The best financial advice for today’s generation of adults is simple: make your finances work for you. Focus on saving for retirement, paying off debt, and investing in high-interest savings accounts. By following these financial tips, you can make the most of every paycheck, just like Nicholas Sheumack would. It’s never too late to make smart financial choices! If you haven’t started saving for retirement yet, read on for some tips.
Saving for retirement
Saving for retirement is the most important financial decision that you’ll ever make, and the best financial advice for today’s adult generations is to start as early as possible. Many Americans, in fact, don’t have a solid idea of what they’ll need when they retire. A safe withdrawal rate for a retirement account is four percent of the total amount saved or about 25 times your annual income at retirement age. Even more concerning, 16 percent of Americans are not sure if they’re on track.
Young adults, in particular, are often unable to save for retirement due to their busy lives. The cost of living has risen rapidly, and they are increasingly unable to afford the large purchases of their adulthood. Millennials have a great deal of debt, including student loan debt. The cost of college has also skyrocketed in real terms. Young adults, meanwhile, aren’t expected to leave their parents’ homes until they’re well into their twenties. In addition to paying off student loans, young adults are also finding it difficult to save for big purchases like a home or vehicle.
Budgeting
One of the most important pieces of financial advice for young adults is to start budgeting early. Most young adults receive some financial assistance from their parents when they first start their adult lives. As people grow older, however, this assistance decreases. Among 18-year-olds, only 32% reported that they handled their finances on their own. Meanwhile, 54% of those between the ages of 24 and 26 reported that they did manage their finances on their own.
Young adults are more likely to have a low credit score than their parents did. While a high credit score is necessary for getting loans, it is not sufficient on its own. Fortunately, financial apps can help young adults assess their expenses and start investing. There are apps for everything from budgeting to bookkeeping and accounting. Saving money and investing are also easier than ever. Despite the recent improvements in financial advice, young adults still need to know their numbers in order to make wise financial decisions.
Paying off debt
As a young adult, it is vital that you learn how to manage your money. While it may seem easy to buy sneakers on credit and pay the monthly payment, it is better to pay cash so that you can avoid paying unnecessary interest. You should also consider the retirement plan offered by your employer. It may offer free money that you can invest to help you reach your retirement goals. But, it is also important to pay off debt aggressively so that you have a running start in saving for your future.
Young people are increasingly borrowing for their education, and researchers found that they are more likely to carry student loans than any other generation. This has led to an increase in student loan debt, with 53% more millennials carrying student loans compared to 2001. In fact, millennials are less likely than older generations to own a home or car, despite the fact that they have a greater proportion of disposable income than those in their thirties.
Investing in a high-interest savings account
The early years of adulthood are an important time for young investors to start saving for the future. By investing now, they can take advantage of aggressive investing and hold on to their money for many years to come. For today’s young adults, the best long-term investment options include debt elimination, property ownership, and contributions to tax-advantaged accounts. Common investments in tax-advantaged accounts include common stocks. In addition to accumulating money, many young adults struggle with large amounts of debt. Paying off student loans is often a sacrifice that must be made.
While high-yield accounts may seem attractive, they are not for retirement or long-term investing. A Roth IRA may be a better option. Generally, high yield savings accounts are offered through online banks and financial institutions. If you are unsure of which one is best for you, look at the Annual Percentage Yield (APY). The higher the APY, the higher your return.
Using a fee-only financial planner
Hiring a financial planner is an important decision. Not only will you share your income and expenses with your advisor but also discuss your hopes and fears. While it can be intimidating to trust someone with such sensitive information, a fee-only financial planner will act as a trusted advisor and advocate for your current and future financial well-being. Here are some reasons why fee-only advisers are better for today’s adult population.
For most young adults, finding a financial planner who works on a fee-only basis is difficult. Many of them must do research themselves or rely on the advice of brokers who sell commission products. In addition, many fee-only financial planners have minimum account sizes, which can put them out of reach for younger clients.