough for retirement and not managing your personal finances can lead to debt which in turn can mar your retirement goals. Hence, check out some key personal finance steps that you should take in order to spend a debt-free golden years.

    #1: Develop a well-proved strategy for your Social Security

    Although Social Security is designed in such a way that it replaces 40% of your pre-retirement income, it pays you to get as much dollars out of the program as is possible. Currently, there is no such rule about when you should claim your Social Security first but the only thing you should know is that the benefits will be based on the total amount which you earned while you were employed. You can count all those benefits entirely unless you reach your complete retirement age. Hence you need to devise a profitable Social Security strategy in order to secure your retired life.

    #2: Repay your mortgage liabilities

    The less is the amount of debt that you have when you go into retirement, the easier it will be for you to get on with fixed income. Mortgages are big loans and they tend to be a huge source of debt for most people who have them. Therefore once you start aging and you walk one step after another towards retirement, you have to focus on paying off your mortgage loan debt. If you see that working an extra year can give you the option of entering retirement without any mortgage debt, it is definitely a wise step to take.

    #3: Devise a budge for retirement

    Majority of the retirees require 70-80% of their pre-retirement income in order to cover all their living expenses as soon as they stop working. But you shouldn’t target that much only as there may suddenly arise other health factors like falling ill or getting admitted in the nursing home. Your budget should reflect the kind of expenses that you may have in retirement. You may still eliminate a few of your present costs in retirement like traveling expenses and some other like entertainment as these are some requirements which change after aging.

    Apart from retirement planning, another area that people need to focus on is taxes. You either have to seek help of a tax specialist or a tax manager when it comes to taking the right tax decisions. In case you feel you’ve fallen back on your taxes, make sure you seek tax help as tax specialists are all eager to help you with the same.

  • Financial Tips for Post-Graduate Life & Beyond

    Financial Tips for Post-Graduate Life & Beyond

    In college, whether you were on the straight and narrow four-year plan or the winding and sidetracked six or seven-year plan, there’s a sense of accomplishment and relief when the end is in sight and a diploma is in your hands. Your financial future, however, may be daunting and full of expectations. As long as you can remember, you were told that as long as you work hard, you’ll get ahead in life.

    Unfortunately, a diploma doesn’t automatically guarantee a planned out future and financial security as soon as you graduate. If you have a dream job lined up as soon as you exit your university, consider yourself lucky. According to After College, a job site for new college graduates, only about 14% of college graduates had “real” jobs lined up right after graduation in 2015. While you’re looking for the right job, here are some personal finance tips to keep you afloat:

    • Create a Budget: Maybe you thought your days of scrimping, saving, and eating ramen were behind you. Even if you have a decent paying job after college, it’s important to create a budget and learn to stick to it. When creating a budget, figure in all your expenses (even the ones that aren’t a constant), as it’s important to know how much money you really have to work with. Once you have figured out your monthly expenses, such as rent, student loans, food, car payments, and “fun” stuff, you may feel underwhelmed by the amount of money you are actually making.
    • Stick To Your Budget: If you want to have splurges throughout the year, such as concerts, dinner with old college roommates, or gifts around the holidays, you will have to stick to your budget. If it means going out to eat less and learning how to become a better cook and a coupon-clipping shopper, go for it. It’s a good idea to revisit your budget every couple of months to make sure you’re being financially responsible.
    • Avoid Debt, Try to Be Positive: Life right after college can be a bit “dark”, especially if you feel like you are limiting yourself from having fun, but as an educated adult it’s up to you to be creative and enjoy what you want in life. Don’t get go on vacation with friends? Host a backyard BBQ potluck and invite new friends from work and old friends from college.

    It may be tempting to open another credit card if you’re financially strapped, but unless you can make the monthly payments on time, don’t do it. Make the best of your life right now, it’ll get easier if you’re wise with your personal finances.

    Your Job as a College Graduate

    Employment after college is crucial. Even if you’re completely burned out and would like to go on some sort of a “soul searching” journey, now is not the time. If you’re not finding the “dream job”, don’t worry, a job doesn’t need to be forever. Be open to all kinds of jobs and consider the ones that offer full-time, reasonable pay, and benefits.

    You can always pay attention to the job market while already employed, but if you just wait for the right job to come to you, it’s likely your debt will be overwhelming. Another important thing to remember is to treat each job like a “real job”. While it may just be a stepping stone in your life, it’s an important one.

    Placing Loved Ones in a Retirement Home

    Once your career has taken off and you are successfully managing your personal finance, paying off student debt, and making enough to purchase your own home, a few decades can fly by quickly. At the peak of your financial success, you may find that your aging parents are ready to move into a retirement home. Here are some things to consider before helping your parents take this big step:

    • Can Your Parents Afford to Live in a Retirement Home?: Even if your finances are secure and growing over time, your parents may have little to live on. Personal finances can change for various reasons, but many elderly individuals face issues with pension or Social Security. Before you help your parents make a decision, take a look at their finances.
    • Consider Your Options: If your aging loved ones are able to get around in their home, maybe they could benefit from a live-in caregiver or one who stops over on a daily basis. This may be a cheaper and temporary alternative, but may buy you some more time as you research the best retirement home.
    • Will You Have to Chip In? If your mother or father would benefit from living in a retirement or nursing home, will you need to chip in and pay for the difference not covered by Medicaid? Do your research and talk with homes. If your parents have a limited income or health issues, they may be eligible for assistance. Look at all your resources and talk with a financial planner if you’re running into financial hurdles.