2023 is here and looking back to your finances in 2023, has there been any significant changes? Fret not if it’s not as well as your expectations, make your 2023 financial plans right by following these 4 steps!
Start by making your 2023 financial plans right by following these 4 steps! Set your finances are right and most of your other issues will be a breeze.
As the saying goes: “Money can’t solve everything, but it sure makes thing easier.”
First on the list: Look into existing expenses
Go through your iBanking statement or expenses spreadsheet (if you have one). Calculate all the fixed and recurring expenses that you have paid for. These fixed expenses include telco bills, insurance policies premiums, mortgage, groceries etc.
Are there any monthly/ annual costs incurred that are not relevant to your lifestyle anymore? These include Gym membership that you no longer frequent, magazine subscription that you barely flip a couple of pages. Keep track and remove impulsive recurring fees you chalk up over the years.
Can any of those recurring fees be reduced to improve your cash flow?
Nobody wishes to work for a lifetime without pleasure, but having control over your discretionary spendings can make the difference between early retirement or working until you drop.
Moving on: Forcast your inflows
Now that you know where your money is going to, take a look at your statement again for your income. This includes dividend or income from your unit trust funds investments, maturity proceeds from your insurance plans or side gigs you have been working on.
This will give you a rough idea of how much you bring in every month, which allows better financial budgeting. If your expenses are more than your earnings, say hello to debts.
Aim to keep 20%-40% of your income free from fixed expenses. However, ensure that a reasonable budget has been set aside for your future wealth accumulation goals.
Prepare for the worst: Plan for the unexpected
No matter how perfectly you have planned your budgeting, shit happens. Always set aside some emergency funds from your savings for unexpected expenses like hospitalisation or retrenchment.
Set aside 3 to 6 months of your monthly expenses in a bank account, in the event of an emergency.
Get yourself and your dependents covered by an integrated shield plan so as to not wiped up your savings in terms of major illness or prolonged hospitalization. If your budget allows, seek coverage for critical illness and Early Critical illness coverage. Proper financial planning is certainly within the budget of an average income earner.
Lastly: Keep track of your expenses
Make it a habit to keep track of your expenses regularly. If you are always lost in your spendings, use an app that can help you keep track of expenses. Know the shortfall or surplus every month so that you can adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
Look into the various mode of wealth accumulation to reduce the effects of inflation on your hard-earned saving. This can be done by assigning a part of your monthly surplus either into monthly savings plans or regular investment policies to keep up with the erosion of your purchasing power.
Compounding returns, over a long time horizon, can make a real difference to your wealth.
Not sure where to start?
Learn out starting out on your financial planning journey. You can also Drop us a message to us and let InterestGuru.sg assign an licensed financial adviser to work out your financial plans and goals.
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