Your net worth is one of the most critical numbers in your life. It measures how much money you have compared to your debts and other liabilities. A high net worth means you’re in a good place financially, while a low net worth means you may be in trouble.
You can do many things to increase your net worth, from paying off debt to investing in stocks or real estate. Here are some tips for improving your net worth and becoming more financially secure.
1. Pay off your debts
Debt is a significant drag on your net worth. The interest you pay on credit cards, loans, and other debts can eat up a substantial portion of your income. That’s money that could be going into savings or investments. So even if you think you can handle your debt, getting rid of it as soon as possible is still a good idea.
According to Jarret Austin, Owner of Bankruptcy Canada, Inc.,“One of the best ways to pay off debt is to focus on the debts with the highest interest rates first. This will save you money in the long run.” You may also consider combining your debts into one loan with a lower interest rate. This can make it easier to manage your debt and pay it off more quickly.
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2. Invest in stocks or real estate
Investing is a great way to grow your wealth. When you invest, you’re buying a piece of a company or a property that has the potential to increase in value over time. Over the long term, stocks have averaged returns of about 10% per year.
Real estate is another excellent investment. Like stocks, real estate can appreciate over time. And, unlike stocks, real estate also provides the benefit of generating rental income.
For example, if you purchase a property for $200,000 and it appreciates by 5% per year, it will be worth $210,000 after one year. And if you rent out the property for $1,500 per month, you’ll have an annual rental income of $18,000.
“Since 1957, when 500 stocks were added to the index, the average annualized return has been 11.88%”, explains Nate Tsang, Founder & CEO of WallStreetZen.
3. Build up your savings
Your savings account is a vital part of your financial security. It’s a place to store money for emergencies and unexpected expenses. Having a healthy savings account can also help you reach your financial goals.
There are a couple of things you can do to build up your savings. First, ensure you contribute to a 401(k) or another retirement account. This will help you save for the future and may also offer tax benefits. Second, set up a budget and automatically transfer a fixed amount of money into your savings account each month. This will help you make saving a habit.
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4. Increase your income
One of the best ways to increase your net worth is to make more money. If you can find ways to bring in additional income, you’ll be in a much better position to save money and pay off debt.
According to Daniel Apke, CEO of Land Investing Online : “An increased income gives you more leverage for time and opportunities that might present themselves.”
There are a few different ways to do this. If you’re employed, you may be able to get a raise or promotion. You can also look for ways to earn more money through side hustles or freelance work. Finally, you may want to consider starting your own business. This can be a great way to make a lot of money if you’re successful.
5. Reduce your expenses
You need to focus on both sides of the equation to increase your net worth. That means not only improving your income but also reducing your expenses.
Brian Nagele, CEO of Restaurant Clicks professes that “fiscal discipline is key to any business endeavor, and without it, the risk of ruin increases exponentially each year”.
One of the best ways to reduce expenses is to create a budget and stick to it. Doing so will help track your spending to ensure you’re not overspending on unnecessary things. You may also consider saving money on essential expenses, like groceries and transportation. Finally, if you have bad credit, figure out how to repair your own credit.
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6. Create a retirement plan
Finally, to retire comfortably, you must start planning for retirement now. The sooner you start saving, the more time your money has to grow.
Mark Pierce, CEO of Cloud Peak Law Group advises that “people should always plan for both foreseen and unforeseen events.” It only makes sense to plan your retirement which is a certainty.
There are a few different ways to save for retirement. The most common is through a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you have a 401(k), your employer may match a certain percentage of your contributions. This free money can help you reach your retirement goals more quickly.
The bottom line on increasing your net worth
Saving for retirement may seem like a long-term goal, but it’s essential to start planning now. The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow. And the more you can save, the more comfortable your retirement will be.
Creating a budget, reducing your expenses, and increasing your income are great ways to free up money to save for retirement. But the most important thing is to start now. The sooner you start saving, the better off you’ll be.
The information and content provided herein is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, or financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement. Breeze does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness of any testimonials, opinions, advice, product or service offers, or other information provided here by third parties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel.
