30 Financial Tips That Women Should Know By Age 30

When we're young, we often think about 30 as the age when we need to have it all figured out. However, when that birthday is approaching, it can seem like we're not nearly as far into adulthood as we might hope. We may think that there are certain pieces of knowledge we ought to have at this point in our lives. If you're approaching this age, or want to start preparing early, here is a list of things that you should know. If you're past 30, it's never too later, find out what you need to catch up on.

30 Pieces of Financial Knowledge That Women Should Know By 30

• A woman can make it on her own financially, even if she doesn't have to.
• You need to keep your finger on your finances, even if you have a significant other who handles them.
• How you can deal with a personal financial crisis, like suddenly losing your job.
• How to make a budget and how to stick to it.
• How to set up an emergency fund and how to keep it full.
• How to read a bank statement and how to complain when something on it is wrong.
• How long it will take you to pay down any credit cards you have paying only the minimum balance.
• How debt collection and bankruptcy work, even if you're in a good financial place.
• How to get your taxes done every year without going crazy.
• How to establish credit in your own name, even if you also share credit cards with a spouse.
• How much risk you're prepared to tolerate in terms of investments.
• That you're going to need money for retirement at some point and you'll need strategies to save for it.
• How you're going to make up for any time you spend out of the work force, at least in terms of retirement.
• How much having a family costs, even if kids aren't in the cards.
• What legal protections are out there specifically for women, like whether your state has laws guaranteeing you maternity leave.
• How to negotiate a raise, even if it feels like you shouldn't ask for more money.
• How to leave a job you hate, preferably with another one lined up.
• How to get a copy of your credit report and how to dispute incorrect information on it.
• What cosigning a loan means - and when to refuse to do it.
• How to recognize the signs of identity theft and how to address them.
• What the pros and cons of owning a house versus renting an apartment.
• What your parents' retirement plans are and whether you're going to need to help them.
• Who is responsible for you and your finances if something makes you incapable of taking care of yourself.
• How to reach a lawyer, an accountant and an insurance agent, even if you don't routinely need their help.
• How to negotiate a big purchase (like a car or a house), even when the other side underestimates you.
• How to sell something you don't need any longer.
• What it would take for you to start your own business, even if you're not ready to make the leap.
• What your options for health insurance are and how to make the most of them, even when they're bad.
• Where to get financial information and advice that you trust.
• What your financial priorities are and what's the next step you need to take to reach them.

The Bottom Line

There aren't always classes you can take for learning these things. You may need to go figure out how to learn some of these things yourself, because they make a world of difference in how you can get from the ramen-every-night college era to something much better. Each of us will make very different financial decisions over the course of our lives, but having this knowledge will make those decisions much easier.

Source: Investopedia

7 Ways To Spring Clean Your Life

Clean up your relationships

Many of us cling on to friendships and relationships well past their use-by date, believing that quantity is more important than quality when it comes to the people in our lives. However, if you are holding on to relationships that no longer make you feel good, it may be time to let them go. If you think you may just be going through a rough patch then it is worth talking things through with your partner or friend; however, if they have been bringing you down for a while and there’s no resolution in sight, it may be time to focus on those people who make you happy instead.

Dust off your talents

From ballet classes to music lessons, children are always rushing about from one activity to the next. Yet as we get older, many of us abandon the hobbies and interests we used to love in favour of a growing list of chores and obligations. To add some fun back in to your routine, try starting up an activity again that you used to enjoy or be good at. If you find that your passion is no longer there then move on to something else – with so many hobbies out there to try, you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.

Straighten out your finances

If you want to start afresh with a clean slate and a clear mind, one of the best things you can do is to get your finances in order. While it may be scary to assess your financial situation, going on in ignorance will only cause your worries to eat away at you and may even lead to a worse situation further down the road. Bite the bullet and, if necessary, set yourself a budget for the next few months or so. Make a plan to cut down on anything that you don’t need to be splurging on, such as your morning cup of coffee or that fancy store-bought lunch.

Declutter your mind

Many of us harbour negative emotions over time such as anger, jealousy and hatred; however these emotions are not only worthless, they can also be detrimental to your health and happiness. Try to realise that these feelings aren’t adding anything to your life and let go of any negative emotions or grudges you have been holding. Also, find a method to deal with any anxiety and stress, such as through yoga, meditation or counselling.  Remember that worrying won’t change the future; it will only ruin the present.

Clear your schedule

How are you spending your time? Is it on things worth spending it on? The truth is that many of us go through our lives wasting precious hours on things that don’t matter and then complaining that we can’t fit in things that do. Rather than letting your time slip away unnoticed, mentally go through your week and work out how you spend your time, writing down everything you do and how long you spend on it. Once you have your week written out in front of you, you can identify how to maximise your hours, what to cut back on and how to make room for more valuable activities.

Spruce up your diet

Whether due to lack of inspiration or habit, we often end up eating the same meals over and over with little variation in our diets. However, repeatedly sticking to the same foods may mean that you are missing out on certain nutrients and it will also lessen your enjoyment of meals. To liven up your mealtimes and boost your inspiration for cooking, try experimenting with different foods you have never tasted and interesting new recipes. If you are a snackaholic this may be the perfect time to start sampling some healthy replacements for those biscuits and crisps!

Get rid of clutter

While you’re dusting off the other areas of your life it’s a great time to have a traditional spring clean and clear out any household clutter. Throw away or give to charity anything you don’t use anymore (including clothes you’ve been waiting for years for the “right occasion” to wear!), clear your kitchen cupboards of junk food and re-arrange the furniture to freshen up your home. Not only will this give you space for more useful things, but decluttering your home can also boost your mental health.