Money is one of those things that feels like everyone understands but few do.
We all have different attitudes to money, different values, and different beliefs about how money should be used.
Some people are comfortable talking about finances, while others would rather avoid the topic completely.
Schools, colleges, and universities do not offer enough classes on financial education unless you pursue specialized studies in finance.
Financial education is beyond the realms of cash and investments, and topics like planning for retirement, career preparation, or understanding different forms of insurance.
It doesn’t mean we can’t learn anything from other people who have experienced life and money in ways we haven’t yet.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 5 Things they should teach us about school money (but they don’t).
So, if you want to be financially savvy, then this post is for you.
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How To Set Financial Goals
The best way to make your money work for you is to set financial goals. It is a proven way to optimize your spending and maximize your savings.
Before you can start saving, you need to know what you want to achieve financially.
You might be renting with no mortgage, or maybe you have kids, a car payment, and credit card bills to take care of.
Some goals suit everyone, no matter your financial situation. You can start by creating a list of your financial goals.
Once you have a clear picture of what you want, you can take steps toward achieving them.
You can set short-term and long-term goals to keep yourself motivated and on track towards financial freedom.
Understanding An Asset And Liability
Your home, car, and education are examples of assets because they require long-term ownership and investment.
They are also expenses that, at times, might become liabilities as well. Debts, including your mortgage and credit card bills, are liabilities.
No matter how many assets you have, they will never add up to be greater than your liabilities.
Understandably, school students are more concerned with their grades than their finances.
However, the debt they accrue while they are in school will stay with them for the rest of their lives unless they make substantial financial sacrifices.
An educated person is more likely to get a better-paying job.
When you are financially aware, you can make the right decisions for your money and avoid making bad decisions that will cost you a lot of money in the long run.
How To Discern Quality Investment And Bad Investment
Most people think investing is the same as saving money. However, the difference is that when you save, you are not expecting any returns on your investment.
Investing is the process of putting your money into different assets that you believe will generate a profit.
The difference between a good investment and a bad one is the risk you take on and the expected return.
Investing in low-risk stocks and bonds might seem like a safe choice given that there’s very little chance of losing money.
However, they also offer a very low chance of making a profit. On the other hand, high-risk investments can lead to big profits, but they also come with a bigger risk of losing money.
Investment Strategies
Investment strategies are a form of risk management that let you control how much risk you are taking on with your investments.
A strategy is an overall plan or path you take to achieve a specific goal.
Investment strategies can vary based on your risk tolerance, timeline, and amount of money you have to invest.
There are different types of investment strategies;
- Allocation
- Diversification
- Dollar-cost average
- Margin of safety
Allocation
How do you divide up your investment portfolio between different types of investments, such as stocks and bonds?
Diversification
A strategy that spreads your investments across several different types of investments to reduce risk.
Dollar Cost Averaging
Instead of investing a large amount of money in one go, you break it down into smaller amounts.
Margin of Safety
Investing with a safety cushion in case the market takes a dip.
The Importance Of Budgeting
In the school years, you focus on getting a good education and landing a job after graduation.
However, when you get older, you have a different set of priorities, such as paying off your student loans, saving for retirement, and caring for your family.
Budgeting is the process of setting your income against your expenses. It is the best way to take control of your money and make sure it goes where it should.
A well-managed budget helps you make better financial decisions and avoid unnecessary debt. It is also a great way to stay organized and prioritize what is important to you and your family.
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Conclusion
Financial literacy is a vital life skill.
It can help you understand how money works, how to save for the future, and even where your money is going.
It can also help you avoid the kinds of financial mistakes that can be costly in the long term.
Millions of people struggle with money, and schools don’t often offer much in the way of financial education.
We must take the time to learn about money and make sure we can make choices that are in our best interest.