From Saving to Investing: Manage Your Money Like a Pro

Money Management

Yeah, we know - just hearing those words may make your eyes glaze over. But if you're ready to switch from retail therapy to growing your wealth, this is the blog for you. Financial health is all about understanding how to manage money in a way that works for you.

Here's to stepping up your money game. 💸

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‍#1 Every Dollar Counts

The first step to becoming a pro at money management is to recognize that every dollar counts. No matter how much you're making a year, the key to financial security is knowing how to manage money, not how much of it you have.

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#2 Start Small but Start Now

We all know how exciting it is to spend on that brand new iPhone or those cute boots. But think about it - what if you could have all that and more without the post-purchase guilt? Saving isn't about denying yourself everything you want now; it's about making sure future you also gets to have a blast. 🛍️

A good rule of thumb is to follow the 50/30/20 rule.

It's pretty simple:

• 50% of your income goes to your necessities like rent, food, and bills.
• 30% is for your wants (yes, the cute boots go here).
• 20% goes straight to your savings account.

But remember, the key to understanding how to manage money is flexibility. Some months, you might have unexpected expenses, and that's okay. As long as you're putting something away, you're on the right track. You've got this.

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#3 Get the Most out of Your Savings

Cool, you've started saving. Now, let's make sure your savings aren't just sitting there lazily. It's time to learn about high-yield savings accounts. A high-yield savings account is like your regular savings account but on Red Bull. It offers a much higher interest rate, which means your money grows faster. It’s an easy step in learning how to manage money better.

Here's a list of some websites that can help you in finding the right savings accounts:

• NerdWallet - This website compares various financial products, including savings accounts. It uses a star rating system to rate banks and credit unions.
• Bankrate - Bankrate provides comparison tables for various financial products. Their high-yield savings account section lists APY, monthly fees, minimum deposits, and overall ratings.
• MagnifyMoney - Owned by LendingTree, MagnifyMoney has comparison tools for savings accounts. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of fees, interest rates, and minimum balance requirements.
• Finder - Finder offers comparison tables for a wide range of financial products, including savings accounts. They provide an overview of account features and customer reviews.

Always check through the terms thoroughly before you make a decision to see which option is best suited to you.

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#4 Your First Steps into Investing

Investing is basically buying pieces of a company (stocks) or lending money to a company or government (bonds) with the hope that you'll make a profit. There are also mutual funds, which is a mix of stocks and bonds managed by a professional, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are like mutual funds but can be traded like stocks.

Start by doing your research and understanding your risk tolerance. You can then pick a brokerage firm to start investing with. There are several apps that make investing super easy and are perfect for those trying to figure out how to manage money. 💸

Here's a list of some popular investing apps that might be worth checking out:

• Robinhood - Known for its commission-free trades, Robinhood is popular with beginners. It offers stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency trading.
• Acorns - If you find it hard to save money for investing, Acorns might be a good route. The app rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the change in a diversified portfolio.
• Wealthfront - This robo-advisor creates a diversified portfolio for you based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. It automatically rebalances your portfolio and uses tax-loss harvesting to maximize your returns.

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#6 Diversification: Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Diversification is key. Essentially, you don't want to invest all your money in one company or even one industry. Spread it out to manage risks. Think about it this way - if all your money is in tech stocks and the tech industry crashes, you lose big time. But if your investments are spread out across tech, healthcare, manufacturing, etc., you're less likely to lose all your money.

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#7 Investing in Retirement

Now, let's talk about something we'd all rather not think about - retirement. It seems a million years away, but investing in your retirement now is an essential part of learning how to manage money like a pro.

If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, take advantage of it, especially if they offer to match your contributions. If not, consider opening an IRA (Individual Retirement Account). These accounts are tax-advantaged, which means you get to save more.

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#8 Never Stop Learning

The world of finance is always evolving. So, keep learning, keep reading, and stay curious. Remember, the goal isn't to become a Wall Street whiz overnight but to understand how to manage money better every day.

Remember, the path from saving to investing doesn't have to be scary; it's empowering. With every step you take, you're taking control of your financial future.

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Big love. Cleo 💙