Young adults born between 1960 and 1980, so-called “post boomers” or “Generation Xers,” face a variety of challenges in their quest for financial security—especially those preparing to get married. Some of these challenges are similar to those faced by previous generations, while others are unique to the times. If you are a Generation Xer “on your way to the altar,” here are some financial tips to help you manage your money and plan for the future of you and your potential spouse.
Invest in your future. Okay, you have a good job, but who knows where tomorrow’s opportunities may lie? Moreover, ongoing technological changes in many fields will require continuous upgrading of education and specific work skills. One way to improve your job and career prospects is to give a high priority to furthering your education. The more varied and flexible your skills, the more attractive you will be to prospective employers.
Start an emergency/opportunity fund. The uncertainty surrounding the world of work will quite likely mean your working life may be punctuated by a series of job and career changes. If you need to go to school full-time to change career paths, you may have stretches of time without stable income. Building up an emergency fund (while fully employed) to cover three to six months’ of “bare bones” living expenses can help you control work-related transitions. This type of savings fund can also be used for opportunities such as starting your own business.
Save early and continuously for retirement. If you aren’t aware of it yet, welcome to the reality that saving for retirement is a responsibility that falls squarely on your shoulders. Even in 401(k) plans that have employer-matching contributions, the bulk of the funding will be left up to you through tax-deferred salary reductions. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Social Security raises questions about what kind of retirement benefits the government may provide 30-40 years from now. While that may seem like a long way off, the key is to make time your ally.
Remember, what you accumulate during your working years will be the primary source of your income for your retirement years. And, even if inflation stays low and averages just 3% annually far into the future, prices will still double about every 24 years, cutting the purchasing power of your retirement funds.
Let retirement funds accumulate. If you change jobs early and/or often in your working years, consider rolling over your account into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), the new company’s plan, or leave the money in your existing plan. It may be tempting to cash in the account, especially if you have accumulated only a small amount, but doing so would make it immediately taxable, and you may also incur an early withdrawal tax penalty. However, the greater concern is that you would also be “cashing in” part of your most important ally—time. It is also important that both you and your spouse (if working) take advantage of any employer-sponsored retirement programs.
Use credit cards wisely. Beginning in college, young adults are targeted by credit card companies, so that by the time you prepare to marry you may already be in debt from credit cards. While they may often be a great convenience (it seems virtually impossible to conduct some transactions such as airline ticket reservations without one), they have the potential to create debt problems. Because payments can be stretched out far into the future, over-spending on credit can create an illusion of wealth. Paying off the full balance each month (except for emergency situations) is the best way to control your use of credit.
Learning some basics about personal finance and applying some sound judgement should help you feel more hopeful about your financial future.
Important Disclosures:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing.
All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax planning or legal advice. We suggest that you consult with a qualified tax or legal advisor.
LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial.
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