The way people in their 20s feel about money is often complicated. For example, many Millennials are inclined to spend their money on experiences instead of things or assets like real estate.
Even though once-in-a-lifetime feelings are important, you might want to wait until you have more money before spending thousands of rands on trips to must-see places like Bali and Thailand. Even if you think you shouldn't be concerned about retirement till later, you do. It would help if you started putting away everything you can as soon as possible.
What happens with compound interest over time
Your 20s can be hard and fun at the same time. You're starting a job, maybe a family, and learning how to pay bills and do all the other things that come with being an adult. So you probably aren't thinking about how to save. But you need to start saving immediately, even if you can only put away a bit. Time is your friend as you enter your 20s.
When you begin saving early, your interest earnings will increase over time. If you started saving just R200 a month when you were 20, you would have R767,568 when you were 65. The amount you would have at age 65 if you began saving R200 per month at age 35 would be significantly less, at R247,040. You can have a pleasant and fruitful retirement if you start saving now.
Keep for a house or a flat deposit.
It might appear like a good thought to rent a small flat or house because the monthly payments are usually not too high, and you might be able to rent a much nicer place than you'd be able to buy right now. But you can never get your rent back.
On the other hand, the payments you start taking on a home loan are an investment. You might not be capable of purchasing a home right now, but you can set a goal to buy a house by age 30. If you are 20, you have ten years to save money and use time and interest charges to your advantage.
Create an emergency fund.
One of the finest things you can do is start an emergency fund. This money should only be spent on things that aren't needed and can't be avoided. We're talking about new tires, an unexpected auto repair, or a medical bill your medical assistance doesn't cover. Doing this is essential so that you won't have to take out a loan to pay for an emergency.
Increase your credit score.
Yes, saving can also improve your credit score in a roundabout way. First, having a savings profile shows that you are stable and responsible. When lenders look at your financial history, this will look good. Second, it will ensure you always have a small sum of money available to meet your monthly expenses and payments. Making sure you don't miss a payment should be your top priority, and having a little cash can assist you in getting through hard months.
How To Get Started
Find a way to live in the present while planning for the future.
Life is about achieving equilibrium, and if you are too much of a Millennial and live for the moment, it can hurt your finances. There's nothing wrong with making the trip. However, you may want to start small. Wait to do expensive things or travel until you've got enough money.
Learn how to make a budget.
Making a budget can be hard, but if you learn how to do it now, you'll be able to handle your money better. You'd be better off if you found a way to make a spending plan and stuck to it. Check out how much money you make each month. Then take out any necessary costs.
Last, contemplate the amount of cash you have left over each month and decide how to spend it. Try to eat out less and buy fewer clothes to save money. Do it if you can. It could take a few months to start figuring out what goes where, and some changes may occur. But try to stick to your budget once you have made one.
Set short-term and long-term goals.
If you don't have clear goals, saving money might be hard. So, having both short-term and long-term goals is important. Short-term goals might include saving a specific amount of money each month or even paying off your car.
Long-term goals could include saving for a down payment on a house in 10 years or repaying your student loan five years after graduation. Write down your goals and plan so you can reach them when you want. After setting these goals, you can save cash with a clear head.
Make it a habit from now on.
When you eat out or buy new stuff, it's easy to overspend, so make saving a habit you commit to. It would assist if you challenged yourself to stop spending, focus on your goals, and find ways to save money. You'll be capable of living on your own sooner if you save money immediately.
