As you hit your 30s, your responsibilities grow and your financial department needs more attention. This is the phase in your life that you feel financial independence. Most likely, have established your career, started your own family, and created financial goals.
This is also the time to get your finances under control – checking where you spend your earning and saving more. This is probably the most critical financial path because you need to be more careful with your earnings, investment, and more. Whatever career you’re in right now,
Here are the helpful tips in managing your finances:
- Save more in your emergency fund
- Make an investment
- Set financial goals and priorities
- Acquire life and disability insurance
- Pay your debt with high interest
- use your credit card properly and wisely
- Build your retirement plan
- Ask for professional financial help
- Live contently within your means
- Look for career growth
- Create your own will
#1. Save more in your emergency fund
You should start your emergency fund in your 20s, covering at least three to six months’ worth of your expenses. It’s most likely that you have an increased income in your 30s so your emergency fund should increase as well.
#2. Make an investment
Aside from saving up for emergency fund and retirement plan, it’s also a good thing to invest. Your 30s is a great time to embrace the idea of investment and stock market. You can split your earnings with various investments but it depends on your financial setup.
#3. Set financial goals and priorities
You should always align your earning and spending with your financial priorities and goals. As you age, it’s likely that you make more money and it’s recommended to increase your retirement plan. Also, always check your spending even when you’re earning more. Determine what is important for you and spend your earning with your needs but treat yourself once in a while.
#4. Acquire life and disability insurance
Thinking of the worst case scenario in our lives is morbid but it helps us push planning our lives a little better an easier once it happens. This is where insurance comes in the picture. First thing to do is to assess your current earnings and future financial goals so you can figure out how much you can afford. This is where you need the help of insurance adviser who can help you figure out the coverage that fits within your budget. It’s recommended to have insurance at a young age because it gets expensive with age.
#5. Pay your debt with high interest
If you’re experiencing a lot of debt in your 30s, it’s time to get rid of them using careful financial planning. How to start weeding them out? You can begin with balance transfer card. Getting another credit card may seem counterproductive but it will help improving your finances when you use it wisely. Most of the balance credit cards are offering 0 percent annual percentage rate (APR) from 12 to 21 months. Once you transfer your balances with 0 percent APR for at least 12 months, you can use your extra cash to pay your debt faster.
#6. Use your credit card properly and wisely
Credits cards can be your friend when you’re in need. Using them wisely will provide great benefits. Benefits of using credit cards wisely include cash back, reward points, free travel, and more perks.
#7. Build your retirement plan
30s is the perfect time to start your retirement plan and perform its important calculation. There are many online calculators that will help you determining how much you need for retirement and what to do to meet the goals later.
#8. Ask for professional financial help
As we grow older, our finances become complex without noticing it. It’s time that you need help to know the ins and outs of your finances. It’s likely you need a professional help of a professional planner to figure out things like tax planning, insurance policy, or retirement plan.
#9. Live contently within your means
This may sound cliché but it’s really helpful getting your finances together. It’s a good start when you want to grow your finances in the long run. Don’t spend more than you earn. It’s likely that your debt is too low and you’re doing okay financially speaking. If you want to reach your certain financial goal faster, it’s better to spend far below how much you earn monthly.
#10. Look for career growth
During your 20s, you’re developing a set of marketable skills. You should be able to determine which skills will increase your earnings in the long run. These skills are helpful when you hit your 30s as you have the chance to advance your career in your chosen field.
You should identify the right career path and companies where you can apply your skills. You can also consider going back to school for an advance degree so it help in boosting your skills and marketable talent.
#11. Create your own will
It may sound a little too early but it will come in handy when you need it. Once you hit your 30s, partying harder and getting hangover afterward will make you think that you’re gonna pass soon especially if you don’t look after your health. It’s about time to realize that you need to have your own will. If you don’t have one, it’s likely that your estate and finances will be split by someone you really don’t know. With the help of durable power of attorney and living will, your loved ones will receive help in managing your estate and finances once you’re incapacitated.