Four Common Financial Mistakes a Millennial should avoid

Are you still in your 20's and 30's? Then you must be in the point of your life where building and growing wealth is highly advantageous since you have the great amount of time on your side to save up and invest early. But if you are having a hard time managing your finances, it might be due to committing the following financial mistakes all over again.

Spending Money Too Much

Sure, it is very overwhelming to finally receive your salary and spend it the way you ever wanted especially if you grew up receiving ‘limited’ allowance from your parents way back school days. Now that your financial options have already widened due to your increased financial capability, you may resort trying new things out, which is actually fine. You have worked so hard to deserve the fruit of your labor through traveling, buying new belongings, going out with friends, and pampering your family with treats.

Though you are in a period where everything seems to be financially challenging, you should always try to make sure that you still have room for savings and investments. Spending for the things you want is never a bad way to expend your hard earned, but overspending is.

Resorting to debts

This is a result of spending too much -- debts. You may have encountered several deficits before having the next payday which will effect in borrowing money from your friends, co-worker, and even family members. If you’ll continue to overspend, instead of having that excitement, you’ll feel miserable when payday is already approaching since you know almost all of them will be used to pay your deficits.

There are many opportunities for you to have debts, starting from that co-worker who sells goodies encouraging you to just pay every payday, to that banker who constantly calls you to get a credit card. Debt for me means "Enjoy now, regret later", do you agree with me? Two of the most important things I can advise to my fellow millennials in order to avoid debt is to pay with cash always and to have an emergency fund.

Not saving for the rainy days

It is very easy to spend on splurges when you experience financial abundance, the feeling may be so overwhelming that you tend to delay having savings since you’re confident you’re still able to earn next time, but too many next times came and yet you’re still unable to make up for your financial excuses. Sounds familiar? That’s what you call financial procrastination.

Not investing in yourself

Though this does not directly point out as a form of money mismanagement, it is one of the roots why most millennials fail to grow financially -- by not having enough knowledge and skills to cope up with the increasing standard of the market's demand. Either it’s a new skillset, talent improvement, or craft mastery that you’re working on – whatever it is, investment in knowledge always pays the greatest dividends. Always try to discover new things that could contribute to your personal growth as an individual and as a professional. This way, you’ll be able to increase not just your market value but also the market opportunities that are waiting for you, allowing to expand your financial capabilities.

These are just some of the most common mistakes millennials commit financially. You may have committed one or more financial faults at the moment, but I would like to remind you that dealing with money mistakes is a path to progress. Do not let your financial journey be defined by your current financial situation. Accept and assess your current economic condition and look at the mistakes in a positive way. Of course, it will entail a lot of discipline and sacrifice, but it will always be worth it in the future.

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GIF Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5