Money management is a skill that many people don’t have a full grasp on. As a Millennial, it’s so important for you to become intentional about the way you manage your money. In many cases, people aren’t properly taught how to make the right purchases and investments to make their money grow. If you’re looking to improve your financial life, consider these three tips to get started.
1. Pay your bills on time.
Whether it’s a credit card bill, cell phone bill or a magazine subscription bill, pay everything on time. When you’re late on your bills, this ends up directly impacting your credit score. If you have bills in collections, pay those off so that you can stay on top of everything. If you don’t have a good credit score, it’ll be really hard for you to get an apartment, a car or a home. This is a habit you can stay on top of and it will serve you well throughout your life.
2. Save for purchases and emergencies.
You have control over what your budget looks like. You decide how much you want to put towards savings accounts and other monthly expenses. However, look at your lifestyle and your bills. If you need to eliminate certain expenses so that you can have more financial margin, this is a wise idea. If an emergency arises, it’s always good to have at least $1,000 in a separate emergency fund. This is money that you won’t touch under any other circumstances. If you know that you’d like to go on vacation next summer, start saving for the vacation now. If you know that you’d like to enjoy the movies with your friends two times during the month, put that money away in your entertainment fund.
3. Invest your money.
Actively invest your money. Don’t get used to always trading your hours for dollars. In fact, it’s good to start investing as soon as you can. Do your research. Begin reading investment books. Listen to investment podcasts, and reach out to Investment Companies Montana. When you’re able to get a well-rounded, balanced investment education, you’ll be able to confidently invest and increase your financial portfolio.
