In a recent MoneyGeek survey, 40% of Gen Z respondents, those born between 1997 and 2021, said their biggest financial goals for 2022 are paying down debt, using a budget to spend less and becoming savvy investors. What led to those specific financial goals? Gen Zers said they were not satisfied with how they budgeted, invested and didn’t seek new job opportunities in 2021.
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3 Money Goals to Steal From Gen Zers
According to the survey, Gen Zers and Millennials are more likely to make 2022 financial resolutions than older Americans. It also revealed that some Americans had already started implementing financial improvements in 2021, such as cutting existing costs, comparison shopping, paying down debts and taking on side jobs to increase income.
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There are several financial strategies Gen Zers can do to achieve these financial goals now. Here are three money resolution goals and tech-savvy tips to increase savings, boost income, grow investments and improve financial standing in the new year and for years to come.
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1. Establish a Plan for How to Save and Spend Your Money
Being smart with your finances now can pay off later. Without a monthly budget it can be difficult to have a true sense of what you’re capable of saving and what you actually have to spend. Start with having a clear goal: Do you want to save up for something or just curb your spending habits? A budget can help you identify what’s important to you and how to realistically achieve it. Additionally, budgeting is a long-term method of building wealth.
An online budgeting guide is a good place to get started. A budgeting app, such as Mint, PocketGuard, Personal Capital or Dollarbird can also help you track your finances and establish personal finance goals.
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2. Using Digital Advantages to Boost Your Income
Many Gen Zers who grew up during the 2008 Great Recession and are now going through the economic impact of COVID-19 are more likely to have a conservative approach to spending. Growing up in economic uncertainty has shaped this generation’s savings habit and reputation for being thrifty.
A study by Gen Z planet on Gen Z’s spending habits uncovered that their disposable income in 2021 reached about $360 billion — $263 from part-time and full-time jobs and $40 million attributed to viable side hustles. As digital natives, Gen Z can take advantage of money-making opportunities that involve technology. A few ideas include:
- Helping people learn how to use an existing software or platform such as Microsoft Teams, WordPress, SalesForce, Asana or Excel.
- Creating niche content on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram or Youtube.
- Become a virtual assistant helping businesses and entrepreneurs with administrative tasks remotely.
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3. Find New Ways to Invest
You’ve got a handful of cash saved up and you’re ready to multiply it. If walking into an office talking with someone or having to manage your investments on your own makes you anxious — you’re not alone.
The good news: There are low-cost, easy-to-manage and mobile-friendly investment platforms that use algorithms to build investment portfolios customized to your goals.
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Investment Apps
Here are a few investment apps to consider and when they may be the most useful for you:
- Have a limited budget? Acorns may help. Acorns rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference. You can link it to your credit or debit card or PayPal account and also set up automatic investments from your bank account.
- Ready to invest? Try Stash. Start with $5 and have access to an educational platform that it’s easy to navigate and learn from.
- If you want your values reflected in your investments, Betterment is worth checking out. This socially responsible investing app helps users make a positive impact by allowing them to invest in things that matter to them, such as social equity, environmental awareness and social positivity.
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Start New Habits Now
2021’s money mistakes don’t have to derail you in 2022 — it can be the stepping- stone to put you on the path to wealth building. Add those three financial goals as your new year’s resolutions and use the resources to help you achieve short-term and long-term financial plans. If you set up a budget, find ways to increase your income and utilize free or low-cost investment tools and apps now, you’ll feel like a new you by the end of the year, and it’ll be a habit you can keep building on.
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This article originally appeared
on MoneyGeek.com and was syndicated
by MediaFeed.org.
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