5 Essential Financial Tips Every Young Adult Should Know

As we move into our twenties and early 30s, it can be tempting to do whatever we want without worrying about the future.

But this is not always realistic – especially if you want to get ahead in life.

That’s why we recommend thinking about your financial future and learning about budgeting, saving, investing, and other important financial concepts.

In this guide, we share five quick tips for young adults that will help you stay on track financially.

Let’s dive in!

Learn how to budget

Budgeting is one of the many financial tips every young adult should know.

A budget serves as an essential tool for managing your money and staying on track with your financial goals.

To get started with budgeting, create a list of all your monthly expenses to help you understand where your money is going.

Only then can you set limits on how much you will spend each month.

You can then take count of all things that are really worth spending on.

You may be surprised at how many things in your life are not really necessary.

Finally, create specific budgets for different areas of your life – like groceries, housing, and transportation.

Figuring out each expense will help keep everything in check.

Take out life insurance

Planning for your future is important, and one of the best ways to do that is by taking out life insurance from a company like Caspian Insurance.

Some policies like income protection and critical illness cover are designed to provide financial security in case you are unable to work due to an illness or injury.

Others like Whole of Life cover help shield your loved ones should something happen to you.

When taking out life insurance, make sure the policy you choose is appropriate for your needs.

You don’t want to overspend on coverage or end up with a policy that won’t be worth the money in the event of your death.

Second, be sure to understand what is covered by your policy.

For example, will funeral costs be covered?

Are your children covered?

Third, review the premiums and decide if you can afford them.

The cost of a life insurance policy can vary significantly from one provider to the other based on factors like your age and health history.

Overall, buying life insurance is a critical step for any young adult.

It can provide much-needed peace of mind in tough times and help relieve some of the financial burden your loved ones may experience after you pass away.

Find a way to clear debts

When you start working and making money, the temptation to spend it all comes fast.

Unfortunately, that’s how debts get started – with small amounts added up over time.

Find a plan.

The first thing to do is to set a goal in mind for paying off your debt.

For example, when you have a monthly payment plan set up, it helps to keep your overall expenses down because you are not as likely to impulse buy or overspend when there is a pay-off deadline looming.

Additionally, if you can, try and consolidate your debt into one loan instead of individual loans.

Doing this will reduce the amount of interest that you’re paying overall.

If your income does not allow you to pay off your debts as quickly as you would like, there are still some measures you can take to make them more manageable.

The absolute best strategy here is to try and live within your means.

Set up an emergency fund

It’s never too early or too late to start saving for a rainy day.

And given the current economy and the looming recession, it’s important to have an emergency fund in case of a job loss or unexpected expense.

Start with a target amount that’s large enough to cover 3-6 months’ expenses but not so large that you feel paralyzed if something unexpected happens.

Don’t use your emergency fund to cover everyday expenses.

Save it for unplanned outlays such as car repair or medical emergencies.

Finally, finding a financial institution that offers attractively high savings rates is crucial for maximizing your unused funds.

A good example is the high yield savings account from Western Alliance bank, which can significantly boost your savings through higher interest rates as compared to traditional banks.

This option might be especially appealing if you’re aiming to grow your emergency fund more effectively and outpace inflation over time.

You can also look into online savings accounts, which offer higher rates of return than traditional banks but without the associated fees.

Don’t be afraid to rent

The biggest financial mistake you can make is to let your fear of not being able to afford a home keep you from renting.

According to a study by NerdWallet, renting costs 38 percent less than owning a home.

That’s especially helpful if you’re still in your early twenties and haven’t saved enough money for a down payment.

Plus, renting gives you more flexibility in terms of where you live.

You can move if you find a better deal or an apartment with more features that meets your needs.

Another advantage to renting is that it allows you to experiment with different apartments before committing to one.

This can help you save money on your home search and avoid making a purchase impulsively.

Conclusion

There are a lot of important things every young adult should know, and financial planning is up there among them.

After all, what good is having money if you can’t do anything with it?

So go ahead and implement the important tips we just shared here; we bet they’ll go a long way in helping you achieve healthy financial stability during this exciting period of your life!

Amber & The Team

Co-authors at ShineSheets.com

"We love to research problems, examine studies, analyze solutions, and share with you ideas that make life healthier. You can learn about us and our editorial standards here. Have suggestions or feedback to share? Send us a message!."