15 Steps to Building Wealth, Even In A Recession
These money management tips can help you make the most of your earnings and build a solid financial foundation for your future, no matter what is going on in the market!
Money Management 101
First you must understand your paycheck, including:
- Your pre-tax pay
- Federal and state income taxes
- Medicare and social security deductions
- Any health insurance payments
- Retirement contributions/withdrawals
- Any other deductions that your employer may take depending on where you work and the setup
- Post-tax pay
- Any post-tax deductions
Knowing how much you get paid and where your money is going before you receive your paycheck is the first step to successful money management.
Before You Get Paid
These are some important steps to take and things to consider regarding your paycheck before you even get it.
1 – Set Up Direct Deposit
This way, you never lose a check or forget to deposit one.
2 – Match Your Employer’s Retirement Contribution
If your employer has a “match,” meaning whatever you contribute, they match that same amount, then do it and maximize the contribution.
For instance, if they match up to $500 a month into a retirement account, then you should contribute the full $500. This way, you get $1000 per month put into retirement. The $500 from your employer is essentially free money, so don’t let it go!
Keep in mind many employer matching programs require that you work a certain number of years until you are “vested.” Once you are vested, you can keep the employer’s contribution into your account. If you change jobs before that vestment period, then you will not keep the employer’s contribution (you can keep your own).
If your employer doesn’t do a match, that’s ok, be sure to just put away the maximum they say you can. Remember, this is pre-tax money, so you will not be “losing” on your paycheck. You’ll be saving money on taxes and paying your future self!
3 – Other Pre-Tax Accounts to Invest
Look for other pre-tax accounts, such as the 403b, 457b, or a Health Savings Account. Even if you can’t make it up to the maximum amount, every little bit counts and will pay off in the future.
Remember: The earlier you start, the less you need to contribute, thanks to compounding interest. The most important thing is to start.
4 – Contribute To An IRA
If there are no other options through your work, you can consider opening an IRA- an individual retirement account. This can be traditional or a Roth. A traditional IRA is pre-tax, and if you are below a certain income level, you will likely get a tax refund because of it.
A Roth is a post-tax account. To get the tax break or to contribute to a Roth, both require that you are below a maximum annual earnings level. If you call a company that handles these accounts and speak to them about it, they can give you more information.
5 – Understand Your Coverage
Hopefully, your job gives you health insurance, dental and vision coverage. Understand your options and choose what’s best for you and your family. Premiums can vary widely, so a bit of due diligence can go a long way.
If dissatisfied with your initial choice, you can change your coverage allocation once a year in October during open enrollment.
This expense is usually taken out of your paycheck before you are paid. So keep an eye out for that line item on your pay stub.
Once You Get Your Paycheck
Once you’ve taken care of your pre-paycheck items, next you have to leverage what lands in your bank account.
6 – Understand Your Expenses
Just because you get your first paycheck doesn’t mean that it will last forever.
One of the most important money management tips is to determine your monthly take-home pay. Then, make a list of the things that you have to pay for – the necessities, for instance:
- Groceries
- Gas (if you own a vehicle)
- Commuting costs (if you ride a bus, taxi, or Uber)
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities/Cable/Internet
- Childcare
Your take-home pay minus your necessities is what you have left over for everything else. If your costs are high, take the time to reduce expenses where possible.
When it comes to spending for fun, everyone has different priorities; the important thing to remember is to not compare yourself to others. However you decide to save, or wherever you spend your money, should be a very personal decision.
7 – Build An Emergency Fund
Anything can happen at any time, and you need to be prepared for it.
Having an emergency fund to help offset these costs is a great way to prevent yourself from accumulating debt. To build your fund, you should aim to set aside up to 3-6 months of expenses. Keep this money in a separate savings account, not to be touched, except for in actual emergency situations.
8 – Create A Debt Repayment Plan
You’re going to have to pay off your student loans, and other debt at some point; getting started or increasing your payments with your new paycheck is a great way to start reducing the burden.
The good news? There are more debt repayment strategies today than ever to help you manage and repay your student loans. Here are some of the ways to do that:
- You can refinance and consolidate your loans into one monthly payment with a new servicer so that you get a lower interest rate or adjust your loan term to save money over the life of the loan.
- Ask your HR department if they offer a refinancing program through partnerships with lenders. Many employers now provide loan payback programs as a benefit, just like health insurance, 401Ks, or paid time off.
- Depending on your income level, you may qualify for an income-based repayment program
These are just a few places to get started. The route you decide to take is completely up to you. Just be sure you have a plan and stick to it.
9 – Start Investing
You don’t need to hire a financial planner or have a lot of money to get started. A little bit invested each month can go a long way toward building your portfolio. Give yourself time to learn about some investment basics, and talk to people you know who may be doing this.
An easy way to get started is to look into index funds. These mimic an Index, like the S&P 500, and are generally low risk. Find some mutual funds or ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and plan to automatically debit your account each month. The amount is up to you; the most important thing is that you start doing this early. As you make more or come to learn more, you can diversify and take more risks.
Again, the earlier you start, the better able you are to take advantage of compound interest and give yourself an exponentially higher amount of savings in the future.
10 – Delay Large Purchases
This is a key money management tip, especially when you first start your job. Getting used to the rhythm of your new workplace, making sense of your paycheck, and realizing how much you’re taking home can take some time. This is particularly true if you have moved to a new city. Give yourself a few months to settle in, and understand where your money is coming from and going.
11 – Protect Yourself As Needed
Depending on your field of work, you may require insurance. For instance, in healthcare, it’s recommended that everyone have disability insurance. You may also consider life insurance if you have a family or dependents.
There are many companies out there that offer insurance plans that you may need. Shop around and compare prices to get the best deal (often, if you pay upfront for the year, you’ll get a reduced rate). Purchasing this when you’re young is also better than waiting, as you’ll get locked into significantly lower rates.
General Money Management Tips
12 – Don’t Hire A Financial Planner
It takes a few minutes a day, or a dedicated few hours per month (if even that), to understand and figure out what to do with your finances. Financial advisors and planners often don’t have their interests aligned with yours. As a result, they may give advice that helps in the future but hurts you today, which doesn’t need to happen.
Instead, look for finance blogs, and talk to representatives at companies like Vanguard or Fidelity, who will be more than happy to walk you through their process and tell you what services are available. Speak to people you know regarding how and where to invest. There’s a ton of information out there, and some of the best advice will come from those who aren’t financial advisors.
13 – Avoid Credit Card Debt
If at all possible, avoid credit card debt. Pay your credit cards in full each month. The interest payments on these cards are sky-high, and you’ll end up digging a hole for yourself if you carry a balance.
If you find paying off cards difficult, it’s time to re-evaluate. Either you need to cut back expenses, or perhaps you need to abstain from using a card to begin with.
14 – Learn Your Financial Priorities
There is no such thing as keeping up with the Jones’s. They don’t exist, and it’s just not possible.
When it comes to recreational spending, know yourself. What makes you happy? What makes your life easier? What adds value to your life? Your money should go to these areas. Your neighbor may love cars and get a new one every year; however, if you find joy somewhere else, that’s where your focus should be.
Too often, we spend because we feel the need to keep up or do what society is doing. Don’t fall into that trap. Focus on your own life, priorities, and happiness.
15 – Communicate Openly With Your Partner
If you’re in a relationship, the money talk will inevitably happen. Depending on your relationship dynamic, you may also have different spending habits.
Make communicating about finances a priority and a regular event. Doing so can help with setting financial goals for your relationship and family. It will also help prevent surprises from cropping up down the road.
Conclusion
These tips for leveraging your paycheck are meant to help you make sense of what to do with your money and utilize it in a way that maximizes its value.
As long as you are intentional with your finances, you can avoid some of the financial pitfalls that may plague your neighbors. Follow these tips to develop healthy financial habits and secure your future!
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