The sheer number of financial decisions required to manage our finances can seem overwhelming. But often we spend an inordinate amount of time on small stuff - getting the bills paid on time, reconciling bank accounts, and calling to have a late charge waived. While those things need to get done, how do we judge whether we're headed on the right course? There are six basic financial decisions that can determine the course of your financial life.
1. How you earn a living.
Sure, we all want to enjoy our work. But within that parameter, why not choose a job that will pay more than another? Your income is going to drive all your other financial decisions, so investigate your options:
• Are you sure you're being paid a competitive wage with competitive benefits? Even if you aren't interested in changing jobs now, pay attention to what is going on in your field.
• Do you have an outside interest or hobby that can be turned into a paying job? This could be a good way to supplement your current salary, or it could turn into a part-time job or business after retirement.
• Can you get some additional training to help secure a promotion or qualify for another job? Read up on what jobs are expected to experience the highest growth rates and/or highest salaries over the next five years. If you don't enjoy your current job, you'll have even more incentive to implement these suggestions.
2. How you spend your income.
The amount of money left over for saving is a direct result of your lifestyle choices, so learn to live within your means. To get a grip on spending, consider these tips:
• Analyze your spending for a month. In which categories do you spend more than you expected? Are you wasting money on impulse purchases? Give serious though to your spending patterns, trying to find ways to reduce spending.
• One of your most significant spending decisions will be your home. Many people purchase the largest home they can afford, often straining their budget. Purchasing a smaller home will reduce your mortgage payment as well as other costs associated with owning a home.
• Prepare a budget to guide your spending. Few people enjoy setting or sticking to a budget, but inefficient and wasted expenditures can be major impediments to accomplishing your financial goals. A budget gives you a road map for spending your income. Start by setting a budget for a couple of months, tracking your expenses closely over that time. You can then fine-tune your budget for an annual period.
3. How much you save.
You should be saving a minimum of 10% of your gross income. But don't just rely on that rule of thumb. Calculate how much you need to meet your financial goals and how much you should be saving on an annual basis. If you can't seem to save that much, go back to your spending analysis and cut your spending. First, look for ways to reduce your spending by lowering the cost of your purchases. Perhaps you can refinance your mortgage, find insurance for a lower premium, or use strategies to reduce taxes. At some point, however, you may need to cut your discretionary spending, such as entertainment, dining out, clothing, and travel.
4. How you invest.
The ultimate size of your portfolio is a function of two factors - how much you save and how much you earn on those savings. Even small differences in return can significantly impact your investment portfolio. Typically, investments with potentially higher rates of return have more volatility than investments with lower rates of return. While you don't want to take on excessive risk, you also don't want to leave all your savings in investments with little growth potential. Your portfolio should contain a diversified mix of investment categories, based on your return expectations, risk tolerance, and time horizon for investing.
5. How you manage debt.
Before you take on debt, consider the effect it will have on your long-term goals. If you are already having trouble finding money to save, additional debt will make it even more difficult to save. To keep your debt in check, consider these tips:
• Mortgage debt is acceptable, as long as you can easily afford the home.
• Be careful about taking equity out of your home in the form of a home-equity loan. You might want to set up a home-equity line of credit for emergency use, but make sure it is only used for emergencies. It may also make sense to use a home-equity loan to pay off higher interest rate consumer loans, but don't run those balances up again.
• Never purchase items on credit that decrease in value, such as clothing, vacations, food, and entertainment. If you can't pay cash, don't buy them.
• If you must incur debt, borrow wisely. Make as large a down payment as you can. Consider a shorter loan period, even though your payment will be higher. Since interest rates can vary widely, compare loan terms with several lenders. Review all your debt periodically to see if less expensive options are available.
6. How you prepare for financial emergencies.
Making arrangements to handle financial emergencies will help prevent them from adversely affecting your financial goals. Make sure to have:
• An emergency fund covering several months of living expenses. Besides cash, that fund can include readily accessible investments or a line of credit.
• Insurance to cover catastrophes. At a minimum, review your coverage for life, medical, homeowners, auto, disability, and personal liability.
• A power of attorney so someone can step in and take over your finances if you become incapacitated.
Making the correct choices for these six basic financial decisions will help put you on the right financial course. If you'd like help with these decisions, please call.