Adulting Like a Pro: Managing Money

It can take a while before you're truly in charge of your own money and finances. Even when you start earning money for yourself as a teenager, you don't have the financial responsibilities of an adult. Going to college gives you a better look at what it's like to manage your money, but you might have financial support from various places or still be living at home. When it's time to make it on your own, you can feel a bit uncertain about how to manage your money responsibly. No one ever taught you how to file your taxes or manage a 401(K). If you feel like your financial management skills are anything but adult, it's easy to improve your knowledge and put it into practice.

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Creating a Budget
The first rule of managing your finances like an adult is to have a budget and stick to it. If you don't already have one, you can start by looking at your essential expenses. You need to pay for things like rent, food, and transport. But even though they're essentials, it doesn't mean you can't spend less on them. If you want to save money, you can consider moving into a shared house, swapping your car for a bicycle, and eating out less. When you create your budget, make sure you include the money you want to save in it. Sticking to a budget requires self-control, so it's important that you learn to avoid impulse purchases.

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Managing Debt
If you've been to college, it's likely you've already racked up a good amount of debt. Even if you didn't attend college, many young adults already have debts they need to pay off. How to manage your debts sensibly is one of the most important financial skills you can have. You can get in serious trouble if you don't take a sensible approach to debt. It's important to think carefully before taking on any debt. It can be easy to borrow the money you need, for example, it's simple to apply online for an installment loan. However, you should make sure you know how much money you will have to pay back. It's essential that you can afford it. Once you have taken on any debt, from loans to credit cards, you need to make sure you have a solid plan to pay it back.

Filing Your Taxes
One of the things that people most often complain about not having learned at school is how to do their taxes. It's an important thing you need to get done every year if you don't want to get in trouble. The truth is that it's not that difficult to file your taxes, especially with some tools and guides to help you. The first thing you can use is an online calculator, which will help you work out how much you need to pay in tax from your salary. You can use a tool like Paycheck City to make it easier. Learning how to do your tax return and understanding which taxes you need to pay are important. Some states have state-level incomes tax as well as federal income tax, while others don't. When you fill out your individual tax return, you'll need to provide information about your income, deductions, and credits.

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Prepare for Anything
Being prepared is another essential element of managing your finances. You never know what the future might hold. If you're not financially prepared, one unexpected incident could ruin you. One way to be prepared is to have an emergency fund. Before you start saving for anything else, you should save up a financial cushion that will help you out in an emergency. Maybe your car breaks down, or you end up out of work for a few months. Having a small fund to dip into when you need it can help to prevent all sorts of problems. Once you use some of your emergency fund, make sure to top it up again.
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Saving for the Future
Thinking about the future can be extremely hard as a young adult. Many can barely afford to make plans for next year, never mind ten or twenty years from now. And a lot of young adults would much rather live for now anyway, spending their money on experiences instead of investing in material possessions. But when your retirement arrives, you might wish you had started to save for it as early as you could.

Even though saving can be hard, anything is better than nothing. Your employer might offer you ways to save, like a 401(K) or another type of savings plan. There are other ways to invest your money too. Owning a home is a worthwhile investment for many, ensuring that you'll have somewhere to live and a valuable asset once you own it outright.

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Reviewing Your Finances Regularly
It's important to try and take a look at your finances now and then. There are a few reasons you should do this. Firstly, you should see if there are any discrepancies in the money going out of your bank account. Sometimes, there are payments you don't recognize, and it might turn out you're paying for something you don't want. Another important reason to review your finances is so that you can see if you can save any money. There are often times when you need to revise your budget and spending so that you can save more or make your money go further.

Insurance
Paying for different types of insurance can feel painful. It just seems like you're paying for something you're not using. But if anything happens, you'll be glad to have it there. Insurance can usually help to protect you better than your own savings can. If you rent, renter's insurance will help you, or homeowner's insurance is essential if you have your own property. Your car needs to be insured, your pets, your income and, of course, yourself. Make medical insurance a priority.

With a good financial head on your shoulders, being an adult feels a little easier. It's never too early or too late to learn the skills you need.

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​by Iconic Chica Contributors