载自新洲日报投资致富2019年8月19日第24页 |
In general, we must have a minimum of three months of living expenses as an emergency fund. What is the cost of living? This must include the basic needs of food, clothing, housing and transportation but exclude unnecessary expenses. It would be better if you could accumulate the value of living expenses for six months. But in this article, it seems like average American can't even take out half a month's needs. Why? This is only can be found out from your daily consumption. You could only complete this by having the habit of tracking your expenses.
From the daily expenses records, look for those are not necessary items. Carefully study whether they can be avoided or reduced or not. My advice is that appropriate and meaningful consumption (such as travel, family gathering etc.) can be controlled. If there is no proper entertainment for the sack of savings, life will become meaningless.
Then there is debt restructuring. In terms of debt, you must be pragmatic. In particular, it is necessary to avoid meaningless debts (such as credit cards). It is important to reduce huge debts such as mortgages as soon as possible. The only thing that can be done is fully utilize how much you saved and pay as much as possible for the mortgage as soon as possible. I personally use this method to payoff my mortgage within five years. During this five years period, I lived frugally. But for me, I only suffered in that five years. Further, I was young and I didn't have a family burden (I was yet to get married). Therefore, I suggest young people who have not yet married to work hard for your better future. I have already cleared my mortgage at the age of 31. Therefore, I can focus on the financial accumulation. This is how I achieve my financial freedom today and be my own. In other words, time is definitely a friend of your financial success. The sooner you start, the greater your chances of success.
Many of my friends with similar age are envying me able to be free so early. I asked them what they were doing when I was a young and focusing on clearing my mortgage. They say that they enjoyed the joy of spending. So, this is the cause. There is a Chinese proverb that says work hard now and enjoy later. I am fully convinced on this.
So set your financial goals, draw your financial roadmap, and implement it at no time!