Beware of making these money mistakes

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#1
The Straits Times
www.straitstimes.com
Published on Apr 07, 2013
Beware of making these money mistakes


The top regret for many people is not saving enough money for their retirement, a recent survey of financial mistakes conducted in the United States showed.

"The biggest thing we found from almost all age brackets is folks are not saving enough for retirement," says Mr Scott Thoma, investment strategist for Edward Jones, according to a Fox Business report.

Here are ways to get finances back on track, Fox Business says.

Mistake No.1: Not tracking spending
Thirty-five per cent of survey respondents in the 18-to-34-year-old bracket cited not paying enough attention to their spending as their biggest money mistake.

Most people view each purchase in isolation as they go throughout their day, says Mr Thoma, not realising their purchases are adding up to a hefty tab.

To help get a better picture of your spending habits and identify any unnecessary spending, track every purchase for two weeks.

"If you were saving an extra US$100 a month, that could mean an extra US$100,000 for retirement," says Mr Thoma. "It's as simple as a cup of coffee a day."

Mistake No. 2: Carrying too much debt
While there are acceptable debts like a mortgage or car payment, many consumers are overspending on credit cards and carrying a balance and end up paying a lot more than they owe with high interest rates.

To get out from under that debt, Mr Thoma advises tracking spending and creating a budget that includes paying down debt - starting with the credit cards with the highest interest rate.

"If you are paying 18 per cent on a credit card, that's the first place that needs to be addressed because your are not earning an 18 per cent return on an investment," he explains.

Mistake No. 3: Bad investments
Everyone likes to think they are savvy investors, but most of us are too emotionally involved to be effective investors.

Mr Thoma says: "Whenever the market is up, they feel good, and whenever risk rises, they want to get out."

He advises people to avoid reacting to every market gyration.

"You can't let the outside environment dictate every single change you make," he says.
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#2
My two rules to avoid losing big money to scams:

1. Money dont come looking for you
2. Beware of counterparty risk
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#3
Spending within your means is wrong to me.
You don't have money left over for anything.
Tracking your money spent is a must (even a rough monthly estimate ) if not how do you know you are spending below your means.
No debts are good debts to me even though some people take the "risk" & win.
But for young people now buying even an HDB flat can't escape the mortgage debt.
So spending below your means is a must in order to be able to save to invest; no matter what is the amount.
WB:-

1) Rule # 1, do not lose money.
2) Rule # 2, refer to # 1.
3) Not until you can manage your emotions, you can manage your money.

Truism of Investments.
A) Buying a security is buying RISK not Return
B) You can control RISK (to a certain level, hopefully only.) But definitely not the outcome of the Return.

NB:-
My signature is meant for psychoing myself. No offence to anyone. i am trying not to lose money unnecessary anymore.
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#4
My personal approach:
1. Set target on how much you could save per month and per year. Once you have set a realistic target, it would be earlier to control your spending.

2. Avoid spending on big ticket items if possible. I can afford a car without loans and I choose not to. I choose to take public transport so that I could use my money for better purpose like investment, etc.
There is alternative like get a taxis/even call cab is still cheaper than owning a car.

3. Take CPF money to invest and set your target capital gain/yield gain. If the investment missed your target, rebalanced your portfolio. However, this will need knowledge and understanding.

You might gain a free HDB or property along the way (use CPF for investment) Wink

4. Set target on when you plan to retire (can do other things you interested in and not depending on your job to bring bread on the table). Work towards this goal.

Just my 2 cents.
失信于民,何以取信于天下...
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#5
Musicwhiz

Like you said before, the rules are fairly common sense to many but not easy to implement consistently.

If humans simply obey rules and not sway by emotions , then many industries like advertising, direct sales, etc will not survive. They need humans to respond to them (as fast as possible).

You wont agree on this ?
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#6
(07-04-2013, 05:53 PM)byfaith Wrote: Musicwhiz

Like you said before, the rules are fairly common sense to many but not easy to implement consistently.

If humans simply obey rules and not sway by emotions , then many industries like advertising, direct sales, etc will not survive. They need humans to respond to them (as fast as possible).

You wont agree on this ?

Hmm, yes good point thanks. So I guess we have to "beat the crowd" by drowning out all the emotional advertising which appeals to our senses and psyche/ego. But admittedly, it's not easy.
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
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#7
(07-04-2013, 06:49 PM)Musicwhiz Wrote:
(07-04-2013, 05:53 PM)byfaith Wrote: Musicwhiz

Like you said before, the rules are fairly common sense to many but not easy to implement consistently.

If humans simply obey rules and not sway by emotions , then many industries like advertising, direct sales, etc will not survive. They need humans to respond to them (as fast as possible).

You wont agree on this ?

Hmm, yes good point thanks. So I guess we have to "beat the crowd" by drowning out all the emotional advertising which appeals to our senses and psyche/ego. But admittedly, it's not easy.

Recently just went through a book about money for kids with my eldest. In one section on spending, the author is advocating that when want to spend on certain thing, think of what else can the money be spend on, or are there other cheaper alternative of the same thing. See if my eldest can learn that.
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#8
"Recently just went through a book about money for kids with my eldest. In one section on spending, the author is advocating that when want to spend on certain thing, think of what else can the money be spend on, or are there other cheaper alternative of the same thing. See if my eldest can learn that."

Good one...will share with my children.
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