5 Money Tips for the Graduates of 2017
The age of social media is an expensive one; keeping up with the travels, the purchases of our friends on Facebook and the ones we follow on Instagram is more than what we can handle. Since you’re fresh out of school, you might still be reeling from being unemployed, but that won’t last. Once you get a job, then having your own money can be a bit overwhelming, so here are some tips that might help you avoid being in the red.
Open a savings account.
If you have a bank account before you entered the workforce then jollygood, you’re off to a great start. However if you don’t have one then this should be a priority. There are tons of options out there, but we suggest you get a Passbook savings account since it’s a bit of a hassle to withdraw money without the accessibility of an ATM card.
Save 10 percent of your salary every month.
Anything more might be hard, and anything less would be really small. After you get your compensation for the 15th or the 30th, paying yourself should be number one on your to-do list. That way, you can spend the remaining money on bills. You can also splurge a little without worrying about your savings.
Live within or even below your means.
Social media ends when real life begins. Sure, getting hundreds of likes, wows, and hearts for that brand new bag and shoes you bought feels great, but is it worth the financial setback you’ll eventually have? You’re fresh out of school, and yes we understand that financial independence is a bit exhilarating, but remember that you don’t have to have everything now. You can always save for that Euro trip slowly. You don’t want to be in debt this early on.
Get a part-time/freelance job.
Your full-time day job is taxing and most of the time (admit it!), you hate it. We have a solution. Get another one, not get a new one, but one more. This one should be all about doing what you love. If you’re an accountant, but you like writing, then get freelance writing job. There are tons of websites looking for one. If you’re a Civil Engineer, but you love tinkering on graphics, then get a part-time job as one. There are 24 hours in a day, seven days a week, and 31 days in a month. You can spare an hour or two doing something that you’ll fall in love with.
Invest.
Saving is good but investing is better. We’re not talking about insurance, thought it could be a great idea. We’re actually leaning on something more real, like a house or a piece of land. Sure, you’re young, but do not let your age be a deterrent to acquire the necessities.
Savoring life by travelling, by dining in fine restaurants, by stacking up your wardrobe, by getting the latest gadget is one thing, but being careless in your expenses is something not worth the hassle in the long run. You’re young. You have a clean slate. Make your age an asset.
Okay, okay.
Who are we kidding? We didn't do these things when we first graduated either! We were a bunch of lost, free-spirited, wanna-step-out-of-the-system youngsters who wanted to finally, truly get bit in the butt by life!
But let's set one thing straight - when you graduate, find your lazy ass a job. Relying on your parents' money regardless if you were born on a silver plate should no longer be an acceptable norm from you. Graduation is your first step towards finding your true self. Better be broke and learn from it while you're young and can still run to your mama's arms now than later.
Eventually, you will find yourself on a rollercoaster ride of winning and losing in life and money comes with. But remember through whatever happens, money is money. It's easy to spend but also can be easy to earn if you work hard enough for it. At this point, just avoid borrowing money so you don't drown in debt.
Cheers to you, your true self, your passions, and your career/s! May you get the best out of life and remember to always give a piece of yourself to the world.
*Post photo from Education Week.
