The first salary is a big transition in every person’s life. From being a student, dependent on one’s parents for pocket money, to being an earning member of the society can make anyone’s head spin. When you spend your own hard-earned money, you don’t feel the need to explain your expenses. But, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. You should know where to park your resources, because the right instruments, such as stable investments and family health insurance plans are the ticket to a stable financial future.
Here, find 5 smart ways to make money work for you.
- Repay your debt: At this stage, a student loan is a common debt that a person may have. Even if some loans have a grace period, it is always advisable to repay them at the earliest. Plan your expenses keeping in mind that you need to repay your debts as soon as possible. This will also help you get a good credit score for future credit requirement.
- Build up emergency savings: Make provisions for a rainy day. A small percentage of income saved can be a lifesaver when life throws you a curve ball. Even if you have arrangements such as health insurance plan for the family, it’s always better to have your own savings. You never know when you might require the funds. It’s advised to have a target for monthly saving.
- Get health insurance for your family: While you’re young and healthy, purchasing health insurance may not be a top priority, but it should be. As you grow older, the premium you need to pay increases. Also, health problems turn up unannounced, giving you no warning. Hence, even at an early stage of life, it is essential to choose a proper health insurance plan for the family to ensure you’re financially secured in case of unforeseen health issues.
- Plan your financial goals: It’s important to set aside money for the future you are planning. You need to save from your first salary itself if you plan on making big expenses like buying a house or going on a vacation abroad. For this, you need to prioritize your needs and spending. Save according to the income that you expect to receive in the next 5-7 years. Setting a budget for yourself would help you achieve your dreams.
- Invest: If you start young, you can invest in more risky investment options instead of always having to play safe. Since money compounds itself, it is wise to start investing at the earliest. Diversify your investments to reduce risk. The old saying that never keeps all your eggs in one basket is very apt here.
Starting out life in the real world can be scary. Half the battle is won once you know your financial goals and work towards them. To make life easy, spend smartly and invest intelligently and make sure to protect yourself against unforeseen contingencies by purchasing a good family health insurance plan.