13 Habits of Financially Savvy People

Being financially savvy will mean different things to different people. But a common trait that the money-smart share is an affinity for long term financial planning and goals.

Those who are great at it don’t have to make huge sacrifices, but still manage to enjoy a high standard of living while traveling and pursuing a range of hobbies.

To be financially savvy, you should have a plan for the future and manage your cash flow with a budget. A budget and a long-term plan clarifies your goals and guides your day-to-day behavior so you can avoid leaving your finances to chance.

Whether you are starting out with setting your financial-building goals or trying to get back on track with your finances, the following top tips of the financially savvy are sure to change your life:

1. Plan and Budget

If you want to achieve your financial and wealth-building goals, you must have a plan and a budget. Your plan encompasses both long and short-term goals, and it includes leisure and purchase goals (such as vacations, house, and a car) as well as investment goals.

Your plan identifies what you want and tells you how to get there.

On the other hand, your budget sets out the day-to-day things you need to do to achieve your long-term plans. You can use it to guide your behavior and make smart choices about everyday spending. Your budget also lets you track, review, and adjust your spending and saving habits. Budgeting doesn't have to be time consuming or complicated, and there are hundreds of apps or free spreadsheet templates that you can use to start budgeting today.

2. Living Within (or Beneath) Your Means

Related to no.1 above, this means living within your financial capacity, or income. In reality, you need to live well beneath your means. If there are items that you really need to purchase, you can check on other cheaper alternatives or wait until you have more money to use for it. As they say, if you can’t pay cash, that means you can’t afford it.

3. Find Additional Sources of Income

Since we are talking about increasing purchasing power, how about finding additional income sources?

Whether you’re working on that e-commerce idea or driving for Uber in your spare time, additional streams of income will boost your savings and wealth by not just cutting back on spending, but by maximizing your earning power.

The financially savvy aren't just cutting back in small and large ways; they’re constantly on the lookout for ways they can generate an extra $500, $1,000, or more each month. Start small by exploring your hobbies and talents. Don’t discount things like renting out your spare room or using extra downtime for some freelance work.

While it doesn't sound like much, an additional $500 a month translates to an extra $6,000 over the course of a year. This is extra money you can use to invest, pay off high interest debt, or start another side business project.

4. Save a Fixed Percentage of Your Income

Save for a rainy day. The financially savvy are super disciplined at saving, and many pay themselves first by putting away 10%, 15% or more of every paycheck. Always pay yourself first, and then save for specific purchase goals – such as a vacation or a new car – on top of your regular savings habit. Given the concept of compound interest, this will have you maximizing the power of your money over the long term.

5. Get Advice When You Need It

Financially savvy people also know when to get advice when they need it, whether it’s consulting a tax expert, accountant, or financial planner. These experts know the latest tax and legal changes, so they can help you with everything from minimizing your taxes and maximizing contributions to structure your wealth-building vehicle for optimal tax outcomes.

Financial experts can also introduce you to investment and savings products you might not be aware of. While you might not need to see an expert right now, keep in mind advice from professionals in the field is money well spent and will help you make the right financial decisions in the future.

6. Be Smart When Using Credit and Debt Financing

Credit and debt can be useful tools for short-term needs and ‘good debt’ such as mortgages and car financing is used by millions of people to achieve their purchase goals more quickly. High-interest debt generators, on the other hand, like credit cards can impede your wealth-building strategy over the long term. Delays in paying off this type of outstanding debt can increase your interest burden over time.

Always aim to pay high-interest debt first and avoid living beyond your means by saving up to buy where possible instead of buying things on credit.

7. Prepare for Risk

This is where your rainy day fund comes in handy.

Financially savvy people plan for the unexpected events in life to protect themselves and their family, so they are not easily overwhelmed by the sudden unexpected downturns in life. A good financial risk management plan should include an emergency fund (which might be equivalent three to six months of your living expenses) and possibly taking out income-related insurance. Your risk management strategy will allow you to recover from setbacks more quickly. It can ensure you keep meeting your financial obligations in the event of sudden illness or unemployment.

8. Plan for Retirement

People who are great with money know that it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. You will want to maintain a suitable standard of living when you’re no longer earning an income through your salary. Start putting away money for retirement as early as possible and work with experts to find out what you can do to grow your retirement funds.

9. Keep Emotions Far From Your Money

Money and finances are an emotional topic for most people, and financially savvy people have learned to keep their emotions in check when making financial decisions. This is true whether they are deciding to buy a new household gadget or making a major decision such as buying a house or investing in a business.

When you surf online you see a lot of advertisements related to your interests. These can stir your emotions, especially if it’s something you really want to buy. However, financially savvy people know these advertisements are meant to attract you to whip out your credit card and buy. They are designed to confuse the difference between wants and needs, so beware. If you are an online shopping addict you can install ad blockers to at least minimize the number of ads you see online. Keeping your emotions in check also means avoiding the temptation to spend outside of your budget.

10. Apply Money Management Insights

Financially savvy people never stop educating themselves and are constantly investing in their education. Staying informed, reading new books on money management, strategizing and consulting with financial professionals are all ways to secure a path towards financial independence. In the end, educating yourself means recognizing that you are the one responsible for your financial destiny.

11. Not Delaying Maintenance

Maintenance is part of our lives, whether you like it or not. Cars break down, faucets loosen up, ovens and other items all need care and maintenance. Financially savvy people care for their possessions and if there are things that need to be fixed, they do it immediately. Further delay will just cost more in the long run so its best to attend to them as early as you can.

12. Only Insure Important Items

Home, car and health insurance are a must. But getting insurance for your house items like tv, laptops, clothing and similar items might not be what you really need right now if you are strapped for cash. These items get a chunk out of your earnings that could be spent on more important items.

If you determine that insurance is necessary, confirm that you are getting the right insurance. When looking at life insurance, savvy savers can expect to be self insured at some point. If that's your goal, buying whole life insurance and paying premiums for the rest of your life is unnecessary. Buy term life insurance for the term that you need it and save the difference in premium.

13. Don’t Lease Cars

Every financially savvy person knows that leasing car is not financially healthy in the long run. After paying all those rental fees, the car is not yours at the end. It is much better to buy a reliable second-hand car instead if you can’t afford a new one.

These are our habits of financially savvy people that all of us should emulate. It might be hard at first, but it can be done with hard work and determination.

If you need help or have questions, CALL A CFP® PRO AT ROBERT GORDON & ASSOCIATES TODAY!!