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Personal finance is a term that covers managing your money and retirement planning, and tax and estate planning. It often refers to the entire industry that provides financial services to individuals and households and advises them about financial and investment opportunities. Personal finance is about meeting personal financial goals, whether it’s having enough for short-term financial needs, planning for retirement, or saving for your child's college education.

 

But to make the most of your income and savings it's important to become financially literate, so you can distinguish between good and bad advice and make savvy decisions. Key Takeaways Few schools have courses in how to manage your money, so it is important to learn the basics through free online articles, courses, and blogs; podcasts; or at the library.Smart personal finance involves developing strategies that include budgeting, creating an emergency fund, paying off debt, using credit cards wisely, saving for retirement, and more.Being disciplined is important, but it's also good to know when to break the rules—for example, young adults who are told to invest 10% to 20% of their income for retirement may need to take some of those funds to buy a home or pay off debt instead.

The 50/30/20 budgeting method offers a great framework. It breaks down like this: 50% of your , groceries, and transport30% is allocated to lifestyle expenses, such as dining out and shopping for clothes.20% goes towards the future: paying down debt and saving both for retirement and for emergencies It’s never been easier to manage money, thanks to a growing number of personal budgeting apps for smartphones that put day-to-day finances in the palm of your hand.

 

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It automatically updates and categorizes your financial data as info comes in, so you always know where you stand financially. The app will even dish out custom tips and advice. It’s important to “pay yourself first” to ensure money is set aside for unexpected expenses such as medical bills, a big car repair, rent if you get laid off, and more.

 

Financial experts generally recommend putting away 20% of each paycheck every month (which of course, you’ve already budgeted for!). Once you’ve filled up your “rainy day” fund (for emergencies or sudden unemployment), don’t stop. Continue funneling the monthly 20% towards other financial goals such as a retirement fund. It sounds simple enough: To keep debt from getting out of hand, don’t spend more than you earn.

Credit cards can be credit rating, but they’re also a great way to track spending, which can be a big budgeting aid. Credit just needs to be managed correctly, which means the balance should ideally be paid off every month, or at least be kept at a credit score is to constantly pay bills late—or even worse, miss payments.

 

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5.) Using a debit card is another way to ensure you will not be paying for accumulated small purchases over an extended period—with interest. Credit cards are the main vehicle through which your credit score is built and maintained, so watching credit spending goes hand in hand with monitoring your credit score.

 

Here's one rough way to look at it: 720 = good credit650 = average credit600 or less = poor credit To pay bills, set up direct debiting where possible (so you never miss a payment) and subscribe to reporting agencies that provide regular credit score updates. By monitoring your report, you will be able to detect and address mistakes or fraudulent activity.

Some credit card providers, such as Capital One, will provide customers with complimentary, regular credit score updates, too. To protect the assets in your estate and ensure that your wishes are followed when you die, be sure you make a will and—depending on your needs—possibly set up one or more trusts.

 

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And be sure to periodically review your policy to make sure it meets your family's needs through life's major milestones. Other critical documents include a healthcare power of attorney. While not all these documents directly affect you, all of them can save your next-of-kin considerable time and expense when you fall ill or become otherwise incapacitated.

 

There are myriad of loan-repayment plans and payment reduction strategies available to graduates. If you’re stuck with a high-interest rate, paying off the Graduated repayment—progressively increases the monthly payment over 10 yearsExtended repayment—stretches the loan out over a period that can be as long as 25 years Retirement may seem like a lifetime away, but it arrives much sooner than you’d expect.

The younger you start, the more you benefit from what advisors like to call the magic ofRoth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k), if your company offers both. Investing is only one part of planning for retirement. Other strategies include waiting as long as possible before opting to receive Social Security benefits (which is smart for most people), and converting a term life insurance policy to a permanent life one.

 

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Make sure you reward yourself now and then. Whether it's a vacation, purchase, or an occasional night on the town, you need to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Doing so gives you a taste of the financial independence you're working so hard for. Last but not least, don't forget to delegate when needed.

 

Three key character traits can help you avoid innumerable mistakes in managing your personal finances: discipline, a sense of timing, and emotional detachment. Once you've established some fundamental procedures, you can start thinking about philosophy. The key to getting your finances on the right track isn't about learning a new set of skills.

The three key principles are prioritization, assessment, and restraint. Prioritizing means that you're able to look at your finances, discern what keeps the money flowing in, and make sure you stay focused on those efforts. Assessment is the key skill that keeps professionals from spreading themselves too thin. Ambitious individuals always have a list of ideas about other ways they can hit it big, whether it is a side business or an investment idea.

 

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Restraint is that final big-picture skill of successful business management that must be applied to personal finances. Time and time again, financial planners sit down with successful people who somehow still manage to spend more than they make. Earning $250,000 per year won't do you much good if you spend $275,000 annually.

 

Few schools offer courses in managing your money, which means most of us will need to get our personal finance education from our parents (if we’re lucky) or pick it up ourselves. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend much money to find out how to better manage it.

Almost all media publications regularly dole out personal finance advice, too. A great way to start learning about personal finance is to read personal finance blogs. Instead of the general advice, you’ll get in personal finance articles, you’ll learn exactly what challenges real people are facing and how they are addressing those challenges.