Your 20s was a time for you to have fun, explore what the world has to offer you, and learn how to be an adult. Your 30s, however, is when you should start building healthy habits that ensure that you will have a happy and comfortable life in your future.
Now that you are older and wiser, you should start sorting your finances. Here are a few milestonesthat you should aim to reach in your 30s.
Move Out of Your Apartment, Start Building a Home
Not everyone wants to become a homeowner but, for most, buying a house would be a dream coming true.
Buying a house is a good investment. Long-term, it is cheaper than renting a space. You also will get the freedom to decorate and modify the structure according to your lifestyle needs.
Becoming a homeowner when you are still young might seem impossible, but it is achievable. You need to start saving up as soon as possible so you can start hunting for a house for sale in an ideal neighborhood.
Reconsider Where Your Money Should Be Going
In your 20s, it might have been okay for you to spend so much money buying expensive coffee every morning or eating at a restaurant every night. In your 30s, you should start making adjustments by reducing cash that goes onto purchases that are not really necessary.
Keep track of your daily and weekly expenses. Figure out which expenses can be eliminated. Your daily coffee runs, for example, is not a necessity. You can brew your own cup of joe at home by investing in a coffee maker and a bag of beans. It is cheaper and just as good.
In your 30s, your lifestyle likely has changed, too. If you are married and planning to have kids, you likely will reallocate parts of your monthly income towards the needs of your family. If you want to open your own business, you also will need to determine how much of your money should be invested in achieving your dream.In your 30s, you have more money but you also have more responsibilities.
Pay Off Your Debt
Debt is a constant source of stress. You do not want to carry debt, aside from mortgage, into your 30s.
As soon as you can, pay off your student loans and credit card bills. Any debt that is not a mortgage will be a hurdle that will prevent you from achieving your financial and personal goals. You also should not delaypaying off your debt, especially your credit card bills, to avoid high-interest rates. You would have to pay a larger amount if you keep putting it off.Start this new chapter of your life with a clean slate, free of debt and worry.
Start Investing in Your Future
You are not going to be young forever. In a few decades, you will have to leave the workforce and retire. When that time comes, you need to be ready to lose your source of income.
Max out your contribution to your retirement plan. Ideally, you started saving for your retirement in your 20s.
It is a long-term endeavor and the best time to start is as soon as possible. Look at how much you are already putting in your retirement plan and adjust accordingly. Strive to dedicate at least 15% of your income toward your future.
In your 30s, you should start making smart financial decisions. No more wasting your income on things you do not need. The next decade of your life should be about building and protecting your wealth.
