The Seacoast Bank Note

7 Milestones to Help You Sail into Financial Independence Before 40

Our life’s work is protecting yours. For that reason, Seacoast Bank is always here to be your dedicated partner in managing your finances and planning for your future. Today we’re bringing you 7 tips from WiseBread that serve as a checklist in taking inventory of your finances and planning for smooth sailing into age 40 and beyond.

1. Be Debt Free (At Least Once)

An important milestone that every young adult should hit is to become debt free at least once. Becoming debt free gives you the perspective of how difficult it is to undo any bad financial decisions, and an understanding of living life without instant gratification.

2. Regularly Check Your Credit Report

sailboat at sunset

In order to start your financial life off on the right foot, it's smart to know how to check your credit report. Keeping track of any credit errors or reporting mistakes will ensure that the credit history you're building is accurate. You don't want to be caught off guard when you apply for a new job, or buy your first home, so get into a routine of regularly checking your credit report, and keeping track of your credit score. If you find errors or mistakes, you can get them corrected so they won't taint your credit.

3. Have a Working Emergency Fund

We all know the importance of having an emergency fund, but saving up a good cash reserve isn't always easy. After setting parameters for what constitutes an emergency expense, there will no doubt be times when you'll have to pull out the funds to cover these unexpected costs. Now you're faced with having to put the money back into the account for later use.

4. Start Contributing to Retirement

No matter how small your contributions, you must start saving for retirement now! Time is the most precious investment tool on your side, so the sooner you start saving for your future, the more time you'll have to earn a decent return. We encourage you to open a Seacoast Savings Account and start putting away anything your budget will allow, to create a regular habit of saving money.

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5. Track Your Spending

Budgeting. It's not a word that many of us like to hear, but it's nonetheless a vital milestone in becoming a young adult. Tracking your spending and creating a budget plan will allow you to spend money based on your priorities instead of frivolously spending it on stuff that you don't really value.

A few of the responsibilities of being an adult include paying your bills on time and sticking to a budget. That's the only way you'll be able to reach all of your financial goals, like traveling, saving up for a big purchase, making a career transition, and putting away money for a comfortable retirement.
 

6. Establish a Side Income

The economy and workforce has changed, there's no doubt about that. In order to adapt with that change, many young adults are learning new skills and figuring out how to build their careers. Having multiple streams of income will help you spread out the risk of lost income.

Do you have any hobbies that can be monetized? What skills do you possess that can help you earn more money? Outside of your day job, what other things can you pursue to establish profitable income streams? This is an important milestone for everyone working towards a secure financial state by 40.
 

7. Know Your Net Worth

The definition of net worth is simply the combination of your total assets minus any debts you owe. This figure will be your total net worth value, which could either be positive or negative depending on whether or not you have a lot of debt (say, from student loans) or a good amount of assets (like, savings or investment accounts).

If you don't know your current net worth, do a simple calculation today. Then keep updating this figure (using a spreadsheet or other net worth tracker) every quarter so you stay up-to-date on your overall financial situation.

What milestones are you working towards, and which ones have you checked off the list?
Seacoast Bank is here as a partner and resource in helping you navigate your financial future. Call us now at 800.706.9991 to discuss any finance and banking needs or questions - local Florida bankers are standing by. 

WiseBread is an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website.
Read the 
original article on WiseBread. Copyright 2015.

 

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