Financial mistakes to avoid in your 20s

Being a young adult in your 20s can be scary. Your 20s are a time of independence, self-discovery and adventure. From now on you’re on your own! It’s a crucial period of time in one’s life for establishing a strong financial foundation that will shape your life and your future. It’s natural to make mistakes along the way, and it will probably end up happening, but being aware of the common pitfalls can help you navigate your journey with more confidence and more safely. In this article will explore financial mistakes to avoid in your 20s, with examples and advice tailored to both early and late 20s.

Early 20s – Building a strong financial foundation

Neglecting financial education

When you’re young and fresh out of university or high school, the world of finance might be overwhelming at best or boring at worst. Many younger adults enter their 20s without having a basic understanding of saving, investing or budgeting – it’s not your fault. High School and most university courses don’t provide enough knowledge to their students, so most of the work will have to be done independently. However, ignoring the importance of financial education can lead to uninformed decisions that might jeopardise your future.

Take time to educate yourself about personal finance, learn budgeting, study everything that has to do with savings and how to set up a retirement fund. These are essential skills, but they can be learned.

Neglecting emergency savings

Being young usually means having short-term goals, living by the month if not by the week. Many underestimate the importance of creating and building an emergency fund early on. Unexpected expenses can turn into financial emergencies very fast.

If you’re in the place where this is a possibility, try to start building an emergency fund early on. Budget as much as you can until you can cover at least 3 months of living expenses. A fund will provide you with the financial safety net for unexpected events and give you some peace of mind in case something happens.

Avoiding investing

The world of investment is huge, and without having much experience it might seem intimidating and overwhelming. You might feel intimidated by many factors, including the lack of knowledge, fear of risk and the fact (or belief for some) that a substantial starting capital is required to start investing. It might feel overwhelming due to the abundance of investment options and the risk of losing everything. It’s important to push through and to take the plunge. Starting early offers many advantages when it comes to wealth accumulation. If you’re new to the game and feeling intimidated, you can start with small and manageable steps. Aim at diversified, low-risk investments like index funds and ETFs. On top of that, seek guidance and contemplate the idea of user-friendly investment apps and platforms that can help demystify and make the world of investing more digestible.

Late 20s – Refining your financial path

Racking up high-interest debt

As the transition into your late 20s happens, you should have a better understanding of financial responsibility. High-interest debt is a difficult beast to tackle, and many still find themself carrying it. High-interest debt can be intimidating and feel like a burden, making you feel trapped and stifling your ability to save, invest or plan for the future. Making informed decisions and avoiding taking on more debt are wise ways of managing debt.

Failing to plan for the future

Your late 20s are a critical time to set long-term financial goals, but it might feel scary to do so. The pervasive feeling of uncertainty about the future, whether it’s related to your career, relationships, or the general state of the world, can lead to a sense of apathy and result in procrastination when it comes to setting long-term financial goals. On top of that, the burden of financial loans, rent and the other many financial responsibilities can make it challenging to decide where to allocate resources for long-term planning. It’s important to set achievable, incremental goals that can be tweaked and adapted to whatever comes your way. Flexibility is key, and can help provide you with a sense of security and empower you to take the first steps towards long-term financial planning.

Overlooking the importance of insurance

As young adults we tend to underestimate the value of insurance, such as health, life or disability coverage. They feel like issues we don’t really have to deal with still, as we’re young and in good health. People in this age group are usually still going through big life transitions, such as job changes, moving overseas or even marriage and children. The lack of stability and the volatility can lead to less awareness when it comes to the importance of insurance. On top of all the life changes you might be going through, financial concerns of other types can end up overshadowing insurance planning. It’s crucial to learn and engage in a comprehensive financial planning that includes insurance. You might want to seek counseling from a qualified financial advisor who can help you set everything up, and help you find the form of insurance coverage that fits your needs the most.

Your (and my) 20s are a period of deep transformation, both for the personal and financial spheres of your life. It’s the decade that could make you or break you, and avoiding financial mistakes during this time is essential for securing a stable and prosperous future for you and your family. Whether you’re 21, just beginning your financial journey, or 28, thinking about investing and buying property, being mindful and doing your research will help you build a strong financial foundation. It’s never too early or too late to take control of your finances, however scary it might seem.

_{Disclaimer: This article has been distributed for educational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed.}