People make hard decisions all the time. May it be choosing between work and family bonding, travelling alone or with a group and borrowing money between banks or licensed money lenders.
When people decide, they are bound to make mistakes. But hey! It’s all right. What matters is you learn from it?
The same thing applies to your financial aspect. Lack of financial knowledge falls into a never-ending sinkhole.
Don’t feel down. Help yourself. Learn how to overcome top financial mistakes people make.
5 Most Common Financial Mistakes People Make
In this world, everybody encounters financial mistakes. Buying household stuff, you don’t actually need. Applying for a payday loan from a reputable moneylender like CashMart Singapore that your salary can’t cope with. Paying more than you should hurt your budget.
This is all avoidable, especially if you know the common financial mistakes people make. Better yet, avoid them. Know more about it as you read along.
No Emergency Fund
Having an emergency fund is your best fall back.
This is applicable when you lose your job or cutback in your income. An emergency fund is your getaway during a financial dilemma. It’s like backup money for your unforeseen expenses.
Sad to say, only some people believe in the virtue of emergency funds. Few keep $1,000 to $2,000 as emergency money, but it’s not enough. What would you do if your kid unexpectedly got sick?
Start saving for an emergency fund as early as now. Accumulate six months’ worth of your income. Utilize these funds for true emergencies. Your daily wants and needs are not included in this fund. If you get an increase in your paycheck, increase your emergency fund proportionately. With this, you can finally say you’re financially secured for emergency cases.
Saving for an emergency fund is one way to overcome top financial mistakes people make.
No Available Budget
A budget serves as your guide to keep you from spending money on unimportant things. It tracks your expenses and helps you realize where you spent your money.
Honestly, having a budget is really important in controlling your funds. You need to know where your money is going and plan in advance on how you’ll spend it.
Look for a budget that works for you. Financial experts suggest the 50/20/30 rule since it is flexible to fit in any situation. How does this rule work? Allocate your budget based on your paycheck.
- 50% for essential expenses (housing, transportation, utilities and groceries)
- 20% for financial priorities (retirement, savings and debt)
- 30% for lifestyle choices (gifts, travel, shopping and leisure)
Afterwards, track your spending. Make sure you stick with your budget. You can use pen and paper or the automated system. Choose any that works perfectly for you. You’ll love the end result. You can overcome these top financial mistakes people make.
No Diverse Portfolio
There’s nothing wrong with having a diverse portfolio.
Ideally, you should hold a variety of different types of investments. Having stocks, bonds and cash equivalents play an important part in your portfolio. Wanna know why?
As studies show, different types of investment are negatively correlated with each other. If some go down, others go up. Saves you from losing too much if you have a diverse portfolio. How?
If your stock investment is having really bad this year, your real estate investment makes up for it. It works the other way around as well. Imagine if you rely on a single investment and it goes down. It’s like you’re digging your own grave. Avoid this and overcome this financial mistake people make. Study how volatile the market is.
Doing It Alone
When money matters are involved, nobody should be alone.
Surround yourself with trusted people. Share your problem and find the right solution. You may choose your partner, parent and other family member or your closest friend. You may opt for professional help as a financial advisor. Why is it necessary?
Knowing that you’re doing the right thing with your money boosts your confidence. But if you do it alone, you make hasty decisions. Later on, you become irrational and emotional. Save yourself from this stress. Know the top financial mistakes people make and overcome it.
Lack of Knowledge about Credit Score
Credit score and credit report are two essential items that show how you handle your finances. It is a great factor that determines your financial eligibility.
Being ignorant of how it works is one of the top financial mistakes people make. Big purchases become difficult if you have a low credit score. You’ll have to put on hold your car and house procurement.
No worries. You can still overcome this financial trouble. Develop good tactics and become it a habit. Simply pay your credit cards and other debt payments on time. Utilize only 10% to 30% of your available credit. Track your credit score and credit report three times a year.
Now that you know these financial mistakes. Find ways to avoid them. Keep yourself on the road to financial success and stability.
Recovering Tips for Top Financial Mistake People Make
Being educated and prepared will help you take the right path. However, you’ll still fall and make mistakes. When this time comes, don’t crumble rather pick up the pieces and make things whole again.
Do the same thing with your financial issues. Minimize the damage and recover from that financial mistake.
Don’t Panic
During a financial setback, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Take time to breathe. Divert your attention. Watch a movie, eat a good meal or take a good sleep. Once you’re done, you’ll feel rejuvenated and increased in perspective. You’ll never run out of ideas on how to recover on top financial mistakes people make.
Evaluate Options
Not all situations are reversible. The financial mistakes done cannot be undone. What you can do is to make the best of your situation. Focus on long-term goals instead. Write down the list of financial options available to you. Be smart and avoid making rash decisions.
Learn From The Mistakes
When a problem occurs, don’t dwell on it too much, instead figure out what you did wrong. How did you end up buying an overpriced bag? What are the preventive measures from doing it again? As much as possible don’t beat yourself up. Learn from your mistakes. Do your best to never do it again.
Financial recovery is faster once you acknowledge your own mistake. Financial solutions follow afterwards. From this, you get back on your feet in no time.
Partner up with trusted and reputable financial advisors. You may pay up a fee for now but the returns will be above the amount over the years. Your advisor guides you during bad years. Helps you mitigate your losses and preserve your funds for the long haul. What matters is that you recover and overcome from the top financial mistakes people make.
