Financial Goals Archives - Page 4 of 271

Apache is functioning normally

September 28, 2024 by Brett Tams

If you are like many people, you may have asked yourself at some point in life, “Will I be rich one day?” No one knows for sure what the future holds, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of becoming a millionaire.

One of the best ways to amass wealth is to invest in assets that will appreciate over time. But while that sounds good, finding a starting point can be challenging for some. For example, you can start your own business or work hard to climb the corporate ladder, but which is the better option? And you’ll want to invest the money you earn. But where?

Whatever you do, it’s smart to remember that it’s okay to take risks and make mistakes; learning from your experiences is a critical component of success. Above all, remember that wealth accumulation is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes patience, commitment, and perseverance to achieve financial security.

Table of Contents

Key Points

• Early financial success, such as earning money from a young age, can set the stage for future wealth.

• Taking decisive action and managing finances proactively are common traits among those accumulating wealth.

• Outspokenness and a unique personal style often distinguish wealthy individuals in social settings.

• A strong sense of urgency and goal-oriented behavior are typical among successful wealth builders.

• Distinguishing between needs and wants is crucial for effective financial management and wealth accumulation.

What Is a Sign of Wealth?

Often, specific aspects of one’s physical appearance such as luxury cars and designer clothes are taken as a sign of being rich or wealthy. Unfortunately, these signs aren’t always reliable. For example, some people may live in an extravagant home, giving off the appearance of wealth, but it may simply mean that they can access money — perhaps through credit, savings, or even family.

Real signs of wealth are often more attitudinal, and many can be cultivated through patience and practice. Here are a few people who were early millionaires due, in large part, to their drive and focus.

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Examples of Millionaires Under 30

With the advent of the tech industry, smart investments, business ventures, or inheritances — i.e., the great wealth transfer — millionaires under 30 are becoming increasingly common. Here are three examples of millionaires who earned their fortunes before turning 30.

Mark Zuckerberg: Zuckerberg created Facebook at age 19 while attending Harvard University. The idea was to match photos with the names of other students. And in just a few short years, Zuckerberg became a self-made millionaire at age 22.

Sergey Brin: Brin is a Russian American computer scientist who, at the age of 25, co-founded Google, Inc., and became a millionaire. Google is one of the world’s most valuable companies, and today, Brin’s net worth is estimated to be upwards of $120 billion.

Alexandr Wang: Wang founded Scale AI in 2016 as a way to analyze data far faster than any human could. Today, Scale AI’s technology has been used by the U.S. Airforce and U.S. Army, as well as 300+ companies. Today, Wang’s net worth is estimated to be over $2 billion, and at age 27, he’s among the youngest self-made billionaires.

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

9 Signs of Wealth to Look Out For

In the U.S. 1% of earners take home nearly 30% of the country’s income, so it’s essential to know what signs to look for when trying to identify if someone is wealthy. While there’s no one-size-fits-all definition of wealth, some cues can give you a good idea of whether you or someone you know is doing well financially. (And a net worth calculator can help you tally up your own assets.)

Here are six signs of wealth to look out for that indicate you’re on track to becoming wealthy:

1. You’re an Overachiever

It’s hard to be modest when you’re an overachiever. You know you’re good at your work and are not afraid to let everyone know. Overachievers work hard and try harder. While this may make some people uncomfortable, it comes naturally to you.

2. You Started Making Money At a Young Age

It is not uncommon to see young adults with successful careers in today’s society. While some people played with toys as a child, others learned how to make money. For example, it could mean that you had a paper route or a babysitting business.

Making money at a young age, or any age for that matter, is not always easy. But an early start in earning, tracking your money, and investing can put you on an accelerated schedule when it comes to building your wealth and becoming a millionaire.

3. You Take Action

There will be times when things happen that are out of your control. You may feel stuck and as if you have no way to change your circumstances. However, these are the times when you must take action to create the life you want to live. For example, it might mean organizing your finances to get what you want. And, sometimes you’ll have to take some risks and go for it. It can be scary, but it’s worth it to achieve your goals.

When faced with a difficult situation, it’s essential to remember that you always have a choice. You can choose to give up, or you can choose to fight for what you want. Only by taking action can you make progress and take a step towards achieving financial wellness. So don’t be afraid to step up and take on whatever life throws your way — you can do it!

4. You Are Outspoken

In a society where people get judged by how much money they have, it is no surprise that many go out of their way to keep up appearances. And while some may try to blend in with the wealthy crowd, a wealthy person will often stand out with his unique style or outgoing sense of humor. Wealthy people tend to feel less inhibited and are more likely to speak their minds. They may also be less concerned with the rules and more likely to take risks.

5. You Possess a Sense of Urgency

When it comes to the wealthy, there are a few telltale signs that set them apart. One of these is their sense of urgency — they don’t like wasting time and are always moving forward. This urgency allows them to set financial goals, achieve them, and maintain their wealth. It’s also one of the reasons why they may seem constantly stressed out — they’re always trying to do more.

6. You’re Focused More on Saving Than Earning

It doesn’t matter if you earn $50,000 or $250,000 a year. Unless you consistently spend less than you make, you’ll never get ahead financially. People who focus on their budget and saving their disposable income understand how to live within their means and focus on what’s most important: saving money for the future.

7. You Know the Difference Between Needs and Wants

In our materialistic society, getting caught up in the “must-have” mentality is easy. Advertisements are everywhere, and social media posts tell us we need the next latest and greatest products. It can be challenging to discern between the things we need and want.

A sign of a wealthy person is their ability to distinguish between the two. They know which items are essential for their well-being and those which would be nice to have. Advertising or peer pressure doesn’t work on rich people, and their possessions don’t rule them.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Spiritual Signs You Will Be Rich

Are there spiritual signs that you can be a wealthy person? Some people believe steadfastly in spiritual and other signs of wealth and luck. Here are a couple of examples:

Gravitating to the Lucky Number, 8

In Chinese culture, the number 8 is considered a lucky number. Individuals who gravitate toward this number may believe it will bring them good fortune. Some people might even go as far as to change their phone number or social media handle to include the digit 8.

A Psychic Confirms Wealth is Coming

Some people consult psychics to get guidance on anything from love to health and even money. While many psychics will say they can tune into your energy and give you specific information about your future, and many people believe their predictions, you may be better off putting the money you’d pay the psychic into savings.

Pros and Cons of Having Signs of Wealth

There are very few times when it can be helpful to show off your wealth to others. Indeed, showing off can make others feel intimidated. Additionally, it can attract unwanted attention from criminals or others who want to take what you have. And having too many signs of wealth can make you a target for scams or other fraudulent schemes.

The Takeaway

If you identify with any of these habits you’re likely well on your way to building a significant amount of wealth. However, it is essential to remember that wealth accumulation is not a one-time event; it’s a way of life. It’s something you’ll need to make a habit of, if you want to succeed. For many people who work hard, stay focused, and are disciplined, it is possible.

And as you’re building your wealth, tracking your income and expenses is one of the primary ways to manage your money. SoFi’s money tracker app can help you keep track of your funds so you can make the best spending decisions and start building your very own fortune today.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

At what point is someone considered wealthy?

There is no magic dollar amount that indicates someone is wealthy and one person’s definition may not be the same as another’s. But in 2022, the top 1% of earners took home an average of $785,968, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Of course the amount you earn is only part of the wealth story. How much of your income (or inherited wealth) you retain is affected by your spending habits.

What are invisible signs of wealth?

People who are stealthily wealthy still might have a “tell” that gives them away. Use of private banking or wealth management services would be one example. Another might be not working but being able to maintain an expensive hobby such as riding horses or boating. Buying bespoke products, whether tailor-made clothing or custom-designed furniture, is another subtle giveaway.

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Apache is functioning normally

September 27, 2024 by Brett Tams

While there’s no official guideline on what makes a salary “good,” a $20,000 salary is not typically enough for a household to live comfortably in most parts of the United States. Certainly, each person’s situation is unique in terms of their assets and expenses, but an individual making $20K a year may have a hard time making ends meet. They might need to rely on assistance from family, friends, and/or the government to afford basic necessities.

A $20,000 salary puts a single person above the poverty threshold for 2024. An individual supporting themselves plus one or more people on $20K a year, however, will live below the poverty threshold. With the record-high inflation we’ve seen in recent years, affording basic needs on a $20,000 salary has become even more challenging.

So is $20K a year good? While a $20,000 salary averages out to more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour for full-time work, it is likely not an adequate income for anyone living independently and especially those with a family. In this piece, we’ll cover:

• The current American median income.

• Is $20K a year good?

• A breakdown of a $20,000 salary.

• The best and worst places to live on $20,000.

• Tips for living on $20K a year.

Factors to Determine if a $20,000 Salary Is Good

A $20,000 salary will be challenging for anyone to live on, but a few factors may determine if it can be done — or if it’s impossible:

• Taxes: If you are filing singly, a $20,000 salary will put you at the 12% federal income tax bracket. You may owe additional taxes for your state, city, and/or school district. For the sake of example, assume a flat 15%. That means, although you make $20,000, you only bring home $17,000 after taxes.

• Family size: Single individuals without children can make $20,000 stretch more easily. Two or more people living off a $20,000 salary will face more challenges.

• Location: Money goes further in some places more than others. If you live in an area with a low cost of living, a $20,000 salary may be more manageable. But if you live in a popular city, $20,000 a year may not even cover rent.

• Debt: If you have debt, it can be more challenging to allocate your limited money to basic necessities and important financial goals, like building an emergency savings fund. If you are dealing with high-interest debt, you probably know how quickly this debt can grow when you are only paying the minimum amount due.

How Does a $20,000 Salary Compare to the American Median Income?

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report, median household income was $80,610 in 2023. Keep in mind, though, that this number represents all households, which may include more than one earner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median weekly earnings for American workers was $1,117 in 2023, which comes out to $58,084.

Either way, $20,000 is far below either estimate for a median income. If you earn $20,000 and have a domestic partner or spouse who earns additional income, your salaries together might get you closer to the median income level.

$20,000 Salary Breakdown

Again, no judgment here: It’s not a matter of if a $20,000 salary is good or bad. To someone just out of high school, $20K a year might look like a good entry-level salary. But anyone who has handled monthly bills like rent and utilities will likely recognize that a $20,000 salary may be insufficient.

Here’s how a $20,000 annual salary breaks down:

• Monthly income: $1,666.66

• Biweekly paycheck: $769.23

• Weekly income: $384.62

• Daily income: $76.92 based on working 260 days a year

• Hourly income: $9.62 based on working 2,080 hours a year

These estimates do not account for taxes. In the example above, a $20,000 salary may shrink to $17,000 after Uncle Sam has taken his cut.

Recommended: Is Making $100K a Year Good?

Can You Live Individually on a $20,000 Income?

It is possible to live individually on a $20,000 income, but you will likely only be able to afford the items on your basic living expenses list if you aren’t able to supplement your income. Living comfortably — with easy access to good health care (including mental health), balanced nutrition, safe housing, and efficient transportation — may be far more challenging on $20,000 a year.

If you make $20,000 a year, you might be able to minimize monthly expenses by looking for government assistance, getting a roommate or moving in with family, cooking at home, and using an online bank account with a high interest rate and automatic savings features.

How Much Rent Can You Afford Living on a $20,000 Income?

Wondering how much you can afford to spend on rent? Researchers have long argued that you should spend no more than 30% of your income on housing. With rising inflation and increasing rent prices, however, that’s not always possible.

If you were to stick to the 30% rule (and forget about income taxes for the sake of the example), that means you can spend $6,000 a year on rent, or $500 a month. But the median cost of rent in the U.S. was $2,100 as of September 2024, according to Zillow. That’s about four times what you could afford on $20K a year.

To afford rent on a $20,000 salary, it’s a good idea to live in a place with a very low cost of living and to have one or more roommates who can help share living expenses of rent and utilities with you. Moving in with family is also a solution if you cannot afford rent on your salary.

Best Places to Live on a $20,000 Salary

If you are making $20,000 a year (or $9.62 an hour), it might be a good idea to explore cities and states with a low cost of living.

These are the five least expensive cities to live in for 2024-2025, per U.S. News:

• Fort Wayne, Indiana

• Huntsville, Alabama

• Wichita, Kansas

• Springfield, Missouri

• Davenport, Iowa

Living outside a city altogether is usually more affordable. Consider a rural location in one of these five cheapest states to live in:

• Arkansas

• Mississippi

• Alabama

• West Virginia

• South Dakota

Recommended: Typical Monthly Expenses for a Single Person

Worst Places to Live on a $20,000 Salary

On the flip side, there are some major cities that are exorbitantly expensive to live in. If possible, it’s a good idea to avoid living in the following locations when you are living on $20,000 a year:

• Hartford, Connecticut

• Los Angeles, California

• Miami, Florida

• New Haven, Connecticut

• New York City, New York

California cities clearly carry a high cost of living, but other states are also expensive. If you have a $20,000 annual salary, it’s a good idea to steer clear of any of the five most expensive states to live in:

• Hawaii

• New York

• California

• Massachusetts

• Oregon

Is a $20,000 Salary Considered Poverty?

A $20,000 salary is above the poverty line for an individual, but if you are a couple or a family of three or more people living on a $20,000 salary, the government considers you to be below the poverty line.

These numbers do not consider factors like variable cost of living. A localized poverty line could be more telling, especially if you live in a place with a high cost of living. If you are, say, living in a pricey city and earning $20,000 a year, you might be feeling the financial pinch more.

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Tips for Living on a $20,000 Budget

While advocating for a higher salary can infuse your line item budget with more funds, you can’t necessarily count on a raise. Taking other steps now may make it easier to live on your $20,000 salary.

Finding Out What Assistance You Qualify For

If you are making $20,000 or less, you may qualify for government assistance. Here are a few actions to consider taking:

• Work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for assistance with rent, including the Section 8 program.

• Determine if you are eligible for assistance with grocery bills through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

• Research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help with utilities.

• See if you can lower your phone bill through the Lifeline Modernization Order .

• Find out if you are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Coming Up With a Housing Plan

If you do not qualify for rental assistance from the government, you may need to come up with another plan to avoid high rent costs. Roommates can be a good way to keep rent low.

Alternatively, family and friends may be willing to offer free lodging while you save money. While it can be hard to lean on others in this way, it can be a form of financial self-care to do so until you are able to be out on your own. If you do move in with a loved one, just remember to be helpful around the house and chip in with utilities and groceries if you’re able.

Cutting Costs

After reducing your largest cost (rent), it may be possible to reduce other costs in your budget. For example, a car payment, gas, and car insurance can be costly monthly expenses. If you live in an area with great public transportation or are comfortable walking and riding a bike, you may be able to get around without owning your own vehicle.

Other costs you might be able to cut include streaming services, gym memberships, and bills from dining out.

Getting on a Budget

After finding low-cost housing and trimming unnecessary expenses, it’s a good idea to make a monthly budget that accounts for your post-tax income and your monthly expenses.

Not sure how to budget on a $20K salary? Taking care of all necessary bills (housing, utilities, groceries) is the perfect first step. Once you’ve accounted for those monthly expenses, see how much you can allocate to paying down debt or building your savings.

Recommended: How to Save Money From Your Salary

Avoiding the Wrong Kinds of Debt

Taking on debt is often necessary — when buying a house, purchasing a car, or even going to college. But when you make a low salary and struggle to pay the bills, it can be tempting to take out a payday loan or overuse a high-interest credit card.

When possible, it’s a good idea to avoid high-interest loans. In fact, instead of taking on more credit card debt, you may be able to take control of your bad debt by applying for a debt consolidation loan. These are typically personal loans that charge an interest rate that may be significantly lower than your credit cards’ rates. You use the loan to pay off the cards and then you work to eliminate the personal loan.

You might also meet with a counselor from a nonprofit debt counseling organization like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, or NFCC .

Recommended: Debt Repayment Strategies

Supplementing Your Basic Income

You might also consider ways to bring in more income to pump up your spending power. This could include seeing if additional hours are available at your primary workplace, as well as taking on a seasonal part-time job or starting a side hustle. These are all ways to use some of your leisure time to bump up your income.

The Takeaway

A $20,000 is usually not enough for a family to live on, and it may be difficult for individuals to get by on this salary too. It may be wise to research government assistance, look for roommates to lower housing costs, and build (and stick to) a monthly budget that prioritizes paying down debt and building emergency savings. These steps can help you live on a $20,000 annual income.

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FAQ

Can you live comfortably on $20,000 a year?

It can be difficult for an individual to live comfortably on $20,000 a year. With the right assistance from friends, family, and the government, however, it may be possible to meet basic needs. Families will face more challenges living off $20,000 a year.

What can I afford making $20K a year?

A $20,000 salary may leave room in your budget for the most basic expenses: rent, utilities, transportation, and groceries. Even then, getting government assistance and a roommate might be necessary for managing monthly expenses on $20K a year.

Is $20,000 a year middle class?

According to the most recent data from the Pew Research Center, middle class, middle-income households have incomes ranging from about $56,600 to $169,800. Thus, a family living on $20,000 is not middle class; it’s actually below the poverty level. While an individual earning $20,000 a year is not below the poverty line, they are still not considered middle class.

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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 25, 2024 by Brett Tams

Do you want to learn how to start a personal finance blog? Starting a personal finance blog changed my life. When I began Making Sense of Cents (the blog that you’re reading right now!), I had no idea that sharing my money tips would lead to financial freedom and the ability to work from anywhere….

Do you want to learn how to start a personal finance blog?

Starting a personal finance blog changed my life. When I began Making Sense of Cents (the blog that you’re reading right now!), I had no idea that sharing my money tips would lead to financial freedom and the ability to work from anywhere.

What started as a hobby turned into a full-time career, allowing me to help others take control of their finances while earning a great income.

Whether you want to help people save money, get out of debt, or learn how to invest, blogging gives you a platform to make a real impact. Plus, it’s an opportunity to earn some extra income on the side or even turn it into a full-time career.

If you’ve ever thought about sharing your own money journey and helping others improve their financial lives, now is a great time to start. In this How To Start a Finance Blog guide, I’ll walk you through how to create a successful personal finance blog, just like I did.

Quick note: I have a free How To Start A Blog FREE Course you can click here to join. Want to see how I built a $5,000,000 blog? In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.

My background with blogging

Over 10 years ago, I started my blog, Making Sense of Cents, on a whim. I had read an article about personal finance and thought it would be fun to share my own experience. At first, blogging was just a hobby.

I had no idea that people could make money from blogs. But after about six months, a blogger friend introduced me to an advertiser. I made my first $100, and I was hooked.

Since then, the blog has grown beyond my wildest dreams and I have earned over $5,000,000 blogging over the years. Blogging changed my life by giving me financial freedom and the ability to work from anywhere.

Now, I want to help you start your own successful blog.

What is a personal finance blog?

A personal finance blog is a website where you share tips and advice about money. It’s a place where you can help others understand how to save, budget, invest, and spend wisely.

Some examples of topics that a personal finance blog may cover include:

Budgeting
Saving for big purchases
Getting out of debt
Investing in stocks or real estate
Planning for retirement
Side hustles
Financial independence and early retirement
Student loans
Buying a home
Money and mental health

And so much more.

You can choose one or more of these topics to focus on.

Recommended reading: What Is A Blog, How Do Blogs Make Money, & More

Why should you start a personal finance blog?

I think that starting a personal finance blog has many benefits.

You can share your money tips and help others improve their financial situation by sharing advice on saving, budgeting, and investing. I have received countless emails over the years from readers thanking me for helping them change their lives, and these emails are always amazing to read.

Writing a blog also encourages you to learn more about personal finance through research, which can improve your own money skills. I have learned a lot about personal finance because I am constantly reading about it and because I am so active in the personal finance community.

Plus, you can earn extra income through affiliate marketing, ads, and sponsored posts, helping you reach your own financial goals. As I mentioned above, I have earned over $5,000,000 blogging over the years, and I really love running this online business – so it’s been a win all around for me!

For me, I love having a personal finance blog and it’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made in my life.

How To Start a Personal Finance Blog

Below is how to start a personal finance blog, step by step!

Here are some of the topics I write about on my personal finance blog.

1. Choose your blog topic

Choosing a finance niche is the first step in starting your personal finance blog. A niche is a specific area of focus that will help your blog stand out.

To help you decide, I recommend thinking about what you’re passionate about. Is it budgeting, saving money, or investing? By picking a topic you love, you’ll enjoy writing and sharing your knowledge.

You should also think about your expertise and experience. What do you know a lot about? If you have experience with paying off debt or improving your credit score, that might be your niche.

Narrowing down your niche helps you become an expert in that area. For example, instead of writing about all things finance, you might focus just on household budgeting tips.

Your niche can also help you make money. Advertisers and sponsors usually look for specific topics to advertise on. If your blog is about investing, you might attract ads from financial services.

Don’t worry if it seems too narrow. There are a lot of people interested in specific topics. Being specific can help you connect better with your readers.

I recommend starting a self-hosted WordPress blog through Bluehost.

2. Start a self-hosted WordPress blog

To start your personal finance blog, I always recommend that you sign up for a self-hosted WordPress site. This means you will own your blog and its content, unlike free blogging platforms.

WordPress is where a blogger writes their blog posts. It’s like the home base for your blog. You can log in, create new blog posts, format them (like adding pictures, headings, or links), and then publish them for your readers to see. WordPress makes it easy to manage everything from your writing to how your blog looks. It’s the platform where you do all the behind-the-scenes work to keep your blog running.

WordPress is a tool that helps you build and manage a blog or website without needing to know how to code. It’s super popular because it’s easy to use and has tons of features to customize your site.

WordPress is what I use for this website (Making Sense of Cents), too!

In short, WordPress is the tool to build your blog, and self-hosting gives you the freedom to control and expand it however you like!

Here are the steps to start a self-hosted WordPress blog:

Get a web hosting service. A popular choice for new bloggers is Bluehost.
Install WordPress. Most web hosts have a one-click installation after you sign up, so it’s quick and easy.

You can see my full tutorial for this at How To Start A WordPress Blog On Bluehost. There are step-by-step directions if you want more detail and/or want to see screenshots of the exact things you should click on.

Plus, if you use my tutorial, you can get the lowest pricing as well as a free domain name.

3. Pick a blog name

Choosing a blog name is a big first step and it can seem hard to decide on.

Here are some tips for brainstorming a personal finance blog name:

Your blog name should tell readers what your blog is about right away.
Make it unique and easy to remember. A good blog name can help attract more readers. Try to avoid long names, as they might be hard to remember. Short and catchy names work best. Also, I recommend getting a “.com” over any of the others, like “.net”
Use tools like a domain name generator to get ideas. Check if the name is available as a domain. It’s important to have the same name for your blog and website address.
Don’t be afraid to get creative. Mix and match words until you find something that fits. Keep your blog’s purpose in mind and make sure the name reflects it.
Tell friends and family about your ideas for feedback. Sometimes, others can see things you might miss.

P.S. Don’t forget that your domain name (also known as your blog name) is free if you sign up for Bluehost for your blog! You can click here to get your domain name for free.

4. Design your blog layout

The layout of your blog is super important. It helps your readers find what they need and enjoy their visit.

You have three main options when it comes to designing your personal finance blog:

Doing it yourself
Paying a web designer for a custom design
Getting a premade blog layout – this is what I recommend new bloggers do!

Doing it yourself is usually the cheapest, but it can be quite time-consuming. Paying for a custom web design is usually expensive.

I’m a big fan of simply getting a premade design. They are more affordable than a custom design and still look really good. One premade blog design site that I recommend is Restored 316 (my favorite!). If you need to build a website that is custom, professional, and budget-friendly, they have you covered! There is no need to code or stress over graphic design, either. These templates are easy to use.

Please click here if you’d like to go the easy way and get an affordable premade blog design (this is what I recommend).

5. Create the main pages for your blog

To make your personal finance blog successful, start by setting up key pages.

These pages are important, as they help your readers navigate your site easily and find the information they need.

Your key pages usually include your:

Homepage – This is the first impression your blog readers get of your blog. A clear and organized homepage helps readers quickly understand what your blog is about and gets them to click around your blog further. This should be welcoming and easy to navigate – make it clear what your blog is about and include links to your main blog topics.
About page – This is where you can tell your story. Share who you are, why you started the blog, and what your readers can expect. When I find a new blog, I like heading to their About page to learn more about them and their story – so don’t skip this page!
Contact page – This page makes it easy for readers to reach you. You can add a contact form or your email address (I usually prefer just listing your email address). This allows readers, potential partners, and advertisers to get in touch with you.
Privacy Policy page – This is where you explain how you collect and use data on your site. This is important for building trust and complying with legal requirements. Now, don’t worry if you don’t know what to write, there are many templates online that you can use. For legal templates, you can search for these online or buy a premade privacy policy here.
Disclosure page – If you earn money through affiliate links or sponsored posts, let your readers know. This keeps your blog transparent and trustworthy.

There are other pages that you may want to add as well, it just depends on what you want and how detailed you want to get. The above is a great starting point.

Other pages that you can add down the line (you don’t want to overwhelm yourself too much, especially in the beginning) may include a Work With Me page (if you offer any freelance services), FAQ page (to answer common questions readers may have), Resources page (to showcase the products that you use), and a Press page (to show your readers where you have been mentioned in the press).

6. Start social media accounts for your blog

Creating social media accounts can help your blog grow because it can make it easier for more people to find your blog.

The social media accounts that you can start include:

Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok

Now, you definitely do not need to be active on all of these social media accounts, but I do usually like to claim my blog name on each so that no one else can take it.

Once you have your social media accounts set up, I also recommend that you add the links to your blog’s homepage so that your readers can easily find you on social media.

7. Create a content plan

Your content plan is what you’ll write about on your blog.

First, think about who your audience is. Do they want to save money, get out of debt, or invest wisely? Knowing this helps you create content that speaks to their needs.

Next, brainstorm topics that fit your blog. You can start with basic personal finance tips, budgeting hacks, or ways to save more money each month.

Once you have a list, set up an editorial calendar where you think about how often you’ll publish new posts. It could be once a week, twice a week, or even daily. Consistency is important and I highly recommend writing at least one blog post each week.

Plan ahead by writing down specific ideas for each post. This helps you stay organized and makes sure that you always have something to write about.

Now, your blog content plan doesn’t have to be crazy; it can literally just be a list of blog posts – it all depends on how organized you want to be. For example, you can just make a list of blog posts that you want to write such as:

10 Simple Ways To Save Money Every Month
How To Create a Budget That Actually Works
Beginner’s Guide To Paying Off Debt Faster
How To Build an Emergency Fund on a Tight Budget
Smart Ways To Save for a Vacation Without Stress
Investing 101: How To Start With Just $100
5 Budgeting Mistakes To Avoid if You Want To Save More
How To Meal Plan and Save Money on Groceries
Tips for Teaching Kids About Money
How To Stop Impulse Buying and Save More
Side Hustles That Can Help You Pay Off Debt
How To Improve Your Credit Score in 6 Months
Saving vs. Investing: What’s Best for Your Goals?
Frugal Living Tips That Don’t Feel Like Sacrifice
How To Use Cash Envelopes To Control Spending

These ideas could easily fill up your editorial calendar and help you stay organized and consistent with your posts!

8. Start writing blog posts

Once your blog is set up, it’s time to write your first blog post!

Below are some tips for writing your first personal finance blog post:

Write in a way that is easy to understand. Use short sentences and simple words. Remember, you want to help and not confuse your readers.
Add personal stories or experiences. This makes your blog more relatable and interesting. People love reading about real-life situations.
Break up your text with headings, bullet points, or images to make your posts easier to read. Don’t forget to proofread your work before you publish it.
Ask your readers questions at the end of your posts. This can encourage them to leave comments and interact with your blog.

9. Find ways to make money with your money blog

There are several ways you can earn money with your personal finance blog.

One way is through affiliate marketing. You can partner with companies that have affiliate programs like Amazon. When someone buys an item through your link, you earn a commission. I have a free ebook to learn more – Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers.

Ad revenue (display ads) is another option. You can place ads on your blog using services like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or Raptive Ads. When visitors see or click these ads, you make money.

You might also explore sponsored posts; this is where you partner with a company and they pay you for a review, a mention, or a blog post that talks about their product.

Selling products/services that you create is a good strategy too to make money with a finance blog. You can sell printables, write ebooks, provide consulting services, or teach online courses.

As you can see, there are many ways to make money with a personal finance blog. For me, I like to do a little bit of everything so that I am diversified with my income streams from my blog.

10. Grow your personal finance blog

To get readers to your finance blog, you need to promote it.

Some ways to grow your personal finance blog include:

Start by sharing your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest (I recommend that you create a new Pinterest pin for all of your blog posts), and Instagram.
Guest post on other finance blogs. This can introduce you to new readers who might be interested in your content. For example, you could guest post and write about how you paid off your debt.
Email marketing is another effective way. I highly recommend that you find ways to get readers to subscribe to your email newsletter so that you can send updates and share new blog posts regularly. If you are looking for a way to send newsletters or emails to your readers, I recommend Convertkit.
Engage with your readers by responding to their comments and emails. Building this relationship can encourage them to share your blog with others. I ALWAYS respond to comments, emails, and messages because I think it’s the nice thing to do when your readers are taking time out of their day to write something to you.
Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and keyword research. This helps your blog show up in search results when people look for topics you’ve written about.

Promoting your blog takes time and effort. It takes time to grow a new personal finance blog, so try not to be too sad in the beginning if it takes time – that is completely normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re thinking about starting a personal finance blog, you might have some common questions. Here’s what you need to know to get going.

How much money do personal finance bloggers make?

The amount of money that a personal finance blogger can make varies widely. I have made over $5,000,000 blogging over the years, and I know many others who make a full-time income from their personal finance blog as well. Successful bloggers can make thousands of dollars each month through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and digital products.

Is it too late to start a personal finance blog?

No, it’s not too late to start a personal finance blog. There’s always room for fresh voices and new perspectives in personal finance.

Do I have to have a degree in finance to start a personal finance blog?

You don’t need a finance degree to start a personal finance blog. Many bloggers share personal experiences, research, and advice.

How can I make my personal finance blog stand out from others?

To make your personal finance blog stand out from others, I recommend that you focus on your unique experience with the topic that you are writing about. For example, you could share personal stories and actionable advice for what you did to pay off your student loans or to start investing.

Is a personal finance blog profitable?

Yes, a personal finance blog can be profitable. I have made over $5,000,000 from my personal finance blog over the years, all by working from home on the internet.

How To Start a Finance Blog – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my article on how to start a finance blog.

I’ve been running this finance blog that you’re reading for quite some time now, and it’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made.

Starting a personal finance blog changed my life, and it could do the same for you. Sharing my money-saving tips not only helped others but also led me to financial freedom and a career I love.

There are so many different finance niches that you could write about, whether it be budgeting tips for beginners or financial advice for those who want to retire early. Plus, you don’t need to be an expert to start a personal finance blog – many people want to hear about real people’s real experiences and insights, including their journey with personal finance (so that they can learn real tips!).

Whether you’re looking to earn a little extra or turn blogging into a full-time job, this guide will help you start a successful personal finance blog that makes a real impact.

Reminder: I have a free How To Start A Blog FREE Course you can click here to join. Over 80,000 people have already taken the course. In this free course, I show you how to create a blog from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.

Do you want to learn how to start a personal finance blog?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 24, 2024 by Brett Tams

That starts with gaining a comprehensive understanding of what’s best for the client and which solution fits their overarching financial goals. “Even with the rates being as high as they were, we stayed really busy – just because it all goes back to [putting in] time,” he said. “It’s finding what’s the right opportunity for … [Read more…]

Apache is functioning normally

September 20, 2024 by Brett Tams

Loud budgeting is a money-saving trend that is encouraging people to be honest with others about their finances and feel okay about saying “No” to expensive invitations.

The concept was first introduced by TikTok content creator and comedian Lukas Battle in late 2023 as an alternative to “quiet luxury” and involves talking openly — or loudly — about your financial goals and spending limits to those around you. Since Battle first coined the term, TikTok has been deluged with videos extolling the benefits of loud budgeting and how to do it.

Is it time to get on the loud budgeting bandwagon? Maybe. While you can’t trust all the financial advice you get on social media, many finance experts say that loud budgeting is rooted in a time-honored financial principle — that people should make spending decisions based on their budgets and savings goals, rather than peer pressure or FOMO.

Here’s a closer look at what loud budgeting is and how to incorporate this approach into your own life.

Key Points

• Loud budgeting, a concept introduced by TikTok creator and comedian Lukas Battle in late 2023, encourages transparency about financial goals and spending limits.

• Benefits of loud budgeting may include: reduced financial stress, avoiding overspending due to peer pressure, building an enhanced support system, and reaching financial goals.

• It can be implemented by determining priorities, building a basic budget, and being honest with those around you about your budget.

• Budgeting tools, such as those provided by your bank or apps that track or permit you to share your spending and savings goals, can assist with loud budgeting.

• Loud budgeting doesn’t have to entail disclosing financial or personal details — it can be as simple as sharing your financial goal and/or limits.

The Psychology of Loud Budgeting

When it comes to maintaining close ties to friends and family, it can be hard to decline an invitation to a catch-up dinner, reunion weekend, or destination wedding — even if you’re not comfortable with the cost. So, you might grudgingly say “Yes,” and figure you’ll deal with the financial fallout later. Or, you might say “No,” but make up a fake reason why you can’t be there. Neither option is ideal.

Loud budgeting offers an alternative solution — bowing out while being honest about your money concerns. It’s based on the premise that staying close and connected with people you care about doesn’t have to cost a lot. Often, it just takes one member of the group to say “No,” and suggest a way to bring down the cost of a social outing or gathering.

Recommended: 7 Tips for Living on a Budget

Benefits of Practicing Loud Budgeting

While loud budgeting isn’t for everyone, it has a number of benefits. Here are some to consider.

Reduced Financial Stress

Money worries can be a significant source of stress. Loud budgeting can immediately take some of the pressure off by making it acceptable to opt out of social plans that will cause you to spend more than you can afford. Over time, loud budgeting can help you grow the balance in your bank account, pay down debt, and achieve your goals — all of which can improve your financial well-being.

Improved Financial Transparency

While talking about money has long been considered taboo and can even trigger shame, loud budgeting aims to reduce the stigma around having financial limitations. Instead, it advocates being transparent about your budget and why you’re choosing not to spend your hard-earned cash on something. By starting the conversation, loud budgeters may also encourage others in their circle to be more authentic and honest about their finances.

Enhanced Support System

Not everyone will necessarily be receptive and understanding when you get loud with your budget. But there is also a good chance that you will get support from others who (unbeknownst to you) are in the same financial boat. This can help you build a community of people working towards similar financial goals. Your community can help hold you accountable to your plan. You can also share tips and experiences and cheer each other on when you achieve success, such as reaching a savings goal.

Earn up to 4.50% APY with a high-yield savings account from SoFi.

No account or monthly fees. No minimum balance.

10x the national average savings account rate.

Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance.

Sort savings into Vaults, auto save with Roundups.

How To Implement Loud Budgeting in Your Life

If you’re interested in trying out this Gen Z budgeting trend, here are some tips for how to incorporate loud budgeting into your life.

Determine Your Priorities

Budgeting (loudly or quietly) is about making sure your spending aligns with your priorities. So a great first step is to sit down and lay out some specific and achievable financial goals, along with a timeframe for when you want to reach them. For example, maybe you want to pay off your credit cards in the next six months or put a down payment on a home in one year. Knowing what you want to accomplish gives you the “why” behind your loud budget and helps you stick to your plan.

Build a Basic Budget

Before you can get loud about your budget, you actually need to make a budget. To do so, you might start by looking at what’s coming in each month (on average) and what’s going out each month (on average). If your total monthly spending is higher than your total monthly income — or it’s about the same (meaning you’re not saving anything) — you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

There are all kinds of budgets, but one simple framework to consider is the 50/30/20 rule. This entails allocating 50% of your monthly take-home income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to saving and paying more than the minimum on your debts.

Once you come up with a basic budget, it’s a good idea to track your spending (there are budgeting apps that make this easy) to see how well you’re sticking with the plan and, if necessary, make some tweaks to your budget.

Be Honest With Others

Once you have a clear sense of your budget, priorities, and savings goals, don’t be afraid to share this information with friends and family. While you don’t have to delve into the intricate details of your finances every time you decline a social invitation, you can say that you’re trying to spend less and be better about managing your money. You might also talk about some specific goals you’re trying to achieve. Being honest in this way can help make it easier to decline costly invites and keep you accountable to your plans.

Suggest Alternatives

When someone in your circle suggests an outing that doesn’t work with your budget, consider suggesting alternative options. For example, if you can’t swing an expensive brunch, you might suggest a picnic in the park. Or if your friend group wants to spend the afternoon shopping, see if you can entice them to go hiking instead. The idea is to find some simple, wallet-friendly ways to have fun and stay connected without sacrificing your financial health.

Find Allies

Sticking to a budget can be a lot easier when you have a supportive community — or even just one or two allies — who are on the same financial page. If you can’t find any good budgeting buddies in your circle, you might search the #loudbudgeting hashtag on your social media channels to find others who are blazing the same path. This can help you build a community of people who can hold you accountable and cheer you on as you hit your goals.

Recommended: 7 Different Types of Budgeting Methods

The Takeaway

Loud budgeting promotes being more honest about your financial circumstances and goals, rather than accepting expensive invites out of fear of being a wet blanket and then dealing with the aftermath. While it can be challenging to speak your truth, being vocal about your budget can strengthen your connections and help you stay committed to your financial health — not just while it’s the latest trend on social media, but throughout your adult life.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.50% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How can I start loud budgeting without oversharing?

While loud budgeting involves being open about your financial situation, you don’t have to share sensitive details about your finances with everyone you know. Rather than lay out the specifics of your income and monthly bills, you can simply say that you are working toward a particular goal (like paying off your student loans or saving for a home) and trying to be more responsible about spending, saving, and managing your money. That can help explain why you are declining invitations to, say, pricey meals out or weekends away.

Does loud budgeting work for all income levels?

Yes, loud budgeting can be effective for all income levels, as it primarily involves being open about your financial goals and priorities with those close to you. While higher earners may be focused on wealth building and investment strategies, lower-income loud budgeters might share how they are working towards being free of credit card debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a down payment on a home.

What apps or tools can help with loud budgeting?

Any budgeting app that helps you make better spending decisions can assist you with loud budgeting. Even better if the app allows you to track and share your progress with others. You might consider the tools your bank offers for budgeting. Other options include YNAB (You Need a Budget), which can help you create a plan for every dollar you earn; Goodbudget, which digitizes the “envelope system” of budgeting and allows you to share your budget categories with family or friends, or Honeydue,which helps couples sync bank accounts, credit cards, and more for easier viewing of your financial picture.

Photo credit: iStock/Jacob Wackerhausen

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

SOBNK-Q324-036

Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 18, 2024 by Brett Tams

The reverse budgeting method is an approach that prioritizes savings. Budgets typically start by looking at monthly bills and expenses and allocating whatever is left over to saving. Reverse budgeting turns this approach on its head — it considers savings first and spending second.

Also known as the “pay yourself first” method, reverse budgeting starts by allocating a certain amount of your monthly income to your savings goals (such as retirement or an emergency fund). Whatever is left over after that is how much you have to spend. Essentially, it involves pretending that your paycheck is smaller than it actually is.

If your top goal is saving or you’ve tried budgeting in the past without complete success, the reverse budget might be for you. Here’s what reverse budgeting means and how it works.

Key Points

• Reverse budgeting prioritizes savings by allocating a portion of income to savings goals first, then spending the remainder on other expenses.

• Reverse budgeting simplifies budgeting since you can focus on saving a predetermined amount and then spend the rest as needed or desired.

• The reverse budgeting method can help achieve financial goals faster and allows guilt-free spending within remaining income limits.

• Reverse budgeting may not be ideal for those with high-interest debt or irregular income.

• Automating savings and periodically reassessing the budget are key steps to making reverse budgeting work effectively.

Reverse Budgeting Explained

The reverse budgeting method prioritizes setting money aside for your savings and investing goals. This might include building an emergency fund, saving for a new car or down payment on a house, or investing for retirement. Once that money has been set aside, the rest of your income can be used to cover your living expenses.

Reverse budgeting usually involves setting up automatic contributions to savings, typically on payday. As a result, the money leaves your bank account before you get a chance to spend it. That’s why this method is also known as the “pay yourself first” approach.

How Reverse Budgeting Differs from Traditional Budgeting

Making a budget typically involves listing all of your monthly expenses and assigning a portion of income to each category (e.g., housing, groceries, transportation). The goal is to ensure that expenses don’t exceed income, and any leftover funds can be saved or invested. This approach often requires meticulous tracking and discipline to avoid overspending in any category.

By contrast, reverse budgeting starts by looking at your financial goals and the things you want to save for. It helps you determine how much you need to put aside each month to accomplish them. You then subtract that sum from your monthly pay; what’s left is how much you have to spend on everything else.

Earn up to 4.50% APY with a high-yield savings account from SoFi.

No account or monthly fees. No minimum balance.

10x the national average savings account rate.

Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance.

Sort savings into Vaults, auto save with Roundups.

Steps to Create a Reverse Budget

Creating a reverse budget tends to be less complicated than setting up other types of budgets. It doesn’t require establishing spending categories and totals for how much you will spend on each. That said, there are a few steps involved. Here’s a look at how to do a reverse budget.

1. Assess Your Spending

To know how to set your savings goals, you’ll need to get a general sense of your current cash flow. You can do this by pulling the last few months of financial statements, then adding up how much is coming in and going each month on average. You might also want to make a list of your essential monthly expenses, as well as how much you tend to spend each month on nonessentials.

This type of spending audit will give you a clear picture of your spending patterns. It can also help you identify any discretionary spending you may be able to reduce to accommodate your savings goals. There are also budgeting apps that can do a lot of this work for you. Start by seeing what your financial institution offers that could help with this process.

2. Identifying Your Savings Goals

Next, you’ll want to think about your savings goals. These might include building an emergency fund, saving for a down payment on a house, doing a home renovation, going on a vacation, paying for a wedding, contributing to retirement accounts, or any other financial objectives.

You’ll likely want to set your savings goals in terms of dollars as well as the timeframe within which you want to work.

3. Allocate Income to Savings

Once you’ve identified your savings goals, you might pick just a couple to start with. For each, as noted, you’ll have determined how much money you’ll need, along with a realistic timeline for reaching the goal. With that information in mind, you can then allocate a portion of your income to each goal.

For example, if you want to save $5,000 for an emergency fund over the next year, you would need to save approximately $417 per month.

As you go through this step, you’ll want to be realistic about how much you can afford to siphon off your paycheck for savings. It’s important to have enough spending money left over to cover your bills and also have some fun.

Recommended: 10 Most Common Budgeting Mistakes

4. Automate Your Saving

To ensure consistency and reduce the temptation to spend your savings, it’s a good idea to automate the saving process. If you have a 401(k) at work, you can do this by letting your employer know how much of your paycheck to put into your retirement account.

For shorter-term goals, consider setting up an automatic transfer from your checking account to a savings account for the same day each month, ideally right after you get paid. Some employers even allow you to split up your direct deposit into two different bank accounts.

5. Make Adjustments as Needed

Once you’re living on your reverse budget, you may find that you don’t have enough wiggle room to comfortably cover your bills and everyday spending. Or you might realize that you can afford to put more money towards savings and, in turn, reach your goals faster. Either way, it’s important to periodically reassess your reverse budget and, if necessary, make some adjustments in your savings rate.

This is especially important as your life circumstances and financial goals change. If you get a raise, for example, consider increasing your savings rate (this can help you avoid lifestyle creep). Conversely, if you encounter unexpected expenses, you may need to temporarily reduce your savings rate to accommodate these costs.

Pros and Cons of Reverse Budgeting

As with any financial strategy, reverse budgeting has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these pros and cons can help you determine if this method is right for you.

Pros of Reverse Budgeting

First, consider the upsides of reverse budgeting:

• It can help you reach your goals faster: One of the main advantages of reverse budgeting is that it takes savings right off the top of your paycheck. This can help you build an emergency fund, save for a major purchase, or invest for retirement more quickly than traditional budgeting methods.

• Low maintenance: Reverse budgeting simplifies the budgeting process. Instead of meticulously tracking every expense category, you focus on saving a predetermined amount and spend the remainder as you see fit. This low-maintenance approach can be particularly appealing for those who find traditional budgeting too time-consuming and/or restrictive.

• Spending without guilt: With reverse budgeting, you can enjoy spending within the limits of your remaining income. Since your savings goals are already met, you have the freedom to spend on discretionary items without worrying that you are derailing your future progress.

In these ways, the reverse budgeting method can help you prioritize savings and achieve financial security.

Recommended: The Most Important Components of a Successful Budget

Cons of Reverse Budgeting

Next, keep these potential downsides of reverse budgeting in mind:

• It could lead to overspending: Since reverse budgeting doesn’t require setting up spending categories and strict spending limits for each one, you could end up overspending on certain things. Then, you might have to dip into savings to cover the shortfall.

• You might be better off focusing on debt: If you have high-interest debt, paying down those balances could provide a better return on investment than saving or investing. If this is the case, a more traditional budgeting approach that prioritizes debt repayment might be more effective.

• Not ideal for people with variable income: Reverse budgeting generally depends on earning a set amount of money each month. For people with variable income, such as freelancers or those with seasonal work schedules, maintaining a fixed savings rate could be challenging.

The Takeaway

Reverse budgeting, also known as the “pay yourself first” method, prioritizes saving and simplifies the entire budgeting process. By automating saving, it also reduces the chance that you’ll spend money today that you were intending to set aside for the future. However, reverse budgeting may not be the best approach if you have a lot of high-interest debt or your income fluctuates. You might be better off with another budgeting technique.

Choosing the right banking partner can also help you budget more effectively.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.50% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How does reverse budgeting help with saving money?

Reverse budgeting helps with saving money by prioritizing savings over expenditures. With this approach, you allocate a set percentage or amount of your income to savings first and then use the remaining amount to cover your expenses. This ensures that you don’t spend money you were planning to use for future goals.

Can reverse budgeting work for irregular income?

Reverse budgeting can be challenging for those with irregular income, such as gig workers. Here’s why: It relies on setting aside a certain amount of money into savings each month — before other expenses are paid. If your income fluctuates significantly, it may be difficult to meet your savings goal monthly.

However, you may be able to make it work by taking a flexible approach. For example, you might set a minimum savings rate based on your lowest expected income and then, during higher-income months, increase your savings contributions. Building an emergency fund can also help smooth out the fluctuations.

Is reverse budgeting suitable for paying off debt?

Reverse budgeting isn’t ideal for paying off debt, since it focuses on saving first, which can divert funds from debt repayment. If you have significant high-interest debt, prioritizing debt repayment might provide better financial benefits in the long run compared to the returns from savings or investments.

However, you might consider a hybrid approach — allocating a portion of your income to debt repayment and another to savings, ensuring you address both goals.

Photo credit: iStock/Goodboy Picture Company

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

SOBNK-Q324-035

Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 12, 2024 by Brett Tams

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:

A certified financial planner offers a listener actionable advice to help him save for a big move while maintaining financial stability.

How much should you save before you move to a new city? How can you reach your savings goals while also spending on your lifestyle? Recording in-person from a studio in Chicago, host Sean Pyles sits down with Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner with NerdWallet Advisors, to host an actual financial planning session with a listener. Jim, a 36-year-old nonprofit worker, joins them to share his aspirations of moving to a higher cost-of-living area without a job lined up. Magda advises him on how much money in living expenses he should consider saving before making the move, the practicality of high-yield savings accounts, and the benefits and limitations of using a Roth IRA for a down payment, among other practical strategies for reaching his goals while maintaining financial stability.

NerdWallet Advisory LLC, dba NerdWallet Advisors, is an SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of NerdWallet Inc. The advice provided in this episode of Smart Money was for illustrative purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice specific to your personal facts or circumstances.

Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including:

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Episode transcript

This transcript was generated from podcast audio by an AI tool.

Sean Pyles:

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast, where you send us your money questions and we answer them with the help of our genius Nerds. I’m Sean Pyles. This episode, we’re continuing our series where we’re doing something pretty unusual for Smart Money. At the request of NerdWallet’s brilliant legal team, we say often and explicitly that we are not here to give you individual personal finance advice. What we talk about is food for thought, for educational and entertainment purposes only. But this episode, our listener is getting specific personal finance advice for their money question.

A few weeks ago, you may remember that we put out a call inviting you, dear listener, to contact us if you wanted some free financial planning and allow us to record that planning session. Lots of you wrote in and today we’re going to hear from one of you. We’re coming to you live from a studio in Chicago and we’ll be talking in person with a listener. But before we get into that, I’d like to bring back Magda Doemeny. She’s a certified financial planner with NerdWallet Advisors. One thing I want to be clear about is that Magda and NerdWallet Advisors are a distinct platform from NerdWallet. Magda will give our listeners some specific individual personal finance advice and that advice will be given on behalf of NerdWallet Advisors, not NerdWallet. Also, in exchange for coming on and talking with us, our listeners are receiving a free one-year membership to the NerdWallet Advisors platform. Magda, welcome back to Smart Money.

Magda Doemeny:

Thanks, Sean.

Sean Pyles:

So we’ve talked with you before, but can you give us a refresher on who you are and what the NerdWallet Advisors platform is?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. So I’m an advisor with NerdWallet Advisors, and what we offer is affordable financial planning memberships with access to a certified financial planner like me at a low monthly cost. What we do is review your finances as a whole, and ultimately, create a financial plan that has action items in there that are pretty bite-sized for you to break down. And then we’ll check in with you periodically throughout the year. And ultimately, if you ever have a question, you can always schedule a call and/or send us a note, and you really just have unlimited access to us.

Sean Pyles:

Great. So a lot of people have not gone through the financial planning process before. What’s something that people might not expect about going through this?

Magda Doemeny:

I think the thing that folks aren’t usually ready for is the commitment aspect of this. Kind of like if you decide to update your health and fitness regimen, going to the gym or going to the doctor, if that’s all that you’re committing to, that’s not really going to change your life. And so what we really want is for folks to understand that we can break this into bite-sized pieces so that it is one day and one month at a time so it’s a lot less daunting. But it does take commitment for you to make sure you want to go through this process.

Sean Pyles:

It’s about the small regular actions beyond one big meeting with you.

Magda Doemeny:

Sean Pyles:

All right. Well, let’s get to some financial advising in a moment, our financial planning session with a listener here in Chicago. Stay with us. Let’s get to the guest star for this episode. Jim is a Smart Money listener who is 36 and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And he’s here with us now in studio. Jim, welcome to Smart Money.

Thanks for having me.

Sean Pyles:

So tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for work? What are your hobbies, all that sort of stuff.

I work for a nonprofit. I manage grants that go out to education programs. I’m a former journalist and middle school math teacher, actually. And for fun, I play a sport. I play a sport called hurling, not curling on the ice with the brooms. Hurling is like Irish lacrosse. And I love, love, love to kayak for the very few number of weeks that it’s fun and comfortable to do that and the weather’s nice.

Sean Pyles:

I bet. Okay. So how would you describe your current mode of managing your finances? Are you active? Are you passive? Somewhere in between?

I would say extremely active.

Sean Pyles:

What does that mean for you?

I track all of my expenses. I rebalance my accounts as best as I can about every quarter. I’m very, very, very cognizant of where my money’s going and if it’s doing the most that I can make it.

Sean Pyles:

Great. And that’s why you’re a Smart Money listener.

That’s right.

Sean Pyles:

So how would you very broadly describe your finances right now?

I would say stable, but maybe precarious. So I make enough to do what I’m doing now, but I don’t make enough to be working towards some other really big goals. So what I’m really interested in learning is what kind of financial risks might be worth it for me to take so that I can pursue some big goals that I have.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Well, tell us about your current financial goals. From what I understand, you’re hoping to move from Milwaukee to San Diego potentially, and you’re considering even maybe dipping into your retirement accounts to fund that move. Talk with us about that.

That’s right. I am a Midwestern boy, born and bred. I was born in Chicago. I absolutely love the Midwest and I absolutely love Milwaukee. Everyone should visit. It’s a wonderful place to live. It’s affordable, it’s got this gorgeous lake. It’s got friendly people, and I am so sick of winter. I never want to be cold again for the rest of my life if I can avoid it. And while I’m pretty sure that if I did move to a warmer place, I’d eventually see that maybe the grass isn’t greener, but I would feel a lot more peace of mind if I’d given it a shot. So I’ve been on the job hunt for a while to try and make that feasible. And San Diego is kind of my prime target, but it’s been slow-going.

And I’ve had a couple of close calls and I’ve got some traction right now with a few things, but it’s an expensive place. I don’t have a lot of connections, and I’ve put a lot of time in and I’m getting older and I’d like to start a family and buy a house one day and stuff like that. So I’m trying to weigh how important is it to me based on my financial security, if it’s a risk that’s wise to take.

Sean Pyles:

Right. Well, making such a jump, moving to a new place and maybe even using retirement funds to make that move is pretty risky. So how are you thinking about the tradeoffs of the risks and potential rewards for your life?

Absolutely. So I have a Roth IRA that I’ve been saving and I’d originally used it as a way to save for a down payment. I have a really generous retirement plan through my work when I put 5% in, another 9% comes back. So about 14% of my pay is going into my retirement fund through my employer. So extra stuff has been going into this Roth IRA that I’ve had for a couple of years. And it’s because I’ve done some research and I know that you can use a Roth IRA without paying penalties and without paying taxes. And even on the earnings of that, I know that there’s a limit that you can use even toward a down payment on a first home.

So I’ve been saving for that, but because I really, really, really want to make this move and I haven’t gotten a job to do that yet, I would feel more secure and not like I’m going to deplete all my emergency funds and all that if I knew that it wasn’t a terrible idea for me to tap into that Roth. And I might even be willing to go without a job and work service industry things just to get out there, and maybe that would advance the job hunt faster. But I don’t want to do that if I think that that’s going to put me in an unwise situation. I would say that I’m very, very cautious about my finances because I took on a lot of student loan debt in my undergraduate degree, so I never want to be in that position again. And being stable financially is really, really important to me.

Sean Pyles:

Right. Okay. And so you’re hoping to get maybe a second opinion to bounce some ideas off of and see if this isn’t so crazy an idea?

I would love someone to give me permission to do something a little scary.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Well, have you ever used a financial advisor before?

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Well, Jim, I know you have been sitting here across from Magda for a little while, but let me officially introduce you to each other. Jim, Magda, Magda, Jim.

Magda Doemeny:

Sean Pyles:

So Magda, I’m curious if you have any initial thoughts about Jim’s financial situation based on what we just talked about?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah, I think this is not uncommon. There are folks who want somebody to talk to them about where they are financially today and what kinds of decisions they can make, whether it be moving across the country or halfway across the country, buying a home, how much can they actually afford when it’s so expensive? Can they actually afford a little bit more than they think? So when I look at your situation, I think you’re doing all the right things by asking all of these questions. And what it really boils down to is what do we do? Do we actually make that move with your current financial situation or not? I think I am a firm believer that your retirement is intended for retirement and we want to do everything in our power not to touch that mostly because we can’t undo it.

Once we remove the funds from a retirement account, you can’t really put them back. And there’s so many tax benefits specifically to those types of accounts. So I want to talk a little bit more about the details of what your income is, talk about those expenses, talk about other ways we could increase income, if at all. Because when we do something big like this, I want to plan for it. And that means not taking the resources necessarily that we have and seeing what we can do with it, but instead saying, I’m going to do this in X amount of time. How do I get myself there? What do I do now?

Sean Pyles:

Let’s look into some more specifics. I know when you do financial planning, you need some specific numbers. You’re looking for balances of savings accounts. Let’s really dive into that nitty-gritty. So when it comes to something like a savings fund for a move, what would you maybe want to see from Jim here? Or what other options might there be for Jim to make this move if there isn’t a lot of liquid cash available?

Magda Doemeny:

I think if you are going to be making a move without a job, I want at least a year’s worth of expenses. I really want a year’s worth of expenses where you’re going, not where you are today, right? Because what we want to know is if it takes you a year to find a job that can pay you somewhat near your cost of living, I don’t want you to have to incur high interest debt, which is what could happen, right? Ultimately, if you need to pay for something, it goes on a credit card and if there’s not cash to support it, that stays there. You get a rolling balance, and that could just be for your day-to-day expenses potentially. So we need ideally at least a year if you’re quitting your job and moving.

Sean Pyles:

And so Jim, what is your emergency savings like right now, or your move savings fund? Do you have anything like that put aside?

I do. So my emergency fund right now, I’ve been aiming to have about six months and I don’t have that yet. So I’d say right now I just wanted a big trip, but I’ve gotten reimbursed for my company. So I would say I’ve got something like 6,000 in emergency savings and my low cost of living in Milwaukee, I’d say that would just barely cover three months.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. And are you putting aside a certain amount monthly to build that up or how are you thinking about increasing your emergency savings?

Yeah, I save about $850 a month, although I’ve had a couple of big expenses lately and I have a car that I love, but she is at the end of her rope. She’s put in a good hard life and she deserves a rest. So knowing that I have this car that serves me fine now, but would absolutely not make a cross country move. I’ve been delaying doing anything about the car in hopes that I might be able to move somewhere where that’s not a necessity and that would save me a lot of money, but I don’t know those circumstances until I’ve made that change.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. So talk with us a little bit about the car. Are you willing to take on some debt? I know you mentioned that you’re not really keen on debt at this point after all of your student loans. It seems like it might be an inevitability unless you really prioritize living somewhere that’s more central, which could mean higher rent payment, especially in a more expensive place like San Diego.

Sure. I mean, of course if I bought a car I would absolutely need a car loan, but my bigger more important priority is the move. So if I could move somewhere where I didn’t need a car, I would happily forgo a car so that I could pursue that.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Well, Magda happens to live in San Diego. Can you speak a little bit about how walkable certain parts might be? What are your thoughts around the necessity of a car in that city?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. I’ve been there for just over a year now, and I live more in the suburbs since I have two kids. I think it’s possible, but generally California is not very public transportation friendly, I’d say, born and raised in California. So part of what’s fun about California is all the places you can go. Beach, mountains and those things will need a car. And so outside of you moving there to restrict your life to your area, you can expect to need a car to get places which is $100 Lyft here or something like that. I mean, it costs me $50 here to the airport. So you’ll probably need a car.

Sean Pyles:

So I’d like to hear your thoughts around Jim’s savings in terms of emergency savings and savings for a move like this. Do you have any tips for how he could potentially increase the cash that he has to make a move like this possible on the timeline that you have? Do you have a set timeline, by the way? Do you want to move within a year?

Yesterday.

Sean Pyles:

Yesterday. Yeah. So as soon as possible, what do you think are some good ways to accelerate savings?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. So I have a little bit of context on your situation, which includes how much you have in retirement savings, which for your age is actually pretty good relative to how much your income is. And this is more something that we use to gauge just general progression around how much you’re saving for retirement, but it is based on your income and your living expenses because it means you’ve saved enough to cover your current lifestyle. But with a move to San Diego, the assumption would be you’d have to increase your income and increase your savings if that was your permanent home forever.

If you end up moving back to Milwaukee, great, then you’re saving higher. So because of that, I think something that I could suggest is one, we want to take a look at your expenses in general. It sounds like you track them pretty closely, which is great, but we can always, if we set a goal which is I need to save X dollars, which for you would definitely be six months, but if you didn’t have an income, I’d want it to be a year, and we can work backwards from that number. One thing I could suggest is that we actually decrease some of your retirement contributions, but I want to learn a little bit more about your match. So in order to get that 9% match, is there a minimum contribution you have to put in to get the 9% match?

So we are a unionized office, so there’s actually two employer contributions. So when I put in 5%, that gets matched to 3.5%, but then there’s a 5.5% that is not a match, it’s just put in. But my 5% that I put in now is necessary to get the full 9%. Yeah.

Magda Doemeny:

Sean Pyles:

And this is 5% on what salary?

Well, I just got a raise, so about 74.

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Congrats on the raise, by the way.

Thank you. Thank you.

Sean Pyles:

And so you mentioned that Jim was in a pretty solid place in terms of his age for retirement savings. What was that balance and how do you think about these benchmarks? Because there are certain numbers people see around, okay, one time is your salary, one you’re 30, that sort of thing. So can you provide some context and details around Jim’s situation for that?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. So correct me if I’m wrong, Jim, but I have that in terms of retirement savings, about 125,000 or so, which is spread between a Roth IRA and a 403(b) at your employer. So that’s about 97,000 in one and 26,000 in the other.

It’s like 120 in the employer and then another 27 or so in my Roth.

Magda Doemeny:

Oh, okay. So 120.

Sean Pyles:

Which just for context will put you ahead of the vast majority of people in this country. So even though these benchmarks are very aggressive, one time your salary at 30 is impossible for many, many people, you’re doing fantastic in that regard. So you should be proud of that.

Magda Doemeny:

Older me will thank me, but younger me really wants to be warm.

Magda Doemeny:

Right. And that’s true. So that I tend to use, there’s a number of different ways you can just figure out if you’re on or off track. I tend to not use the very detailed method until you’re really close to retirement because then we’re actually making a decision to cut off your salary, which the best ways for you to increase your saving is really only two ways. It’s increase your income or decrease your spending. And so for you, I think that your retirement savings is great, which is why potentially we could trim back a little bit, but I really hate giving away free money, so I don’t know that I’d want to do that. So I would want to prioritize two things. The first one would be is there any other way we can increase your income, whether it’s gig work or contracting at what you do? If there’s a way for you, I think you had mentioned at some point that you have a journalism background. Is there a way you can start picking up some writing?

Magda Doemeny:

Something like that.

Fun fact about me, I’m a giant nerd and I actually am a seasonal tax preparer.

Magda Doemeny:

So I’ve done that the last couple of years. People look at me like, what is wrong with you that you could do this for fun? But I love it. But part of the reason why I haven’t spent more time on side gig work, even though I have plenty of time for it, is because I’ve been using that time for the job hunt. So I’ve been trying to spend my time making connections and networking and finding roles that I might want to do that would increase my income and my full-time job. So it’s tricky to be able to find the time to do that when you’re working at night as well.

Magda Doemeny:

And what’s the target salary range you’re looking at, where are you finding it?

I would love something in maybe the 110s, but I think I would accept a role that would be anything from 95 on up.

Magda Doemeny:

Sean Pyles:

Okay. Which sort of specific jobs are you looking for?

That’s a great question. So my background is in nonprofits, that’s where I have the most experience and I think it’s most likely where I’d go. One reason why I’ve stayed in nonprofits so long is not only do I love it and it is very meaningful work and I work with good people and I like the causes that I work for, but I was on the public service loan forgiveness plan, so about half of my student debt was forgiven in April because I had worked for a nonprofit for 10 years. So now that that’s happened, the financial incentive isn’t there for me to stay in nonprofits. So I’m very open to going into something else. For a while, I really like the analytical parts of my job and I take classes in SQL and R and Python for fun.

But because I’m sort of in a middle career, it’s tricky to find a role where I’m not taking a low step, a step downward, and I’ve got a lot of ad hoc do-it-yourself learning that is a little trickier to sell, especially in tech right now, which seems like it’s had a lot of layoffs. So I have a very, very broad net, which has its pros and cons. It means I’d be willing to do a lot of things, but then it’s really hard to know how to network or find something. So I’d say right now I’ve been looking in largely government jobs.

Magda Doemeny:

And I will say that you ultimately want to look at what your goal is here, which if it is to increase your income. We as financial planners will tell people all the time, you can stop working to go and get a degree if that’s going to increase your income over time. And so even you mentioned taking a step down from maybe career level where you are, but ultimately, if you’re stepping into an industry that will 2 to 3x your salary, that might not be a bad decision, especially if some of these positions being in the engineering tech space, their entry level positions could be not too far below your current one and sure it might be below, but it’s probably remote, which is great.

And you’ll still be a W-2 employee, which we care a lot about. Not that you can’t be a contractor, but that comes with benefits when it comes to being fully remote. And so that could be something that you shouldn’t shy away from if you can actually get into that industry and then start to really progress your career a lot higher versus in one that might be a little more stagnant.

I have no problem with that and applying elsewhere. And I love learning, but I have such a hate-hate relationship with the higher ed industrial complex. And the thought of taking on more student loan debt makes me want to jump out a window. It’s not to say that I would never do it, but it would be very hard to maintain the feeling that this is…

Magda Doemeny:

Really going to help you.

Right. Really going to help me. That it’s not going to cause a lot of the same kind of anxiety that it’s caused me for the past 18 years.

Magda Doemeny:

And could you get into the industry without additional education?

I’d like to think so.

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. But that’s where you’re struggling.

People keep saying that I can, but they haven’t given me an offer yet.

Sean Pyles:

Well, I want to turn to talking about a different type of debt, home debt, mortgage debt. You’re hoping to become a homeowner at some point. How have you begun to plan for that?

Limited. So I used to be married. I got divorced last year and I had been using the Roth IRA combined with my partner. We were saving together in different vehicles, but the Roth was a way where I could save this money. I had worked in a lot of other sketchy nonprofits before that I didn’t really trust how they were managing their finances. So I did my retirement savings myself through my Roth. So after doing some research, I learned that with a Roth IRA, as long as it’s at least five years old, you can use all the contributions toward whatever you want without a penalty or taxes and even 10,000 of the earnings for first-time home purchase. So the way that we were saving for a home together was she was using her savings vehicle and I was using the Roth IRA as my savings vehicle.

So that’s been there. I’m not contributing to that Roth right now because I’ve got other priorities in my budget, but it’s been there as well. When it’s time for a down payment, I’ll draw from that. But I don’t intend to buy property anywhere until I have proven to myself that whether or not living somewhere with a really, really wonderful miraculous climate like San Diego would be worth it. So I guess my savings is in the Roth IRA and that’s part of why I’m interested in talking today is like, well, I don’t think buying a home is in the very near future and I don’t think it will ever feel like something that I would feel good about until I made this other change, if that makes sense.

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. And that absolutely makes sense. I want to weigh, I think it’s okay to use a Roth IRA for something that I would view as an investment. Not to say that you moving to San Diego and bettering your life and the way that it would better your life isn’t an investment. But the problem with doing it not into an asset like a house is that if you decide that this isn’t for you and you don’t like it and you move back, it is money that was depleted that didn’t have the potential to turn into something more. And so for something like living expenses, that is something that I’d prefer we save for outside in some capacity versus depleting a retirement account to use for effectively an emergency fund really is what we would be using it for. And I do think that we could, ultimately, find a way to do that.

We would just probably extend your timeline a bit, but you had mentioned that you’re saving typically around 880 or so a month in a year’s time, and especially if there’s any way we can even trim back expenses even more, that can be a good chunk of money that we can set aside to say, this is your getting to San Diego. I know a year might be too long of a timeline, so we could figure out how to adjust that if we can figure out how to make more money and then we can really hoard a lot of cash that we can use for a move.

Music to my ears, making more money.

Sean Pyles:

So I want to turn to specific advice on an even monthly basis potentially for Jim in a moment. But I also have a question around accounts because we’re NerdWallet, I’m all about getting people the best products for their goals. What sort of savings account are you using? Do you have a high-yield savings account? Talk with me about that.

I chose my savings account based on NerdWallet’s recommendations.

Sean Pyles:

And it is high-yield?

It is high-yield. [inaudible 00:24:29] income. Yeah. So I think right now my savings account is at 4.6%.

Sean Pyles:

Okay, great. So what do you think about trimming expenses to be able to save more? Do you have anything in mind that you think, okay, that’d be an easy expense to trim right off the bat?

Honestly, no. So sure, I go out often. I am a pretty extroverted person and it’s been very good for just my mood to be able to see a lot of my friends. I don’t always have to spend money when I go out, but it’s pretty tricky to go out into a bar or a restaurant with friends and not spend some money. So I can imagine if I was really disciplined I could shave a couple of hundred dollars a month off of that. But like I said about my car, I feel like anything that I would save by doing that would just get gobbled up when this car, ultimately, crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Magda Doemeny:

And it is something that we want to plan for when we look at cash. We don’t want anyone to have too much cash. I don’t know if that’s crazy to say out loud, but cash is not great. Cash is for specific purposes, which is your emergency fund and any short-term goals that you have, your car being one of them. So we would want to pre-fund whatever we think a down payment would be, so you’d want to do some research on what car you would want, and then we’d figure out roughly how much we’d want to put down for something like that and that we’d want to set aside in cash. So if you’re saying that you don’t think that you could trim expenses too much, which is fair, I mean, I don’t want to say go live with 10 roommates and find a way to never go out and enjoy life. That’s not what your finances are all about.

It’s about meeting you where you are within the means of getting to your goals. I do think the next priority would have to be focusing on increasing income, which it sounds like you’re doing. But then my goal for you would be that we wouldn’t move to San Diego until we at least knew where your income could get. Because if we find out that your income is 110 or 120, that’s very different than if we find out your income would stay at 75, which we know for certain…

Would not.

Magda Doemeny:

Would not cut it.

Would not be possible.

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah, because I mean right now your housing expense is $1,000 a month, correct?

Which is incredible.

Magda Doemeny:

It’s incredible. And no roommates, I assume.

That’s right.

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. So I think in San Diego I would guess that you could do $1,000 with maybe two or three roommates or something. I don’t know if I’m being extreme. And so right now, based on your ability to maintain your contributions to retirement, which I’d love to do. Like I said, you’re a little ahead of the game, so if you change jobs and they didn’t have this incredible match, I think I’d be okay with you trimming down your retirement contributions and we could reallocate those funds to maybe a cash account or just a standard investment account so that you can liquidate that anytime. There could be penalties associated with if you’ve made money on them, but no penalty, that would just be taxes. So we could reallocate funds that we could say this is towards building towards a future home or something like that. So I would be okay with that, but I think we really need to figure out what your next job is going to be.

You and me both. Yeah.

Magda Doemeny:

Sean Pyles:

Well, that brings me to the next part of this conversation, the actual specific recommendations, Magda, that you would have for Jim. So when you’re thinking about a financial planning session like we’re having now and this ongoing relationship that you will have with Jim going forward, what would you say is maybe the first best thing that Jim should do to get to that goal? Moving to San Diego, hopefully, within a year, maybe two years.

Magda Doemeny:

I think the first thing would be that we get a better idea of what the cost is actually going to be in San Diego. So that means really doing some research and finding real places on rent. We could talk about the other parts of the cost of living, obviously, but there’s ways to do research and just find out how much is it going to cost to buy your groceries down there. And then accommodating for lifestyle change of just going out and about potentially a lot more in a new city. So I’d want to get a better handle on that so then we could figure out how much do you need to make to support that lifestyle. I also want to make sure we figure out how much we need for a down payment on a car. If we need one, which I think in San Diego you would, I wouldn’t want to anchor on not needing a car because if you do, we got to find that money somewhere once we’ve already done that.

Sean Pyles:

I imagine it’d be cheaper to buy a car in Wisconsin than San Diego.

Magda Doemeny:

And driving it all the way through. I don’t know if there’s income tax you guys…

Magda Doemeny:

Or do you guys have sales tax there?

Magda Doemeny:

Yeah. Okay. So I’m sure it’s probably cheaper than California. So I think those would be the first few things, and then we would want to figure out how to create an actual budget for you once you moved so that we could decide how much can you be spending while you’re there on non-housing so that we don’t go too far over budget. And then we would figure out if we need to, how much we can contribute to your retirement once you started your job. My biggest thing that I actually haven’t mentioned is moving somewhere without a job. One of the most important things that you’re losing is your healthcare. And I don’t know about other states, but being in California, it’s not cheap. And this can be several hundred dollars a month just so that you have healthcare coverage, which you have to have. And so that’s another reason why it’s just important for you to have some source of employment, whether it be that they provide it or you have an income to pay for the healthcare. So we’d want to make sure that got set up as well.

Sean Pyles:

Accomplishing financial goals. One thing Magda and I talked about before this recording is about making changes. It’s like going to therapy. You don’t just go for the conversation. It’s about having some proactive differences that you’re going to make in your day-to-day life. Are you prepared to make some significant changes to maybe how you manage your income and expenses, maybe working a little bit more to be able to get to where you want to be in a year?

I very much am. The challenge is making the changes that are going to yield the biggest benefit. So like I mentioned, I have no problem working two jobs. I’ve done that for a lot of my career, but lately I’ve been using that second job time to find a different first job. And so it’s hard to know what the payoff is, like where’s the most lucrative place to spend my time. That also aligns with my goals and also takes into account just how much time I’ve already put in. I don’t want to look too much at all this time that I’ve worked on it, but the fact that I’ve put so much time in and it’s still this important to me kind of makes me want to look more boldly at what kind of risks am I really willing to take.

Sean Pyles:

Well, Jim, do you have any other specific questions for us that you haven’t asked yet?

Anybody’s selling a car for really cheap?

Sean Pyles:

Unfortunately, no. Not here, not me. Great. Well, Magda, let’s turn to what some listeners can get from this conversation. At a high level, what do you see in Jim’s situation that might be applicable to our audience?

Magda Doemeny:

I think it’s very common for people to not really understand exactly what their money can do for them. And frankly, even as a CFP, I find this to be the case sometimes too, where I want to take risks, which is taboo, but sometimes I want to do that and I know folks want to be able to stretch their dollars. It is possible to be too conservative sometimes. I want to encourage folks to take risks sometimes that are something you’ve at least thought through and have a plan for. I know I’ve said plan a thousand times right now, but that’s really what this boils down to is when you want to take a risk, you just have to do the research to put it together so that you have a plan. Because too many times what we see is I might talk to somebody on the back end of that non-existent plan and I say, well, let’s talk about how you got here.

And it comes along with such and such was going on and I just didn’t want to do it anymore, and I did X and now I’m here. And that’s not always the case for everybody, but if you have a plan and a direction, it also helps you decide when it’s not working. You get there and you’re bleeding cash and you say, wow, I can only make it here six months. So you have an exit point to say, I can only spend this much money in six months. Now I need to go back to my cheaper lifestyle. If we don’t at least plan things through, then we don’t know our entry, our exit, and we don’t know when things are really turning in the wrong direction. I know that’s more of a negative way of thinking about it, but the positive spin would be true as well.

Like I mentioned, when you want to make a change, I want people to be empowered by that change. The same is true if you decide to go back to school and get an education. I want you to know that this is bettering your future, and that’s why you’re willing to take the risk and slow down your career temporarily to speed it back up. The same is true for making this move. I want you to get there and enjoy it and not have money be the thing that’s just constantly in your background saying like, oh, is this a bad decision? I can’t afford it. And so I think that’s pretty applicable to most people who want to take risks.

Sean Pyles:

Great. Well, Jim, I hope this was helpful. Keep us posted on how things are going for you, and thank you so much for coming on Smart Money and talking with us.

This is fantastic. Thank you so much.

Sean Pyles:

Great. And, Magda, thanks as always for sharing your insights.

Magda Doemeny:

Of course. Happy to be here.

Sean Pyles:

And that’s all we have for this episode. Remember, listener, that we are here to answer your money questions. So turn to the Nerds and call or text us with your questions at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730-NERD. You can also email us at [email protected]. Also visit nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. And remember that you can follow the show on your favorite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio to automatically download new episodes. To learn more about NerdWallet advisors, go to https://nerdwalletadvisors.com/smart-money.

Here’s our brief disclaimer. I am not a financial or investment advisor. This nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.

This episode was produced by Tess Vigeland, Cody Gough, and myself. And a special thank you to Magda Doemeny, Georgia McIntyre, and Emily Canedo, and a big thank you to NerdWallet’s editors for all their help. And with that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

September 10, 2024 by Brett Tams

Doom spending is spending money to cope with stress when the future seems uncertain or troubling, such as when the economic or political outlook appears grim. For example, a person might be feeling anxious about how high their housing costs are and what will happen in an upcoming election. To distract themselves from these worries, they might splash out on a special sushi dinner, concert tickets, or new clothes. The thinking here? “What’s ahead looks dicey; I might as well enjoy myself now.”

If you can relate to this, read on to learn more about the causes of doom spending and how not to let it harm your financial standing.

Key Points

• Doom spending is when individuals spend money to cope with stress and anxiety about the future, such as a gloomy economic or political outlook.

• A significant portion of Americans, especially the younger Gen Z and millennial generations, engage in doom spending.

• Psychological triggers for doom spending may include stress, anxiety, impulse control issues, and societal and peer pressure.

• Doom spending can lead to increased debt and reduced savings, negatively impacting financial stability.

• Strategies to break the cycle of doom spending may include creating and sticking to a budget, setting up automatic savings transfers, and seeking alternative stress relief methods.

Understanding Doom Spending

Doom spending is a phenomenon in which people may overspend in response to stressful times. For instance, when the world is filled with political and economic uncertainty, consumers (especially younger ones) may feel there’s no point in saving. A voice inside their head may ask, “Why bother?” Instead, they decide to live in the moment and go shopping as a distraction and mood lifter.

A November 2023 survey by Qualtrics on behalf of Credit Karma found that 27% of all Americans engage in doom spending, and it’s especially prevalent among younger adults. In fact, 43% of millennials and 35% of Gen Zers admit they have spent money in this way.

Financial experts say these generations may be especially vulnerable to feelings of hopelessness and doom spending, as they came of age in a time of economic uncertainty and are living in an era with high housing costs, massive student debt, and considerable inflation (consumer prices rose approximately 20% between January 2020 and January 2024). Many may find that they currently have a lot less in their bank accounts that they’d like.

While there is nothing wrong with occasional rewards, doom spending can result in credit card debt and a reduced ability to save for the future. In the Qualtrics/Credit Karma study, about one-third of Americans reported an increase in debt in the past six months, and nearly half said the amount of money they’re saving has gone down.

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Psychological Triggers Behind Doom Spending

Here’s a closer look at some of the causes of doom spending.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can trigger doom spending, and there’s little doubt that they are rampant right now. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), many people in the U.S. have been negatively impacted by the trauma of the pandemic, global conflict, racial injustice, inflation, and environmental challenges around us. All of those issues can swirl together and create a feeling of future doom.

According to a June 2024 Axios Vibes/Harris Poll survey, a majority of millennials and Gen Zers agree that it is better to treat themselves now rather than hold off for a future “that feels like it could change at any moment.”

Impulse Control Issues

Shopping can bring joy in a few different ways. Research has shown that purchasing an item you desire can empower you with a sense of control. It can also flood your brain with dopamine, a “feel good” neurotransmitter.

When people feel that the future is gloomy, they may crave that “feel good” flood even more and, therefore, easily give in to impulse purchases. Spending money in this way can be a relief and a release. It’s a distraction that lets you treat yourself and temporarily escape your worries.

Societal and Peer Pressure

Social media can exacerbate doom spending by driving you to spend money to “keep up with the Joneses.” It can also lead to FOMO (fear of missing out) spending and YOLO (you only live once) spending.

Because the future seems cloudy and so expensive, you may not bother to plan for it. Instead, you might follow a friend’s, coworker’s, or social media influencer’s lead and spend money on the latest trendy purchase or experience. It can create a feeling of belonging and help you escape all the doom-driven anxiety.

Recommended: Financial Planning Tips for Young Adults in Their 20s

Consequences of Doom Spending

The consequences of doom spending can be mild or more significant, but typically include the following:

• Blowing your budget. Additional spending can make it hard to stick to a budget. If you’re buying more non-essentials, you may come up short when it’s time to make your student loan payment. Or you might have to stop contributing to your retirement plan so you can make ends meet.

• Credit card debt. Credit card debt in the U.S. reached a record high in the second quarter of 2024 (hitting $1.142 trillion). That’s a whole lot of swiping and tapping going on, and doom spending may be a contributing factor. Shopping with credit cards can feel as if purchases don’t cost anything since no hard cash changes hands. But if you go overboard with doom spending, you may get an eye-watering bill. Given today’s ultra-high credit card interest rates (currently averaging over 20%), it can be hard to get out from under credit card debt once it starts racking up.

• Ability to save. When you spend money on fun treats and impulse purchases to relieve stress and buoy your spirits, it may well be “borrowed” from money you were going to save. Whether those dollars were earmarked for an emergency fund, retirement account, the down payment on a house, or other purpose, doom spending can set you back in terms of your short- and long-term financial goals.

• Increased stress. Knowing that you’ve overspent can heighten the anxiety you are already feeling. Many people feel guilty about spending money, and a doom-triggered spending spree can create more worries about your financial future.

Strategies To Manage and Prevent Doom Spending

If you’ve been doom spending (or tempted to), these strategies can help you reign in the impulse.

Setting a Budget

A good budget helps organize your money and keep your spending on track; it can provide guardrails for how your income will be spent and saved. There are many different types of budgets, so you may need to experiment to find the method that works best for you. One popular approach is the 50/30/20 budget rule, which says that 50% of your take-home pay should go to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and/or additional debt payments. With a budget like this in place, you know just how much (30%) can go toward fun expenditures and can stick to that figure.

Once you determine how much you want to put towards savings each month, it’s a good idea to set up an automated transfer from your checking account to your savings account for the same day each month (perhaps right after you get paid). That way, the money gets whisked away and won’t sit there, tempting you to spend it.

You can set a budget and track your spending with pen and paper, or you might want to download a budgeting and spending app to your phone to simplify the process.

Self-Control Techniques

Being aware of what triggers you to doom spend can help you stop. For example, if you know you tend to shop on Sundays when you start feeling anxious about the week ahead and life in general, fill your calendar. You might set up a standing date to go walking or running with a friend or take on a volunteer gig or side hustle so you are too busy to spend.

Many people impulse buy online or on social media. If you tend to overspend in this way, consider disabling one-click shopping. It’s also a good idea to delete your credit card details from your devices — that way, it won’t be so easy to mindlessly spend while scrolling.

Recommended: How to Stop Spending Money

Seeking Professional Help

If you feel your doom spending isn’t yielding to the above techniques, you might want to enlist the help of a professional. A financial planner could help with budgeting or a therapist could guide you to uncover and address the emotional aspects of your spending.

A financial therapist could also be helpful. They merge money know-how and an understanding of human behavior to resolve issues such as doom spending.

The Takeaway

Doom spending is a way of coping with stress by spending money. When you feel as if the world is uncertain and anxiety-provoking, you may find relief by shopping. But this can negatively impact your finances and create more money worries. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help you control doom spending and stick to a budget.

The right banking partner can also help by giving you tools to help you track and grow your money.

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FAQ

What are the common signs of doom spending?

Common signs of doom spending include:

• Making impulsive purchases in response to feeling stressed or anxious about the future

• Feeling temporary relief or pleasure after spending but later regretting the purchase

• Frequently buying things you don’t need

• Neglecting to save for the future

How can I break the cycle of doom spending?

Here’s a look at some strategies that can help you break the cycle of doom spending:

• Create a monthly spending budget.

• Set up a recurring monthly transfer from checking to savings.

• Uncover your spending triggers and work to avoid or eliminate them.

• Practice mindful spending by pausing before each purchase and assessing if it’s truly necessary.

• Seek alternatives for stress relief, such as exercise or hobbies, to replace spending as a coping mechanism.

• Work with a financial advisor or psychologist/therapist

Are there tools or apps to help manage spending habits?

Yes, there are a number of online tools and apps that can help you manage your spending habits, set up a budget, and monitor financial goals. Popular options include YNAB (You Need a Budget), Goodbudget, and EveryDollar. You might also check with your bank to see what tools they offer to track and organize your finances.

Photo credit: iStock/YakobchukOlena

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

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Source: sofi.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 31, 2024 by Brett Tams

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:

Understand how first-gen Americans can achieve financial success with tips for balancing cultural obligations and wealth-building strategies.

How can first-generation Americans grow their wealth and protect their money? How can you set financial boundaries with family and friends while staying committed to your long-term financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss the unique financial challenges faced by first-generation Americans and immigrant families to help you understand strategies for achieving financial independence. They begin with a discussion of tips and tricks on managing dual financial pressures of supporting oneself and one’s parents and breaking cycles of poverty through self-compassion and financial education.

Jannese Torres, host of the personal finance podcast Yo Quiero Dinero, joins Kim to discuss the importance of building a strong financial support network tailored to individual needs. They discuss strategies for identifying trustworthy financial advisors, setting and maintaining financial boundaries with family and friends, and gracefully declining costly invitations in favor of ensuring long-term financial success. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating cultural and familial obligations while striving for financial independence.

Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including:

NerdWallet stories related to this episode:

Episode transcript

This transcript was generated from podcast audio by an AI tool.

Sean Pyles:

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast. I’m Sean Pyles.

Kim Palmer:

And I’m Kim Palmer.

Sean Pyles:

On Smart Money, we are all about answering your money questions, and today we’re tackling an important one: How can first-generation Americans grow their wealth and protect their money? Kim, in her role as the host of our regular book club series, is here to guide the conversation. So Kim, who are you talking with?

Kim Palmer:

I am speaking with Jannese Torres, author of the new book, Financially Lit!: The Modern Latina’s Guide to Level Up Your Dinero & Become Financially Poderosa. She is also the host of the personal finance podcast Yo Quiero Dinero, and we are joined by my fellow Nerd Melissa Lambarena, a writer on the credit cards team, who also serves as an English and Spanish language spokesperson here at NerdWallet.

Sean Pyles:

Sounds great. Well, I will let you all take things from here.

Kim Palmer:

Great. Thank you. Jannese, thank you so much for joining Melissa and me today.

Jannese Torres:

Thank you so much for having me. Excited to be here.

Kim Palmer:

Let’s start with what’s unique about money for first-generation Americans and immigrant families. You write about how money is often not talked about, for example. Can you share some of those financial challenges that first-generation Americans often face?

Jannese Torres:

Absolutely. So I think at its core, it can start with something as simple as the language barrier. For many first-gen kids, we could be the family translators, oftentimes in financial situations. And so it’s not uncommon for us to take on the responsibility of helping our parents file their tax returns, navigate balancing a checkbook, or any number of other financial tasks that, for folks who can speak English, it’s just so much easier to do that.

So that’s one thing. But then I think there’s a lot of, maybe I would call them cultural nuances, that make the financial industry and first-gen communities kind of be at odds in a way. And I think some of that comes from the fact that there is this lack of culturally competent education and information oftentimes. It’s really even really hard to find alternate language content from a banking institution or a financial institution.

And also, there’s a lot of trauma associated with finances, especially if your parents have come from another country where maybe the economic situation is not as stable. There’s a big mistrust of financial institutions. So a lot of those things can compound in a way that make us very fearful of money and also the institutions that control it.

Melissa Lambarena:

I can definitely relate to that as a first-generation American, having to help my parents with a lot of these, figuring out different documents and a lot of these financial questions. Another thing that impacts us is that we might have to save for our own future, but also support parents who lack retirement savings in the present. And this is something that you talk about in your book. What do you see or want for people who find themselves in this situation?

Jannese Torres:

Well, I think first off, it requires a lot of self-compassion because what I find is there can be a lot of resentment and frustration amongst first-gen kids who feel like, well, why didn’t mom and dad do better? And it’s like we have to have the context and understand that they couldn’t do what they didn’t know. It’s not like financial literacy information is pervasive regardless of where you’re from, but especially when you’re from an immigrant community.

And so I like to refer to the oxygen mask analogy, for especially first-gen kids, because at the end of the day, the foundation that you are building as a wealth builder is only going to be as stable as you make it. If you overextend yourself or just find yourself continuously helping everybody else, but at the expense of your own future self, then it’s just going to perpetuate this cycle of poverty and struggle and feeling like we keep working towards a goal that we never actually achieve.

So I do recommend that folks prioritize their own financial stability. But then also, if you know that you’re going to be in a position to have to financially take care of someone, start having those conversations early and often so that you can start to understand the scope of what that’s going to look like and then make a plan accordingly.

Kim Palmer:

In the foreword of your book, it notes that a lot of personal finance publishers really have a blind spot, and they’re mainly writing for wealthy, white older readers. When did you realize the need for a podcast and a book like yours, and what kind of questions do you get from listeners that they might not hear anywhere else?

Jannese Torres:

I’ve been consuming personal finance content since 2016. And after about three years, I realized that the voices just didn’t 100% resonate with my lived experience as a first-gen Latina. And so that’s when I decided to stick my foot in and decide to launch the podcast, which inevitably led to my opportunity to write this book.

It’s definitely been inspired by the numerous conversations that I’ve had on the podcast where folks feel a lot of imposter syndrome for wanting wealth, a lot of fear because there is that lack of knowledge and a lack of trustworthy resources that we can go to, to learn more about this information. And I have found that it really moves the needle when people can hear stories from folks that they can resonate with.

And that’s why I think it’s so important to have that cultural context when we’re talking about money. Because for example, I think a lot of the mainstream personal finance content is very individualistic-based, especially here in America. Whereas for a lot of communities of color, it’s not unheard of to have multigenerational households where people are contributing collectively towards financial goals.

And just the idea of the bootstraps narrative and picking yourself up and working hard, but just for yourself, it doesn’t really align with how we operate most often in our communities.

Melissa Lambarena:

And financial trauma is something that you approach in your book that is often not seen across many personal finance books. Is this something that is left out of other personal finance books, and how can people get to the root of their financial trauma to make progress on their financial goals?

Jannese Torres:

I mean, I think the whole conversation around mental health and money is something that it needs to be more prevalent. Because I’ve found time and time again that it doesn’t matter if you tell somebody what they should be doing, whether it’s budgeting, saving, or investing — if they have mental health issues and financial trauma, that is going to prevent them from taking those steps. And so getting to the root of your money beliefs is a critical part of this whole journey.

For me, it was really important to include that information in the book. One of the things that I do is I walk readers through understanding where those narratives that we have internalized come from. If you have a perception that wealth is somehow intrinsically bad or immoral, did you grow up in a household where maybe that was the messaging from a religious aspect? Or did you see your parents fighting over money, and so it makes you afraid to talk about it with your partner? All of those things are subconsciously impacting how we operate with money, and I think it’s important for folks to have that context because oftentimes there’s just this shame and guilt that we feel about us not being able to make progress. But you have to understand why you feel the way you do about money before you can start to change those narratives.

Kim Palmer:

I totally agree. I’m so glad that we’re having those conversations more now. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this too, but I do feel like in the personal finance space, people are willing to talk about the mental health side of things more. It seems like something that’s coming up more often.

Jannese Torres:

Absolutely. I think there is less of a stigma when it comes to just talking about mental health in general, but I think that has not necessarily been at the same pace depending on where you’re from. I think for especially communities of color, there still is a lot of stigma about first talking about mental health and then letting folks know that you might be working with a therapist.

So I think the more that we normalize these conversations, the less they’ll be taboo, and the more open that people can be. Because you often realize once you start talking to other folks, there’s a lot of people that are going through the same exact emotions, and it just helps you feel less alone when you know that there are safe spaces where you can talk about this.

Kim Palmer:

Yes, absolutely. You also write about the importance of making yourself more financially secure with multiple income streams. And I love your personal story with this, how your side hustle started with a blog. So I’d love if you can share how your own side hustle helped you after an unexpected job loss and why it’s so important to have those multiple income streams.

Jannese Torres:

So I consider myself an elder millennial. I graduated about six months before the Great Recession. And so even though I went to school and got a degree in order to “get the stable job,” I did not experience that as soon as I got into the workforce. I found a lot of folks having unexpected layoffs.

And seeing especially people who had dedicated 20, 30 years plus to a company and be walked out the door with nothing more than a thank you and a box to collect their things, I think that for me was a very jarring realization at a young age that maybe it’s just not so stable out here in the corporate world. I always had that in the back of my head that I did want to diversify my income.

And then when I got laid off in January of 2014, it was confirmation of all these feelings that I’d had about just not putting all your eggs in one basket when it comes to your financial stability. I had been dabbling with content creation with the blog in early 2013. And when I got laid off, I took a couple of months. Instead of rushing back to get another job, I decided to double down and really learn on how you could turn an online content-based blog into an actual business.

And so I started learning about things like affiliate marketing and brand partnerships and how do you put ads on your website. And so that led me down a rabbit hole of entrepreneurship, which led me into the personal finance space. It’s been a really interesting experience seeing how you can have the power to create your own income streams just with ideas that you come up with with your head.

I like to encourage folks to really take a look at their skill sets, whether those are personal or professional skills, and see how you can turn them into a side hustle. Because at the bare minimum, you’ll be able to make extra money to pay off debt or save and invest. Best-case scenario is you might be building your new career.

Kim Palmer:

For sure. And then, as you found, if your main job source or source of income disappears, you have that to fall back on.

Jannese Torres:

Absolutely. There’s just a sense of power that comes from knowing that nobody can mess with you financially, especially if you have different ways of making money.

Kim Palmer:

Yes, I love that.

Melissa Lambarena:

I think a lot of our listeners are going to be inspired by that story. It’s important to stay aware and just read up on what other people are doing out there. And on that note, some people might not want to quit their job if they enjoy what they do or they like having that security of a full-time job. In that situation, what are some options that people may have to create multiple income streams, and have you stumbled upon any success stories throughout your work?

Jannese Torres:

Well, I think that at the bare minimum, we should all be using some of our disposable income to invest. Because when it comes to making that sexy passive income that everybody wants to make, that’s the easiest way to do it. Creating an additional income stream through dividend investing and through capital gains, that’s number one. If you don’t have access to an investment account through your job, anybody who has earned income can open a traditional or a Roth IRA.

So just think about what those options are for you. It doesn’t have to be that you’re building a business. There’s folks who decide to purchase real estate, and that’s how they create a secondary income stream. There’s folks who decide not to buy physical real estate, but they can invest in REITs or real estate investment trusts and be getting paid monthly rental income just by being an investor.

There’s other ways to make money versus just starting a business. But I think it’s just, like I said before, not put all your eggs in a basket. And at the bare minimum, I think it’s really important, especially in this uncertain time that we’re living in, to think about bulking up your emergency funds just because it is taking longer for folks to find jobs if they do get laid off. And knowing that you don’t have to take the first offer and you have room to breathe and figure out what your next steps are, I think that’s something everybody should be thinking about.

Kim Palmer:

You also write about the importance of creating a support network for people when it comes to their money. Can you explain what exactly does that look like? How can we create that support network?

Jannese Torres:

Absolutely. So I did find myself at various points of my personal finance journey feeling unqualified to make decisions, whether it was thinking about am I ready to leave my job and take on entrepreneurship full time, or how do I start investing on behalf of my family, knowing that I want to be able to help them financially? And so in those scenarios, I needed a second opinion and I started working with a certified financial professional.

I’ve worked with an accountant now through my business. I have an attorney. So there’s different folks who are experts in their field who are going to be able to help you navigate moments where you just don’t feel like you have all the information that you need. And I think it’s important to know that you don’t have to figure all of this out alone, and oftentimes you probably shouldn’t.

Like in the case where I was thinking about creating an estate plan, I did not feel comfortable taking on some DIY template and hoping that that was going to pass the bar in the event that I needed to use it for legal purposes. And so in that instance, I decided to seek out an estate planning attorney to help me figure that out. So I think it’s just important for you to know there are people out here who can help answer these questions so that you don’t feel this overwhelming pressure to figure it all out yourself.

Kim Palmer:

For sure. One thing you write about, too, though is that it can be hard to know who you could trust, and you talk about the importance of boundaries and what to do when family members ask you for money. And today on social media, when there’s people who call themselves experts talking about all kinds of things, how do you decide who you can trust in this scenario when you’re trying to build your own support network like that?

Jannese Torres:

I think it’s important to trust, but verify. So not just taking all of your information from a single source. There’s so many different places to learn about personal finance that I like to diversify my education the same way that I like to diversify my income. Doing your due diligence, making sure that you are researching somebody just to understand what information is out there about them.

When we’re talking about financial professionals, there are certification boards and different places that you can look for, making sure that they are still in good standing. I like referrals too. There’s something about working with someone who has a direct relationship with someone that you know. That can be a good strategy. Also, going online and searching for reviews.

There’s no such thing as too much research when it comes to figuring out who you can trust. And I like to think that people naturally reveal themselves after a certain amount of time, so be on the lookout for that too.

Kim Palmer:

Yes. I like that phrase that you used about diversifying your education and your sources. That makes a lot of sense.

Melissa Lambarena:

It’s also important to gather support for your financial goals, and that’s something that you talk about in your book. Some family members or friends may not understand what we’re trying to do, and setting boundaries around money can help you fulfill those goals that you might have, whether it’s to save or get out of debt. What are some ways that you’ve had to navigate this and what advice can you share with our listeners?

Jannese Torres:

I think the first thing is to understand that it’s not going to be very productive to ask someone for directions to a place that they’ve never been. When I say that, I mean, if you were the first person to be investing in the stock market, it’s probably not going to be very productive to talk to your family about this if nobody’s doing it. And so just the idea that you can create your own community of support, I think it’s an important thing to consider.

Because most often we look to the people that we already know to validate what we’re trying to do and to understand, and it’s not necessarily their job. It’s your job to understand the mission that you’re on and then to rally the troops, if you will, create community, whether that’s in person or online. I have found an incredible community of entrepreneurs who support me from all over the world online.

And it’s the same thing with being a first-gen wealth builder. When you start talking about this stuff, you’ll naturally find the people who are aligned with where you are and where you’re trying to go. And so I think it’s just important that you don’t necessarily limit your scope for creating that community amongst the people that you already know. It might require you to be in new spaces and have conversations with new people.

Melissa Lambarena:

What about when it comes to setting boundaries around money? When family members say they want to go on vacation or those weddings come up or holidays, how do you navigate that in a culture that sometimes isn’t used to talking about money at times?

Jannese Torres:

Those scenarios are absolutely challenging. I don’t want to make it seem like it’s not going to be difficult to stand up to the people that you love and say, “You know what? I just can’t swing this. I’m working on other goals and this is just not at the top of my list.” You’re going to have to be okay with people not getting it. And unfortunately, sometimes that’s going to mean maybe offending somebody.

But at the end of the day, we have to develop a thick skin when it comes to staying true to what our values are and understanding that this short-term sacrifice is going to then allow you to potentially be in a position in the future where you can splurge, where you can actually be the one that’s treating your family to these awesome experiences because now you’ve put yourself in a financial position to be able to do so.

I think it’s just important to maintain that long-term perspective and to understand that not everybody’s going to get it, but it’s not necessarily for them to get.

Kim Palmer:

Yeah, and that’s really motivating too. I wanted to delve into some of your specific tips and why they matter. So I picked out a few to highlight. First, your practice your salary negotiation script idea. I love this one because it’s something my own dad also told me about. So tell us why that’s so important and why it can be helpful.

Jannese Torres:

Yeah. Well, at the end of the day, negotiation is an art form. It is a skillset that you have to hone in. You have to work it just like a muscle. And so I think oftentimes when folks even start thinking about negotiation, it’s usually in the context of a salary or a promotion. And that can feel very life or death for some people. It’s like, oh my god, if this doesn’t go right, what’s going to happen? And so I like to encourage folks to start with the basics.

Calling up your credit card company and seeing if you can negotiate a lower interest rate, or when your renewal term is coming up for a streaming service and they want to double your rate, give them a call and say, “You know what? I can’t do this. I’m only going to stay on if you guys can match the introductory rate that I already had.” You’d be surprised how often companies want to retain you as a customer and are willing to make those negotiations.

And so the more comfortable that you get with those small things, when there are bigger things at stake, whether that’s negotiating the price of a car or a house or your salary, you’re going to have more practice and you’re going to have more confidence because you’re going to have more of those wins under your belt.

Kim Palmer:

Yes, that is so true. The second one I wanted to highlight is applying the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. At NerdWallet, that’s also something that we talk about a lot. Can you explain why it works so well?

Jannese Torres:

Well, I think it’s a good baseline for a lot of people to understand where they should be with regards to their fixed and their variable expenses, as well as their savings goals. Now, the thing that makes it an eye-roll situation for a lot of people is depending on where you live, those percentages can be wildly different. If you live in a very high-cost-of-living area, it’s not uncommon for you to be spending 60, 70, maybe even 80% of your income on those fixed expenses.

And so I think it’s a good baseline for folks to set up their first budgets, but I don’t think that you should let it discourage you if you have to tweak those parameters. Because at the end of the day, budgeting is just like personal finance. It really is an individual-based journey, and you have to figure out the system that works best for you.

Kim Palmer:

And finally, you say create sinking funds, which I don’t think everyone is familiar with that term. So can you explain how sinking funds work?

Jannese Torres:

Sure. I love a good sinking fund, and I had no idea what they were until I started down the rabbit hole of personal finance. And essentially, you’re just creating buckets of money for specific purposes. I think most folks are familiar with an emergency fund, and an emergency fund is just a type of sinking fund that you’re saving specifically for emergencies. But I encourage people to think about all of those goals that you have, whether that’s buying a home or upgrading your car or taking a luxurious vacation.

We can create sinking funds for all of these different goals that we have, and that way your money is clearly earmarked for that purpose. It’s easier to see when you’re making progress towards those specific goals instead of having all of your savings in one pot and then hoping that you have allocated enough for all of the things that you want to do. There’s something very visual about being able to track your progress for those individual goals that makes it much easier for a lot of people to maintain that momentum versus just having a pot of money with no designated purpose.

Kim Palmer:

For sure. And also helps you stay organized, I think, and just make sure you’re on track.

Jannese Torres:

Absolutely.

Kim Palmer:

Well, thank you so much, Jannese. Do you have any closing thoughts to share with our listeners?

Jannese Torres:

Well, I like to always remind folks that personal finance and getting your money stuff together is a journey. It is a marathon. It is not a sprint. And so the best thing that you can do is just be a perpetual learner, a continuous student, and never be afraid to ask a question because this world is changing so often, so rapidly. So keep learning, keep growing, and keep applying what you learn.

Kim Palmer:

That is the perfect note to end on. Jannese Torres, thank you so much for joining us on Smart Money.

Jannese Torres:

Thanks so much.

Kim Palmer:

And that’s all we have for this episode. To share your thoughts on money, shoot us an email at [email protected].

Sean Pyles:

Visit nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. And remember, you can follow the show on your favorite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio to automatically download new episodes.

Kim Palmer:

This episode was produced by Sean Pyles, Melissa Lambarena, and myself. Tess Vigeland helped with the editing. And a big thank you to NerdWallet’s editors for all their help.

Sean Pyles:

And here’s our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.

Kim Palmer:

And with that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 28, 2024 by Brett Tams

Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but one of the best ways to succeed is to find a system that works for you. Following a method that meets your needs and preferences can go a long way towards getting your spending and saving on track.

One Japanese budgeting method that’s gaining a lot of attention these days is the kakeibo (pronounced kah-keh-boh) method. Essentially, this budgeting method involves keeping a journal of all incoming and outgoing money to encourage a more mindful approach to spending.

Let’s take a closer look at how this unique Japanese money management method works, including:

• What does kakeibo mean?

• How does the kakeibo method work?

• What are the kakeibo categories?

• How can you properly use kakeibo to budget better?

What Is the Kakeibo Method?

Kakeibo translates to “household financial ledger” and is a very simple budgeting method. All you have to do to embrace the kakeibo method is keep a journal and log all of your incoming earnings and all of your outgoing expenses. By keeping this journal, you, the spender, will become more mindful of each purchase you make. This can help you focus more on your goals than on impulse purchases.

At its most basic, the kakeibo method could be thought of as “slow budgeting,” meaning it slows down the pace of managing your finances. In a world of apps and websites, it may suit those who want to unplug a bit and let the details of a budgeting program really sink in by working with pencil and paper, although there are digital tools that can make kakeibo work for those who love one-click convenience.

How Does Kakeibo Work?

The kakeibo method works by creating a kind of detailed line item budget at the beginning of each month based on your projected income and spending, while keeping savings goals in mind. As you spend money throughout the month, you will keep a diary or journal of sorts where you track every single penny you spend.

At the end of the month, you can review your journal to see the progress you’ve made on your savings goals and if you stuck to your original targets. This reflection period can also help you adjust your monthly budget or behaviors as needed in the upcoming month.

History of Kakeibo

Kakeibo was invented in 1904 by Hani Motoko, who is often referred to as Japan’s first female journalist. She designed this system as a way to make a budget for beginners. Specifically, she was creating a budget system for homemakers to keep track of their household spending. The concept she designed is simple and gives people control over their budgets while helping them become more aware of their spending habits.

Properly Using Kakeibo

There are four important questions you can ask yourself in order to use this Japanese budgeting method properly.

How Much Money Do You Have to Spend?

First, it’s important to write down how much income you expect to come in. If you are a W2 employee, you can simply look at past paychecks to figure out how much you bring into your bank account after taxes in a month If you are self-employed or work variable hours, you can look at multiple months of past income to get a general idea of how much you earn.

How Much Would You Like to Save?

An important part of any budget that’s easy to forget is adding savings goals as a fixed expense. You can ask yourself how much you want to save each month and add it into your budget so you don’t accidentally spend that money.

If you’re wondering how much money to save each month, financial experts typically recommend 20% should go towards funding your savings goals. This is part of the popular 50/30/20 budget rule, which you’ll learn more about below.

How Much Money Are You Spending?

While it can be hard to nail down exactly what you spend in a month, you can start with the “needs” in life. What are the basic expenses of living? These include the essentials you need to survive, such as:

• Housing

• Food

• Basic clothing

• Utilities

• Healthcare

• Transportation for work and school

• Debt payments

As you watch your budget, kakeibo encourages you to see how your discretionary spending is evolving. For instance, you may realize that during the pandemic, you signed up for a variety of streaming services which you forgot about. You might opt to unsubscribe for one or more of them.

However, it also (as you will see from how expenses are categorized, below) encourages you to think about how to use your dollars to make your life more enjoyable.

How Can You Improve Next Month?

Any budget is a work in progress. A key element of the kakeibo method is journaling spending to encourage mindfulness. At the end of the month, you can look back at your spending to see where you can improve.

In this way, you become more intentional with your money. By getting granular with your understanding of your spending, you will better realize the impact of unplanned, impulsive or compulsive spending. And you will hopefully be better able to rein it in.

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Kakeibo’s Category System

The kakeibo method involves tracking spending in four different budget categories. Here’s how they stack up:

1. General

This category consists of essentials that you can’t cut from your budget like food, utilities, healthcare, rent, and transportation. Now, while it’s true these expenses can’t be cut entirely because they are necessities, they could be decreased if needed. You could look for ways to decrease your heating bill in winter, or even move to a smaller home or one in a less expensive neighborhood.

Recommended: How Much Should I Spend on Rent?

2. Wants

Wants are purchases someone enjoys like travel, clothing, and dining out, but that aren’t essentials. Sometimes, it’s easy to blur the lines between needs vs. wants and believe that discretionary expenses are musts. A few examples:

• Thinking you need your fancy takeout latte every morning when you really could have made a cup of joe at home for a fraction of the price.

• Saying you “had” to take an Uber when, if you’d woken up a bit earlier, you could have used public transportation.

• Insisting that you “must” buy new clothes every fall, even though you might have a closet full of wearable garments.

It can be helpful to do a little soul-searching as you categorize your spending to make sure you properly identify your purchases.

3. Culture

This unique budgeting method carves out space for cultural activities. These could include:

• Museum admission or membership

• Tickets to a concert, play, or dance performance

• Books

• Admission to a local garden or zoo

Thanks to this category, the kakeibo budgeting method can get you thinking about spending towards quality of life and valuable experiences, rather than just material goods.

4. Unexpected Extras

This category includes purchases that aren’t recurring and may come as a surprise. Some examples are:

• Birthday or holiday gifts

• Car repairs

• Unexpected medical bills

These kakeibo categories can help you get a clearer understanding of where your money is going. This can, in turn, make it easier to adjust spending habits and meet savings goals. While it can feel a bit tedious to write down every single purchase, doing so can help make spending become much more mindful.

How Kakeibo Is Different From Other Budgeting Methods

Each budgeting method puts its own spin on money management. The kakeibo method is different from other types of budgets because it focuses more on creating better spending habits than strictly sticking to a budget.

By making you aware of your spending in detail, you become better attuned to your money and more aware of how impulse spending can derail your budget.

Benefits of Kakeibo

Having a budget that illuminates your financial situation and helps you avoid overspending can be a key step in financial self-care. Kakeibo has helped many people with this. Some of the specific benefits associated with this method include:

• Makes spending more mindful

• Simplifies budgeting into four distinct categories

• Encourages realistic savings goals

• Emphasizes making slow but steady progress

• Celebrates small achievements.

Disadvantages of Kakeibo

There are also some disadvantages associated with kakeibo that some budgeters may find discouraging.

• Can be time-intensive

• Detailed record-keeping is required, which can be tedious to some people

• May not provide enough structure to motivate some

Who Is Kakeibo Suited for?

The kakeibo method is best suited for someone who wants a simple budgeting method, who needs to make their spending habits more mindful, and who wants to work towards savings goals.

It may also be best for people who don’t get impatient with record-keeping, as it does involve very detailed tracking of expenses.

Alternatives to Kakeibo

If you feel the kakeibo method isn’t the right budgeting system for you, consider one of these budgeting systems instead:

• Envelope budgeting method. This technique relies on budgeting out purchases for the month in cash envelopes labeled with each intended spending category. So you’d distribute your income into envelopes marked with things like food, clothing, etc. When you’ve spent the money allocated in a given envelope, that’s it; no more is available.

• The 50/30/20 rule. With this type of budget (briefly mentioned above), 50% of expenses go toward necessities, 30% goes toward lifestyle spending, and 20% goes toward saving for financial goals. There’s also a similar budgeting principle called the 70/20/10 rule for those who have higher living expenses.

• Zero-based budget. This budgeting method requires budgeting out every single dollar of income that comes in during a month. This doesn’t mean someone has to spend all of that money; it’s possible to allocate money towards a savings goal.

Banking With SoFi

The kakeibo method is a simple budgeting technique that can help consumers break bad spending habits and become more mindful with their money. It may not work for everyone, but it may be worth a try if you’re ready to devote time and energy towards spending less and saving more.

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FAQ

How do you do kakeibo?

The kakeibo budgeting method is fairly simple. All you have to do is write down all of the money you have coming in each month (income) and, as you spend it, record where it goes. This method involves tracking spending in four different spending categories: general, wants, culture, and unexpected extras.

Is there an app for kakeibo?

While it’s possible to manage a kakeibo budget with good old-fashioned paper and pen, some people might want to record their spending digitally. There are a variety of apps on the market designed to help people manage their kakeibo budget.

How do you make a kakeibo journal?

All you need to do to create a kakeibo journal is to grab an empty notebook you have on hand or buy an inexpensive one. There’s no need to get fancy here; a blank or lined notebook does the trick.

Photo credit: iStock/mphillips007

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

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Source: sofi.com

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