Teenagers have an advantage over their parents. They can look ahead to a life of wealth and success if they have the fortitude to plan a solid financial strategy while still in college or university. Unfortunately, few teens consider the need to save or build a portfolio of investments when party life beckons and the urge to keep up with the latest technological marvels keep them from saving.
Sound investment practices don’t seem very appealing, but the teenage who starts early can realize wealth and retirement sooner. Today’s world throws a lot of obstacles in the way of the working man or woman who wants to realize financial success. The burden of making ends meet are a constant challenge for many adults. This makes it important that teens begin making their investment strategies early so they don’t face a lifetime of financial struggle.
The teen still in college needs to be aware of the many lifestyle changes that will occur after graduation. Marriage, starting a family, the purchase of a car to get to work and a home must be planned for while they are still in school. One of the best ways to start is through communication with their parents who know a lot more about the way the world works.
What few teens understand is that money is not just for spending. They feel that living at home gives them license to spend more. They lose sight of the need to salt away a part of their allowance or part of their working salary. Since they live at home, most of the money they make can be put into investments that produce a decent rate of interest. Learning to track spending is one of the best ways to develop the discipline needed for a better financial future.
A teen can do well to establish a working relationship with an honest financial adviser or a banker. Developing a good relationship helps create a foundation on which wealth can accumulate. Parents and advisers can help the teen learn about handling and using money wisely. Their knowledge can help the young man or woman tailor an investment plant that meets their needs and grows with them as they enter the workforce.
In today’s technological age, there are a number of websites that offer investment advice, but there are many get rich quick schemes that trap teens into losing their money. Teens need to seek for expert advice before they decide to purchase any stocks through low-cost investment firms such as itrade.
The cardinal rule for every teen is to only buy what they can afford. Many teens are saddled with large student loans and don’t realize the extra debt burden they add when using credit cards. Too often the teenager’s expenses become too overwhelming to handle. Sadly, many a teen has no real savings by the time he or she graduates and faces a lifetime of debt.
Every teen should take a course to learn about investing and all the methods money can be used to increase capital. As they are in school, courses are available, even if those courses do not add to college credits. The education received can be invaluable throughout life.
Patience is an important key. Many teens feel they can make wise decisions like their parents, but learning about money and how to use it in a complicated world such as ours can lead to a life of hardship. Watching money grow may not seem exciting when it takes years to accumulate.
The younger the teen is, the better he or she has the chance to build up a solid financial future and a life of happiness and prosperity.