3 Financial Recommendations for Millennials
Millennials, also known as Generation Y, face unique financial challenges as they enter the workforce and plan for the future. Student loan debt and a volatile job market can make it difficult to know where to start saving and investing. It’s notable why we’ve provided financial recommendations for
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, is one of the most successful investors. With his net worth of over $19.1 billion, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the financial world.
Dalio’s success can be attributed to his unique investment philosophy based on a combination of quantitative analysis and fundamental research. He consistently delivers solid returns for his clients, making Bridgewater Associates one of the world’s largest and most successful hedge funds.
Dalio’s investment philosophy is reflected in his personal life as he is a strong advocate of financial education and personal development. He publishes “Principles: Life and Work,” where he shares his personal and professional philosophies, and “The Changing World Order: Why States Succeed and Fail,” which analyzes the current political and economic situation. , and has written several books.
Here are three of his financial recommendations that best apply to millennials.
1. Decide how many socks you can afford
Learn about investments and personal finance. A final piece of advice from Dalio is to learn about investing and personal finance. This means understanding how money and markets work, learning about different investment options, and understanding the risks and rewards of each.
“Savings equals freedom and security,” says Dalio. “How much freedom and security do you need?”
“Ask yourself, ‘How long can I live off my savings without an income? How many months or years of freedom and security do I need? Make sure you have more than that.’ please.
“When I started working, I worked for six months to ensure the freedom and security of my savings. Then a few years later, I took the time to think about my children’s needs and calculated their numbers. ‘ explains Dario. “I saved up to get that amount. I encourage you to do the same.”
“Debt for consumption, or for anything that does not generate more income than it costs, is bad debt.” – Ray Dalio
Start saving early. One of the most important things millennials can do for the future is to start saving as soon as possible. However, keeping your money in cash is a terrible idea. Turn those savings into an investment. Dalio says: [or stocks] Bonds will have higher returns and real estate will have higher returns than cash,” he explains. The stock market offers no guarantees, but from 1928 to 2017, the S&P 500 Index produced an average annual total return of 9.8%. ”
The power of compounded returns from investments means that the sooner you start saving and investing, the more money will grow. For example, if you start saving $100 a month at age 25 and earn an average annual return of 7% by age 65, you could save about $250,000 or more. But if you wait to save that same amount by age 35, you’ll only have about $120,000 by age 65. [1]
Of course, the more you save and the higher the return, the faster your capital grows through compound interest. To fully reap the benefits of capital growth by compounding your earnings, it is important to convert your earned income into investment income in the stock market as soon as possible.
Starting early is especially important for millennials because they have time on their hands. The sooner you start saving, the sooner you can take advantage of compounding interest and the more room you have to make risky investments with higher return potential.
How can I start saving when my expenses are high? One way to get started is to set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. That way, you don’t have to rely on willpower and can gradually build up your savings over time. Another way is to increase your income by asking for a raise at your side job or at your current job. Paying yourself into a retirement account first is the best way to start this process.
2. Build a diverse portfolio
Invest in assets that increase in value. Another key piece of advice from Dalio is to invest in assets that will appreciate in value over time. This means diversifying your investments rather than relying solely on cash savings. Historically, assets such as stocks and real estate have appreciated in value over time, resulting in significant returns for investors.
However, investing can be risky and it is important to remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. That’s why investing for the long term is more important than trying to time the market. Having a diverse portfolio that includes different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and real estate is essential when investing. This allows you to spread your risk and increase your chances of success.
Here’s his breakdown of what a well-diversified portfolio looks like: According to Tony Robbins’ book Money: Master the Game, 30% is allocated to stocks, 40% to long-term Treasuries, 15% to intermediate Treasuries, 7.5% to gold, and 7.5% to other commodities. (The portfolio needs to be rebalanced every year, he adds.)
3. Learn long-term market cycles
“If you deviate from that balanced combination, market timing is a difficult game for non-pros and pros to play well, so I wouldn’t recommend it, but know how to play the cycle ‘” Dalio told CNBC Make It.
“Know how to buy when others want to sell, and how to sell when others want to buy.” – Ray Dalio[2]
With plenty of time left before retirement, millennials can benefit from increasing investment during deep bear markets and lowering contributions at the end of a bull market cycle. Millennials could benefit from a stock market crash and should be more bullish when the stock market drops dramatically, as their purchasing power increases. Millennials can look at the return on investment over a time frame of 25 years or more to see for themselves the potential for big returns in the long run. There’s no need to panic about a stock market drop as you have decades left to grow your capital.
Conclusion
Millennials face unique financial challenges that can be daunting, but by following Ray Dalio’s advice, you can take control of your financial future. By taking advantage of compounded returns for the first time, you can reap the benefits of one of the most powerful tools for building wealth: time. Additionally, investing in assets that appreciate in value, such as stocks and real estate, can achieve higher returns over the long term, which is essential in building wealth. This also means diversifying your investments rather than relying solely on cash savings. This reduces the risk of financial loss and increases your chances of success.
Educating yourself about investing and personal finance is also important. It’s important for millennials to understand how money works, learn about different investment options, risks, and rewards, and make informed decisions about their own finances. Having financial literacy puts you in control of your financial future and allows you to make informed decisions to achieve your financial goals.
Dalio’s advice can help millennials prepare for future financial success. Investing in assets that appreciate early and educating yourself about investments and personal finance can help you build wealth and achieve financial stability. These steps will also help them overcome their own financial challenges and achieve long-term financial freedom.