MONEY SENSE

FINANCIAL PLANNING 5 steps in financial planning: ◊Assessing where you are now in financial terms ◊Setting goals ◊Creating a financial plan ◊Implementing the plan ◊Monitoring and reassessing

BENEFITS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING ℓHave more control of your financial affairs and be able to avoid excessive spending, unmanageable debts, bankruptcy or dependence on others ℓHave better personal relationships with people around you, such as your family, friends and colleagues

BENEFITS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING ℓHave a sense of freedom from financial worries ℓBe more effective in obtaining, using and protecting your financial resources throughout your lifetime.

LIFE STAGES AND FINANCIAL GOALS Each stage of your life presents different investment opportunities and challenges When you are in your 20s, you will be looking at money and spending it differently from when you get into your 50s When you are single, you probably want to have enough money to make a down payment for a car or go on a holiday with your friends

LIFE STAGES AND FINANCIAL GOALS After you get married, you may want to buy a house Later. When you have children, you would want to plan for their education and maybe even start a retirement fund As your needs are different your financial priorities will adjust to meet your varied needs at different points of your life

IMPORTANT OF CAREER PLANNING You need to have strategies for living your life Career planning is important so that you can increase your income-generating capability It is essential that you repay your student loan and pay your taxes In buying car, affordability is key There are other costs in maintaining a car, not just the loan installments

THE SIGNS OF GETTING INTO FINANCIAL TROUBLE Credit cards Paying only the minimum balance each month Increasing the outstanding balance each month Going over your credit limit Taking frequent cash advances Loans Using overdraft or automatic loan features on your current account frequently Receiving second or third payment notices from banks or creditor for non-payment of debts

THE SIGNS OF GETTING INTO FINANCIAL TROUBLE Savings Using up your savings at an alarming rate Having little or no savings to handle Unexpected expenses or emergencies Expenses Depending on part-time jobs, overtime, Commissions or bonuses to pay for your living expenses Living from paycheck to pay check

THE SIGNS OF GETTING INTO FINANCIAL TROUBLE Ignorance – Not talking to your spouse or family members about money problems or arguing when you talk about money to them – Not knowing how much money you owe until the bills arrive