Personal Finance 101: 5 Reasons for Building a Strong Financial Foundation is a Must
By Radhika Sundarka
Let’s converse about something so influential that all our lives revolve around it – money! One must realise the fact that money is one of the most crucial ingredients necessary for a good life. The sooner, the better. Moving away from unrealistic fairy tales and utopic representations where money is sidelined as a not-so-essential factor, let’s focus on the hard and unmissable ground reality. A mere glance is enough to surmise that money, indeed, matters; and in many cases it matters most.
With money playing such an ultra-important role in shaping our lives, it is imperative that we learn how to manage it. From your earnings, to your expenses and savings, managing your finances goes a long way in helping you overcome whatever challenges life throws at you. Think of it in these terms: Mastering personal finance is like unlocking real-world superpowers.
Let us now deep-dive into the very brass tacks of personal finance to help you build a strong and solid money game plan. So, what do we mean by the phrase, ‘personal finance’? It is both an art and science. It is all about handling your money game as per the rule book – income, expenses, savings, investments, and debts; all must be dealt in the right way. It’s about making wise and calculated moves in budgeting, saving, investing, and planning so that you can realise your long-cherished financial aspirations money. Now, building a rock-solid financial base is no walk in the park. You needs the right combination of smartness, discipline, and strategies that can help you thrive even in the face of adversity.
Here are some time-tested techniques that can help you master the game of money management:
- Budgeting and Keeping Tabs on Expenses: Budgeting is like placing a GPS device on your money so that you know where it goes. By tracking what you earn and spend, you can easily ensure that your expenses and savings are in tandem with your overall financial objectives. It helps you arrive at those treasured moments of clarity which allow you to identify and cut down on unwanted expenses, thus, boosting your savings game.
- Emergency Fund and playing it Safe with Insurance: Life has a habit for throwing curveballs, right? That’s where your emergency fund swoops in – a strategic stash for unexpected twists like a sudden expense or a job bump. And hey, insurance serves like a superhero cape for your finances, protecting you from unexpected hits.
- Handling Debts: Debt – the not-so-friendly neighborhood villain. Crush high-interest debts first and be the hero paying them off. Know your loan terms – the interest rates and when you need to settle the score. No one wants to be drowning in debt, right?
- Saving and Investing – Growing that Money Tree: Picture this – your money growing wings! Regular saving is your ticket to financial stability. Set goals – could be a vacation, further studies, or a cozy home. Now, investing – it’s like planting money seeds that turn into money trees.
- Retirement Dreams – Future You Says Thanks: Retirement might seem lightyears away at present, but starting early is like giving your future self a high-five. Check out retirement savings plans – it’s like stashing treasure away. Your job might even toss in some extra coins for you. You can choose from a variety of retirement plans, one that fits you best. Do not hesitate in seeking the advice of experts in case you feel cornered or confused.
Conclusion
Getting a grip on your money is your passport to a better life. Get cozy with budgeting, befriend that emergency fund, slay those debts, save like a superhero, and plan that dream retirement. So, go on – be the financial champion you were always meant to be!
(The author is Radhika Sundarka, Co-founder of Zebralearn, and the views expressed in this article are her own)
