Laaaaaaadies! Need financial help?
Good. I’ve made just about every financial mistake you can think of: over-drafting, bad checks (accidentally), bank account closed (by the bank), reports to Chexsystems, low credit score, having a ton of credit cards (20, at my peak), pre-foreclosure, high-credit card debt, late student loan payments, investment scams (I was the victim)… there’s more, but you get the picture.
As a result of all my mistakes, I’ve learned some pretty valuable lessons. I’m doing relatively awesome now (financially speaking), so I figured I’d share what I’ve learned with you sis-star.
Here is a checklist of 30 things every 30-year-old woman should know about money. Through my blog, I’ll write posts that offer you specific financial help for every item on the list.
For now, get your score card out and let’s go…
1. How to budget
2. What a 401k is
3. How to properly use credit (cards)
4. How to borrow money and pay it back… on time
5. The basics of investing
6. How to say no when someone asked to borrow money (and mean it)
7. The difference between an IRA and a Roth IRA
8. Your financial baseline: the lowest amount of money you can make each month and still survive.
9. What multiple streams of income are and how to get some
10. How to save for the things you want vs. financing
11. How to deal with debt collectors without freaking-out, ignoring them or avoiding their calls
12. How to negotiate discounts with your service providers
13. What a credit report is and how to read it
14. How to ask for a deferment or forbearance of a student loan, rather than defaulting
15. Why you should NEVER co-sign on a loan, not even for family (especially not for family)
16. How to buy a home (even if you’re not planning on doing so yet)
17. How to make money with a hobby
18. How to pay for a wedding without incurring debt (if you plan on tying the knot)
19. What a credit score is and how it’s calculated
20. How to help out friends and family without putting your own finances in jeopardy
21. What your time is worth
22. What your ideal life looks like and how much it would cost you to maintain it
23. How much money you want to have for retirement and what you need to be doing now to get it
24. How to clean up your credit report
25. How to save for emergencies
26. How to quit a sucky job with enough money in the bank to last until you find a more awesome place to work
27. How to lower your tax burden
28. How best to use your tax refund
29. How to pay for a vacation, before going on vacation
30. How to LIVE RICHER: to live every-day life for less money and more fun
I’m sure there are probably more, but I said 30 so here it is. I’d love to hear your thoughts, Dream Catcher. What would you add to the list? How many things were you able to check off? Which numbers do you need the most financial help with?
LIVE RICHER,
Tiffany
Tiff you know that number 8 is mt ALL time FAVE! 30 rules that are perfectly stated (actually I'm gonna print and post) for My own well being as a reminder (yikes 40 is knocking on my door). Ooo, I would love to see 40 for 40 😉 shameless beg.
Tiff you know that number 8 is mt ALL time FAVE! 30 rules that are perfectly stated (actually I'm gonna print and post) for My own well being as a reminder (yikes 40 is knocking on my door). Ooo, I would love to see 40 for 40 😉 shameless beg.
Where was this list during my 20s? I love this post. Every single item on it is important. This is essentially a cheat sheet to your 20s. I see a book stewing girl!
But why do I love this so much! I think this is applicable to women in their 40s too, especially if they got a late start. Great list!
I had several I need to study up on but the one that always boggles me is 3. How to properly use credit (cards). I get them with the idea of using it for emergencies only, then end up using it “just this once” for a non-emergency with the thought of paying it off, usually ends up being several “just this once” moments, and then the floodgates open. I can pay it for awhile but then car trouble, medical expenses, gas and food goes up, whatever and the next thing you know I’m in debt. I work and stress to pay it down and swear never again and then I convince myself this time will be different and the cycle continues. I hover between just accepting that I’ll never be any good at credit cards and frustration because I SHOULD be able to figure it out. I’m not ready for another credit card but I’d like to get to a point where I can own and use one properly.
I would add: How to teach your children/grandchildren/godchildren/nieces/nephews how to properly manage money at a young age.