Life is unpredictable and holds so many surprises, as and when we move forward. Whether it’s an occasion or any project, we tend to plan to cater to several works to achieve the best result. Prior planning for anything makes life easier. Future is just like an unread book; you never know what each chapter beholds. Similarly, we save money because we cannot predict the future. Savings are an asset, safety, and financial security in the time of needs.
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So why save?
If it still hasn’t been clear, here are a few reasons that can compel us to think, actually for savings for a better future.
- Higher education
- Average life expectancy
- Post Retirement life
- Emergencies
- Helps in vacation financing
- Wedding Financing
Without any money as saving in the backup might put you in debts. For example, without saving, it can be a nightmare to live a life after retirement, because it gets difficult to get a loan after a certain age. Even if you get it, it will mean that you are getting into more of your liabilities in the form of paying off your debts.
Research shows that 65% save little or nothing, and 50% of the population and up are struggling at the time of retirement. On average people in America have less than $5000 in their account. Henceforth, only 20% of Americans save money.
Hence, it is crucial for saving for today and tomorrow. Tomorrow is NOT another day. To make your tomorrow better, get your acts together today. Many people do not think about their post-retirement life, in which they will have to live in the absence of their paychecks.
Here are a few tips for you to save in your best interest while you are spending:
1. Trim your grocery bills
If you want to save on your food and still want to eat well-cooked, eat homemade items. Challenge yourself with the cut down in monthly dining experiences and buying calculated grocery items to eat the best of homemade food to your liking. Dinners could be a big dent in the budget as well as your pocket. One man can easily challenge to cover the whole week with the budgeted lunch and dinners cooked to a best of taste and health-oriented items.
Before you are heading out to your grocery store, plan your weeks’ meals, and prepare a list of the items you need to buy. You must stick to the list and refrain from any impulsive buying behavior.
2. Take advantage of online deals
It is challenging to reduce the entertainment and leisure cost when you feel that you do not have much connection with the world and have confined to your safe place. You can find fantastic deals and offers available online through Amazon or Group-on. These deals are worthwhile only and if you buy the correct ones which you will use. Henceforth you need to be watchful in what you are ordering through the app online.
3. Switch to cash
Switching away from your payments only by hard cash would mean that you will be restricted and will spend what you have in your pocket. It always helps in saving when you give yourself a hard limit. This way, you will be much more alert of what you are spending even if it means you have to put some of your grocery items back.
4. Get rid of your debts
Not paying off your debts at the correct time means that you are ending up paying the high-interest debt. Credit cards and other payment option cards can put a high toll on your pocket, unnecessarily charging high amount of interest leaving your loan the amount standing still or just reducing minutely. It is very imperative to keep track of your credit cards and pay off your debts as early as possible, for you to make an additional amount of money available to make your both ends meet. There are various firms available to advise you about your debt payments and financial management by personalized best financial advisors. It would help you manage your savings in the long run.
5. Savings plan
The very first thing you need to do after your budgeting is to ‘plan’ out on your savings. There are various savings options that you could choose to save at least 10 to 15 percent of your monthly income. If you are unable to do so, this means that it is time to take a break, have a deep breath, and cut down on your expenses. Most importantly cut down on the things that are non-essentials such as entertainment and dining out as well as saving considering as your monthly liability.
6. Invest and forget
If you are planning to do some savings, it is better to review your finances and check the current condition of your financial standing.
Ask yourself a few of the questions listed below:
- Are you on the right path towards your financial goals of the year 2020?
- What are the areas that require more of your attention?
- What will be your year-end tax return?
- Are you ready for retirement?
After reviewing your financial standing, explore the many savings options available. For your short-term goals, you can use two methods:
- Savings account
- Fixed certificates of deposit
And as for the long-term goals, one can put their money into security such as mutual funds, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. All these investment opportunities are available through a dealer, or if you are smart enough, you would be able to take care of them yourself.
This type of long-term investments ought to be adequately analyzed as they hold some risk factor, along with the possible fluctuation in the market price.
Although, the list is never-ending, the main road to a successful saving plan while you ought to spend is just your own ‘mindset.’ If you intend and have the will power to stick to your decision to safeguard your future, nothing can hinder your goals ever.
Featured image source: Freepik
