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1. Build a 6-Month Emergency Fund
If your car breaks down or you lose your job, your future self will thank you for having this.
An emergency fund is your real safety net. not your credit card.
Here’s how to think about it in a fun, non-boring way.
- Start with baby goals. $500, then $1,000, then keep going.
- Keep it separate. So you don’t “accidentally” spend it on brunch.
- Name your account something like “Do Not Touch, Future Me Will Cry.”
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up automatic transfers each week to your savings account until you hit six months of expenses.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate and organize your emergency fund safely while earning interest.
2. Eliminate Credit Card Debt Completely
You can’t build wealth if you’re still paying for last year’s takeout.
Debt is like that one ex who keeps showing up and messing up your progress.
You’ll finally breathe easier once it’s gone.
- Use the debt snowball method. Pay off the smallest balance first to build momentum.
- Transfer balances to a lower-rate card only if it helps you pay faster.
- Cut spending triggers. Unsubscribe from those “flash sale” emails ASAP.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: List your debts, start with the smallest one, and pay extra on that until it’s gone. Then move to the next.
Make It Easy: Try Undebt.it to organize your debts and see exactly how fast you can pay them off.
3. Contribute at Least 10% to Retirement
It’s easy to think retirement is a lifetime away, but time is your secret weapon.
The earlier you start, the less you’ll have to save later.
Compounding is basically free money, just slower.
- Set up automatic contributions to your 401(k) or IRA.
- Take advantage of employer matches if your job offers them. It’s free money, period.
- Increase your contribution 1% each year so it doesn’t feel painful.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your payroll or retirement account and schedule automatic contributions for at least 10% of your income.
Make It Easy: Use Boldin to easily manage your retirement savings and monitor your progress over time.
4. Hit a 750+ Credit Score
A good credit score isn’t just a number. It’s a money-saving superpower.
It can mean the difference between a high mortgage payment and an affordable one.
It also decides whether you get that dream apartment.
- Always pay bills on time. Even one late payment can hurt your score.
- Keep credit utilization under 30%. Never max out your cards.
- Check your credit report regularly to catch mistakes early.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up autopay for every recurring bill and watch your score climb.
Make It Easy: Use Credit Karma to track your credit score for free and get tips to improve it.
5. Set Up a Simple, Automated Financial System
If you want to actually enjoy managing money, make it automatic.
The less you have to think about it, the more consistent you’ll be.
It’s like putting your finances on autopilot. but smarter.
- Automate bills and savings so you never miss payments.
- Use one checking account for spending and another for savings.
- Review everything monthly just to make sure it’s all flowing right.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up automatic transfers, bill payments, and savings deposits. Then let your system do the heavy lifting.
Make It Easy: Use a desktop bill organizer to keep track of due dates and paperwork in one place to plan out your automated financial system.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
