Your 20’s are a time for enjoying the freedoms that life has to offer. It’s a time when most people have very little commitments and less stress in general. However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that their 20’s is a critical time for planning for the future.
But with a little bit of foresight and planning ahead, you can set yourself up for a successful financial future. Take a look at some of the most important money mistakes that you should look out for in your 20’s.
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Using Money To Fill A Void
When you start to attach money to emotions, it can start to create problems. Rather than rewarding yourself with purchases, try to avoid mixing money with your feelings. That means never going shopping or making a big purchase as a way of “rewarding” a bad mood or depression.
Try to avoid purchasing anything at all when you’re feeling down. Statistics show that people are much more likely to make financial decisions they regret later when they buy something under emotional distress.
Save your money for a time when you’re feeling happier, and you’ll thank yourself for it later.
Not Saving
Emergency savings is something that everyone should have regardless of their age. It can significantly help you down the line if something bad happens. Whether you find yourself suddenly unemployed or have to make repairs on your car, emergency savings is there to make sure you’re okay.
Start putting savings away during these younger years to prepare yourself for your later years. You’ll thank yourself for starting to save early! Experts recommend having at least a few months worth of salary set aside for the most amount of protection.
Moving Out Of Your Parents Prematurely
Even though you might want to move out as soon as you can, your independence may not be as great as you imagine it is. The truth is that along with the freedom of moving out also comes a lot of financial responsibility.
Stay with your parents as long as you can so that you can use it as an opportunity to save. Unless your parents are dying to get you out on your own, take advantage of the chance of not having to pay rent!
Not Setting Goals
Any time that you set out to succeed in life, it helps to have financial goals. If you can manage to sit down and map out what you’d like to achieve in your life, then do it! A five-year plan helps you stay on track and reach the kind of financial success that you’d like to one day achieve. Lack of planning can leave you scrambling and wondering what to do.
