Category: Adulting

Money is an important aspect of our daily life.

It is critical to have a basic understanding of finance in order to make sound financial decisions. Budgeting and investing can be difficult to understand due of their complexities. Continue reading to discover more about how to attain financial success and control, whether you’re just starting out in your profession or want to enhance your financial literacy.

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

1. Begin with the fundamentals

Before moving into sophisticated financial topics, it is critical to comprehend the fundamentals of finance. This covers budgeting, saving, and debt management. We have some finance articles, and you can check the internet also for resources with videos and podcasts, that can help you in learning these foundations.

2. Read books on finance

Reading finance books is one of the finest ways to learn about the subject. There are numerous good books on personal finance, investment, and wealth creation that can assist you in developing a firm foundation of knowledge.

Some great options include:

“The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham

“The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

3. Take an online course

If you want a more structured approach to learning about finance, consider taking an online course. There are numerous high-quality online courses available from budgeting to investing. Top popular options include from Coursera, and Khan Academy.

4. Attend financial workshops or seminars

Attending financial workshops or seminars is a great method to learn from industry experts. Search for local events or online lectures on issues that interest you, such as retirement planning or credit development.

Educating yourself in the fundamentals of finance is about more than simply making wise financial decisions. It is about arming yourself with the information and abilities you need to take charge of your financial destiny. Take the first step today and begin your road to financial independence.

If you’ve made a large financial mess in your adulting adventure, facing the realities of debt might be overwhelming. SPayLater, credit card debt, or personal loans, for example, can all have a detrimental impact on your financial well-being and future plans. You can pay off your debts and reach debt-free status if you use the appropriate strategies and mindset we compiled.

1. Accept accountability for your debt

The key to getting out of debt is to accept responsibility for it. Begin by establishing a list of everything you owe, including the amount, interest rate, and minimum payment. This will help you comprehend your debt and plan a repayment strategy.

2. Prioritize your debts

Focus on paying off your most expensive debt first. That’s the one with the highest interest rate. Keep paying the minimum amount on your other debts but put as much extra money as you can toward the high-interest debt. When that one’s gone, move on to the next most expensive debt.

3. Set up a budget

You need a strategy if you want to pay off your debt. You can manage your finances and track where your money is going by creating a budget. Note your monthly income and outgoing spending in writing. After that, choose which debts to pay off first and utilize the remaining funds to cover your living expenses. Avoid going overboard with your spending and try to stay to your budget.

4. Consider debt consolidation

If you have a lot of debt with high interest rates, think about debt consolidation. This is taking out a sizable loan to pay off all of your debts so that you will just have to make one larger loan payment with a lower interest rate. Long-term savings and easier payment management are both possible with it. Just be sure to do some preliminary cost and interest rate comparisons.

5. Increase your earnings

If you’re having trouble making your debt payments with your existing salary, think about strategies to boost your income. Taking up a part-time job, freelancing, or selling stuff you no longer need are all examples of this. Raising your income can assist you in paying off your obligations more quickly and being debt-free sooner.

6. Stay clear from new debt

It is critical to avoid incurring additional debt in order to achieve debt freedom. This implies that you should avoid using credit cards unless you can pay them off in full each month, and you should avoid taking out additional loans unless absolutely essential. Prior to incurring new debt, prioritize the repayment of existing debt.

Paying off debt can be difficult to deal with, but it’s not impossible. Becoming debt-free requires discipline, patience, and a plan. Don’t be afraid to seek help from financial experts or loved ones along the way. You can pay off your debts and pave the way for a brighter financial future. Start taking action today and take the first step towards becoming debt-free!

In these uncertain times, having an emergency fund is more important than ever. An emergency fund is a money set aside for unexpected expenses such as job loss, medical bills, or unexpected events in life. Starting an emergency fund can provide you with peace of mind and financial security. We compiled ways on how to start building your emergency fund:

1. Calculate Your Monthly Expenses

The first step in putting together an emergency fund is determining your monthly expenses. Rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other regular expenses should be included. After calculating your monthly expenses, aim to save at least 3 months’ worth of living expenses (realistically since we are living in the Philippines). This will ensure that you have sufficient funds to meet your basic needs in the event of an emergency.

2. Make an emergency fund goal

Set aside some money for an emergency fund once you’ve determined your monthly expenses. This is based on your income and expenses, and it should be attainable and realistic. Begin by putting aside a small sum each month and slowly increasing it over time.

3. Open a separate emergency fund account

It is critical to open a separate account for your emergency fund to ensure that it is not mixed in with your other savings or expenses. You can check digital banks like Seabank and Maya that offers high interest rate and easy access to your money.

4. Try to automate your savings

Saving automatically is an easy strategy for creating your emergency fund or any other savings goal. Set up a monthly automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account to ensure that a percentage of your salary is saved saves you time and effort. Currently, UnionBank and BPI are the only banks in the country that provide this service.

5. Avoid from dipping into your emergency fund

Once you’ve built up your emergency fund, avoid the temptation to dip into it for unnecessary expenses. Keep in mind that your emergency fund is is meant to provide a safety net in the event of unforeseen expenses or income loss. If ever that you have to utilize your emergency fund, rebuild it as quickly as possible.

Building an emergency fund is a big part of adulting and securing your financial future. Saving money isn’t all about giving up things you like, it’s also about planning for your future success. With a bit of self-control and determination, you can have financial peace of mind. Start building your emergency fund now to take control of your financial destiny and reach financial security. Let’s do this!