Introduction
Financial literacy is an important life skill that allows us to make well-informed decisions about our money. Yet, finance is filled with complex terminology and concepts that can be overwhelming for beginners. Understanding the basics puts us in control of our financial futures and prevents confusion or exploitation.
Learning essential financial terms and principles is the first step towards gaining confidence over personal finances. It empowers us to budget efficiently, manage debt, save and invest wisely, and set long term financial goals. Even simple practices like reviewing bank statements or computing interest become more accessible. As we demystify the jargon, financial inclusion is improved for everyone.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. This term refers to the total cost of a loan, including the interest rate and any additional fees or charges, expressed as an annual rate.
The APR provides a standardized way to compare different loans and credit offers. It represents the true yearly cost of borrowing money.
APR differs from the interest rate in a few key ways:
- The interest rate only shows the cost of the actual interest charged on the loan. The APR includes the interest rate plus any other costs like origination fees or discount points.
- The APR expresses the cost as an annual rate, taking into account compounding interest. The stated interest rate may not include compounding.
- The APR shows the full cost over the entire year, while an interest rate may be shown as monthly, weekly, daily or some other time period.
So in summary, APR gives you the complete cost of the loan over a full year, while the interest rate just shows the cost of the interest. Looking at the APR instead of just the interest rate allows borrowers to accurately compare lending offers.
Compound Interest
Compound interest is a method of calculating interest that builds on itself over time. With compound interest, any interest earned gets added to the principal investment, so it also earns interest from that point on. This creates a snowball effect where the original investment “compounds” and grows exponentially over time.
The difference between compound and simple interest is quite significant. With simple interest, only the original principal earns interest. Compound interest allows interest to accrue on both the principal and any accumulated interest from previous periods.
Compound interest can have an enormous impact over long time periods. Even a small rate of return compounding year after year can result in far greater gains compared to simple interest on the same investment. This is why long-term investing, retirement accounts, and other financial vehicles use compound interest to grow savings substantially over time.
The power of compounding shows why starting to save early is so important. More time allows interest to build on itself and multiply returns. Albert Einstein is even quoted as calling compound interest “the most powerful force in the universe.” Compounding transforms investments by generating exponentially higher value compared to simple interest over the long run.
Asset Allocation
Asset allocation refers to how an investment portfolio is divided among different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. The goal of asset allocation is to create a balanced mix of asset classes that helps investors maximize returns while managing risk.
There are three major asset classes that make up most investment portfolios:
- Stocks represent ownership shares in publicly-traded companies. Stocks are considered riskier investments that can provide growth over long time periods.
- Bonds are fixed income investments where investors loan money to corporations or governments in exchange for periodic interest payments. Bonds are generally lower risk than stocks.
- Cash equivalents include assets that can quickly and easily be converted into cash, like money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and short-term government bonds. Cash equivalents are very low risk investments.
The way an investment portfolio allocates money among these three asset classes greatly impacts its overall risk and return potential. Younger investors may allocate more heavily to stocks for higher returns, while investors nearing retirement may shift a larger portion to lower-risk bonds and cash.
Most financial experts recommend holding a diverse mix of asset classes and rebalancing periodically as needs change. Proper asset allocation aligns investments with an investor’s time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals. It helps manage risks while generating sufficient returns to meet objectives. With a carefully constructed asset allocation strategy, investors can work towards growing their wealth over time.
Diversification
Diversification is an investing technique used to reduce risk and maximize returns by investing across different asset classes and sectors. The key idea behind diversification is to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.
By spreading your investments across different asset classes like stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash equivalents, you reduce the impact that any one investment or asset class can have on your overall portfolio. For example, if you only invest in stocks, your entire portfolio could take a big hit when stock prices fall during a downturn. But if you also hold some bonds, real estate, and cash, you cushion the blow from declining stock prices.
Diversification works because different asset classes often perform differently in the same market conditions. When stocks are down, bonds might go up or stay stable. So diversification smooths out the volatility in your portfolio’s value over time.
It’s also important to diversify within asset classes. For stocks, you can diversify by market cap (large cap, mid cap, small cap), sectors (tech, healthcare, energy), industries (software, biotech), and geography (US, international). This reduces your exposure to risks associated with any single company, sector, or country.
By building a diversified portfolio, you can achieve better risk-adjusted returns over the long run. While some investments may perform poorly, others will hopefully perform well during the same period, leading to more consistent returns. Diversification is a foundational investing concept used by institutional investors and individuals alike to reduce portfolio risk.
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is money set aside to cover unexpected expenses and financial emergencies. It provides a buffer so you don’t have to take on debt or deplete your savings when an unplanned need arises.
Purpose of an Emergency Fund
The key purpose of an emergency fund is to provide financial security and peace of mind. When you have money set aside for emergencies, you don’t have to stress as much about surprise costs. An emergency fund can help you cover:
- Emergency medical expenses like an injury or illness not fully covered by your insurance
- Unexpected car repairs
- Temporary loss of income due to losing a job or reduced hours
- Home repairs like a broken water heater or AC unit
- Other financial shocks and unplanned bills
Having an emergency fund prevents you from going into debt or having to liquidate assets on short notice when financial surprises inevitably happen.
Recommended Amount to Save
Financial experts often recommend having 3-6 months worth of living expenses saved in your emergency fund. This gives you a healthy buffer to handle most emergencies without going into debt.
Aim to save enough to cover your essential expenses for multiple months. This includes costs like rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, insurance, medical copays, and transportation.
The exact target amount depends on your income stability. For example, if you have a stable job, 3 months of expenses may be sufficient. If your income fluctuates or you are self-employed, aim for 6 months of expenses to be safe.
Best Places to Keep Money for Easy Access
When saving an emergency fund, it’s important to keep the money accessible so you can withdraw it quickly when needed. The best places to save your emergency fund include:
- High-yield savings accounts – This pays more interest than a regular savings account while keeping your money liquid. Choose an online bank like Ally, Marcus, or Discover for higher yields.
- Money market deposit accounts – These also pay higher interest rates than regular savings accounts and allow easy access to your money.
- Short-term, low-risk bond funds – These provide modest returns while limiting risk. You can quickly sell your shares if needed.
- Prepaid debit cards – These act like prepaid credit cards so your money stays protected but available.
The key is choosing options with no barriers to withdrawal. Avoid tying up your emergency fund in investments, retirement accounts, CDs, or other accounts with withdrawal penalties or restrictions.
Budgeting
A budget tracks income and spending to help manage finances. Budgets provide a clear picture of where money is going and how spending aligns with goals. Budgeting gives control over finances rather than spending aimlessly.
There are a few main budgeting methods:
- Zero-based budgeting – All income is budgeted for specific expenses, with no leftover amount. This ensures every dollar is accounted for through intentional spending.
- 50/30/20 budget – 50% of income covers needs, 30% goes toward wants, and 20% funds savings and debt repayment. This balances current costs with future goals.
- Reverse budgeting – Start by saving, then spend the leftover amount. This prioritizes building savings.
- Cash envelope system – Cash for monthly expenses like groceries, gas, etc. is divided into envelopes. Once an envelope empties, no more can be spent in that category.
Tips for sticking to any budget include tracking all expenses, avoiding impulse purchases, giving every dollar a purpose, being realistic with categories, and allowing some flexibility. Investing time in a budget leads to less financial stress and progress toward goals. Consistency is key – reevaluate and adjust monthly or quarterly. A budget provides structure without feeling restrictive.
Conclusion
By learning key financial terms and concepts, you’re on your way to empowering yourself and taking control of your finances. In this article, we covered several foundational topics:
- APR – The annual rate charged for borrowing money or paid on savings, shown as a percentage of the amount lent or saved.
- Compound Interest – Interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of preceding periods. It enables money to grow faster over time.
- Asset Allocation – The distribution of investments among various asset classes like stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. It helps manage portfolio risk.
- Diversification – Investing in a variety of assets and securities to reduce overall risk. It’s the old adage of not putting all your eggs in one basket.
- Emergency Fund – Money set aside to cover unexpected expenses and financial shocks so you don’t have to take on debt. Generally 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.
- Budgeting – Recording income and expenses to gain visibility into where your money comes from and goes. It helps align spending with financial goals.
Gaining financial literacy pays dividends. It enables you to better manage debt, save and invest for the future, and weather unexpected circumstances. Keep expanding your knowledge. Useful resources include books, magazines, financial websites, courses, and working with a financial advisor. The more educated you become about personal finance, the more empowered you’ll feel.