25 Things You Should Never Do With Your Money

Roger Wohlner  Sat, June 29, 2024

Do enough digging and you’ll find that there is possibly an endless list of things you shouldn’t do with your money. From bad habits to decisions based on wishful thinking, some of the bigger missteps can really cost you.

To find out the biggest money mistakes you should avoid, GOBankingRates asked financial experts for their best advice.

Never Cash Your Paycheck Right Away

If you cash your paycheck right away, you might burn through it too quickly.

“You will most certainly spend it all if you cash your paycheck rather than have your employer directly deposit it into your bank account,” said Barbara Friedberg, a personal finance consultant. “Even better is to automatically transfer a percent of your paycheck into a retirement investment account and direct-deposit the remainder into a bank account.”

One advantage of having a workplace retirement plan, such as a 401(k), is that money is automatically deducted from your pay and invested. You don’t see it, so you won’t spend it. You can use a budgeting template to get the most mileage out of your paycheck.

Never Fall For ‘Special’ Finance Deals You Can’t Afford

I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Wish My Parents Would Have Taught Me

Cindy Lamothe   Fri, June 28, 2024 a

There’s no doubt that being born with a silver spoon in your mouth gives you a leg up in the world — but it can also have its downsides, financially speaking.

Growing up rich has many perks, but it can also hinder a person from learning essential money lessons.

GOBankingRates spoke with people who come from privilege but recognize their upbringing didn’t equip them with the necessary financial skills to set them up for long-term success. Read below for their insights on money lessons they wish they had learned.

Appreciating the Value of Money

“Having grown up in a wealthy family and now working for my own business, I have unique insights into the financial lessons often missed when money is readily available,” said Ben Hilton, founder and managing director of Switch Jam Digital.

How To Achieve Financial Freedom: 9 Steps Towards Financial Independence

Sheiresa McRae Ngo   Thu, June 27, 2024   Bankrate

If you’re like many people, you dream about reaching a point where you don’t have to worry about money, and you can quit your 9-to-5. According to Bankrate’s recent Financial Success Survey, 41 percent of Americans would consider themselves financially successful when they never worry about their finances.

Most Americans say they wouldn’t feel secure until they’ve made at least $233,000 a year, according to Bankrate’s Financial Freedom Survey. To feel rich and financially free, Americans said they would need to earn an average of $483,000 a year.

Fortunately, it’s possible to achieve financial freedom. With careful planning, disciplined savings and wise investments, you can reach your goal. Here’s how you can become financially independent.

100 Ways To Live a Rich Life in Retirement — Without Spending All of Your Savings

Preston Hartwick   Tue, June 25, 2024 

You may have more free time when you retire, but retirement certainly isn’t free.

Around half of retirees report that their overall spending is higher than they anticipated, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. At the same time, the top concern of retirees is that the increased cost of living is making it harder to save money.

Ideally, you’ll have started preparing for retirement well before you hit the magic number. But even if you haven’t saved as much money as you would have liked, there are a multitude of ways to make your savings last.

While you may not be able to eat out at fancy restaurants every night or take big vacations every year, you can still live a rich, fulfilling life on a modest budget. Being smart with your money and taking advantage of free activities and experiences are keys to maintaining a satisfying lifestyle and healthy bank account balance.

7 Things You Must Do When You Start Making 6 Figures

Heather Taylor   Wed, June 26, 2024

Once your salary reaches $100,000, you need to take certain steps to ensure you keep building wealth and stay in good financial health.

There’s a chance you already might be making some of these money moves, even if you’re earning a little less. Make sure you start taking these actions as soon as you begin earning $100,000.

7 Things You Should Never Do in Retirement

Adam Palasciano   Tue, June 25, 2024

Retirement: A magical time of life when you no longer (necessarily) have to work for your money. Instead, decades of hard work coupled with saving and smart investments should mean that your money now works for you.

Careful financial planning can certainly lead you to this outcome. However, there are several things you’ll want to street clear of to ensure that you don’t end up in financial trouble after you call it quits at work.

Here are seven things you’ll want to seriously avoid if you’re approaching retirement or you’re already retired, according to Ameriprise and Think Bank.

I’m a Wealthy Millennial: 4 Financial Skills I’m Passing Down to My Children

Heather Taylor   Mon, June 24, 2024

Gen Alpha, and future generations to come, may be on track to receive the financial literacy they deserve.

A new study from Bank of America titled the “2024 Study of Wealthy Americans” reveals emerging trends around generational wealth and its influence on financial strategies. Data from the 2024 quantitative survey shows that 48% of wealthy Americans said they would initiate the conversation when it comes to teaching their children or heirs financial skills.

What kinds of financial skills are wealthy Americans planning to pass down to their children or heirs? GOBankingRates spoke to Dave Fortin, the millennial co-founder of investing app FutureMoney and a new dad, to learn more about the financial skills he plans to pass down to his children.

I’m a Self-Made Millionaire but Received No Formal Financial Education – 5 Resources I Used To Teach Myself

Brooke Barley  Mon, June 24, 2024

Did you know that there are 24.5 million millionaires in the United States? That means every 7 out of 100 people have millions in wealth at their disposal. How can you become one of them?

You might think that to amass a million dollars, you have to go to the right schools, take the right internships and get in on the ground floor somewhere right after college. That’s one path, but it’s not one that everyone takes. Some millionaires never take one business course at a university and still end up with a fortune.

I’m a self-made millionaire who received no financial training,” Stan Dzhishkaryani said. Despite no financial training, Dzhishkaryani is the founder and CEO of DZ Moving, a moving and logistics management company. “My financial acumen was based a lot on making lifestyle adjustments such as living a minimalist lifestyle and prioritizing health, which made a big difference.”

Ohio Woman Wins $15M Jackpot But Will Take Home Just $4.5M After Taxes — Did She Throw Money Down The Drain?

Bethan Moorcraft   Sat, June 22, 2024

Lady Luck was present and accounted for when a woman from Sandusky, Ohio, won big in the state’s 50th Anniversary scratch-off game in June.

The winner, identified only as Jeanne, dropped to the floor when she realized she’d won a $15 million jackpot from a $50 scratch-off card, according to the Ohio Lottery Commission.

When she took the winning card to the clerk at Friendship #83 in Sandusky, they “both just cried,” Jeanne said in a press release. “There were people in line looking at me like I lost my mind.”

Jeanne had two options for how to claim her enormous prize: she could take an annuity of $600,000 for 25 years (which would total $15 million), or she could take a lump sum of about $7.5 million.

She opted for the $7.5 million cash option, a sum that will actually shrink to around $4.5 million, Moneywise estimates, once she’s paid her federal and state taxes.

That $10.5 million difference between the advertised $15 million prize and her eventual winnings begs the question, did she throw money down the drain by picking the lump sum?