Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by admin
The deposit of your first paycheck is a special moment, the one worth celebrating. Is financial planning on your mind when you’re tempted to blow it all? To help you, we’ve put together some money-saving advice for those who have just started their first job.
You may face new financial obligations and duties when you get your first paid job. We understand that saving money after paying the rent and all of the other monthly expenditures is challenging. Young people who live on a month’s pay have a hard time conserving money. It may seem like your paycheck evaporates as soon as it reaches your bank account. Investing and saving money doesn’t have to be complicated and here are 5 simple ways to do it.
Table of Contents
1. Build an emergency savings fund
The need for an emergency fund cannot be overstated. Think of it as a cushion for the inevitable bumps in the road, one that will save you from adding to the burden of debt you currently bear.
Calculate your monthly expenses as a starting point. Most of your money will be spent on rent, food, and transportation. Once you have figured up your monthly spending, multiply that figure by 3. Your first aim will be to reach that amount to build an emergency savings fund. Your 3-month goal requires that you begin saving money now.
You’ll be prepared to deal with unexpected financial difficulties if you have an emergency fund. As your income rises, you may gradually raise your contribution to this fund. These may be in the form of short-term savings accounts, fixed deposits, or even liquid debt mutual funds.
2. Budget your income
Budgeting, the foundation of sound financial management, may help you meet a variety of short- and long-term financial objectives while also ensuring that you don’t skimp on the things you really need.
Make all of your financial decisions based on your actual take-home pay after taxes and other deductions. The first step is to figure out how much you spend on necessities like rent, food, transportation and utility bills (electricity, internet, or EMIs, etc.) and then adhere to your budget.
What is leftover is what you should be saving as soon as you are paid. You must save money before you spend it, not the other way around. In a perfect world, you’d spend half of your money on needs, 15% on discretionary expenditures, and 35% on savings.
3. Prioritize repayment of student loans and other debts
Student loan repayments often begin within 3 to 6 months after graduation. Take advantage of the period between now and when the payments are due to begin planning ahead. Once you know the minimum payment amount, add it to your monthly budget.
These loans will have minimal interest if you pay them off sooner rather than later. Your credit score might be severely impacted if you miss a payment. You may want to consider setting up automatic electronic payments from your bank account if your bank provides this option. Enable recurring banking notifications to remind you when a bill is due.
4. Start early for retirement
Retirement might feel like an interminable distance away if you’re a young professional just starting out in the workforce. Don’t wait to start investing just because you still have 40 or more years till retirement. Even if you don’t make a lot of money at the beginning of your career, you do have one advantage over wealthier, more experienced colleagues: time.
The notion of saving for retirement becomes a lot more fun and thrilling when you have a lot of time. Even if you’re still paying off your student loans, saving even a tiny sum for retirement might have a significant impact on your financial security in the future.
5. Plan for passive income
Whether you’re working a second job or simply looking for a little more money each month, generating passive income may be a wonderful method to supplement your income. In good times, passive income may help you generate more money, and in bad times, it can keep you afloat if you lose your job or take time off.
You may now choose from one of the following possibilities for making money in the long run:
- Invest in Stock Market
- Invest in Real Estate
- Rent out your house
- Rent out useful items
- Start a youtube channel/Blog
That’s a Wrap
These 5 ways can help you create healthy habits that may lead you toward financial independence in whatever form that may take, so long as it’s a route that you’re willing to take.
The first step is first. You may open a variety of accounts based on the bank you choose. With the advent of digital savings accounts, keeping track of your money has never been simpler. There are several advantages to creating a zero balance digital savings account over a traditional bank account, including paperless transactions, speed, and security.