Specific personal finance rules exist, but we all handle our money differently. While many people live paycheck-to-paycheck, pleading that the end of the month comes sooner, others focus on their next asset.Â
The conversation online recently centered around the most controversial opinions people have on finance. The results were entertaining, curious, and informative, sometimes somewhat visceral.Â
1. Too Many People Believe Their Balance Defines Them
There was lots of kickback against those for whom savings and assets are central to their happiness. So setting targets for buying those assets or investments people should be critical, and not just saving to the detriment of one’s living standards.Â
2. Use This Ten Percent Rule
One lady exposed how her ex-husband grew up wealthy, but she grew up poor. For every $100 she earned when they were married, she saved $10 and invested it.
Meanwhile, her ex spent more than he had, deferring to wealthy parents whenever needed. Now divorced, she is financially better off, even though he still earns more than he does.
3. Making Your Payments Doesn’t Mean You Can Afford Something
Nothing says I am in control more than quoting a famous line from the financially well-endowed Jay-Z: “If you can’t buy something twice, then you can’t afford it once.” Enough said. As expected, many posts expressed disdain at anyone spending beyond their means.Â
4. Develop Solid Study Habits Early
The basics you will learn in elementary school create a springboard for all that comes in later life. The consensus in one thread showed that ~people still value education. They argued by instilling productive habits from ages four to 18. They could do more for our kids’ lives than anything they can “do between age 18-80.”
5. Embrace Your Inner Passport, Bro
Did you know you don’t have to retire in the U.S.A.? It dawned on me the other day that if I were to survive until 100 years old, how much would that cost in retirement? Some people choose to sell up and retire in a country where land, housing, and living are cheaper such as Thailand or Mexico.Â
6. Leveraging Debt Can Work
Throughout the thread, advocates for using debt appeared. Some opinions made sense, arguing that if businesses use loans to invest in their revenue streams, this can work for consumers, too. The only caveat is the cost of monthly repayments isn’t more than the monthly generated revenues. Pay off your credit card balances fully each month.
7. Boring Is Good
Superannuation, meaning regular payments into your retirement funds, is a term unknown to many investors; for those aware, it just isn’t a sexy term. However, if possible, you should try to find an employer that offers this. It could be a compulsory pension contribution or any reward gained on retirement, and you’ll benefit from compounding your growth.
8. Force People to Save or Invest
Controversial ideas on this subject revealed annoyance that some pensioners often have nothing saved, forcing the younger generations to pay for their lack of savings. Should people be forced to invest from a younger age?Â
9. Get Afterpay
Afterpay received several nods in this discussion because it is a means to defer payment without interest. This online service is similar to a credit card, though the beauty of Afterpay is you have six weeks to pay the balance. Moreover, this stays interest-free if you can pay within four weeks.Â
10. Estate Inheritance Is Bad for All Concerned
Finally, one prolific commenter shared their wisdom on a few things, but they argued that you would do them a disservice by giving your kids too much. The argument goes that parents never enjoy the spoils of their labor, while the beneficiaries will be less inclined to learn independence.Â
11. Don’t Save Money Without A Goal
Don’t ruin your quality of life to save money. Be strategic about reducing costs. One person said, “I see a lot of recommendations of people going through the greatest hoops or reducing their quality of life to save cents per unit on items or like give up things they enjoy (solely) to save an amount of money each year. Asking for an interest rate reduction regularly will likely save you more money than giving up that glorious cup of barista coffee you enjoy.”
This thread inspired this post.
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This article first appeared on The Cents of Money.
