Do you want to learn more about your finances but not sure how? Want to make yourself more financially smart but not sure where to start? It's pretty simple actually!

Being financially literate will allow you to be better prepared for any financial obstacles or scenarios and save you from the chances of personal economic distress. Smart money management can change the way we lead life and decide how our future turns out to be. Those who master their Finances can live a stress free and secure life. Here are the 4 basics of Financial Literacy that will help you live a Financially free and secure life.

Plan


Setting and following a budget is the most basic aspect of staying in control of your finances. A budget helps build financial stability if followed consistently over a long period of time. A budget makes it easier to pay bills timely, contribute to an emergency fund and save for major expenses such as a car or home. A budget helps a person achieve goals both in day-to-day activities and in the long term. Budgeting brings you face-to-face with your spending habits. You may be surprised to learn how much you spend and where. A budget helps you see the big picture of your money situation which will further guide you to make smart decisions and towards thoughtful habits.

Track


Knowing how much you spend does not equal limiting yourself. When you track your Spending, you take control of your finances. Being financially aware and financially responsible means knowing what your expenses are and preparing for upcoming spending. The best place to start is to divide your expenses between regular and occasional. Regular expenses are the ones that stay the same for a period of time like rent, fees, bills, etc. whereas variable expenses will vary like entertainment, travel, clothes, etc. When you note down every expense it will help you spend mindfully and prevent you to fall prey to shopping temptations. It makes you conscious in regard to your spending. You can start tracking your spending using an app, writing them down or whatever you are comfortable with. With regular tracking, you’ll soon be able to identify problem areas. Tracking your expenses daily helps you to analyze your progress and takes you on the road to financial responsibility.
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Save


Saving is a must for everyone! It’s always a good idea to be prepared; saving money helps you with that. Saving is a habit that the earlier we learn the better, it is a small task that helps you build a productive lifestyle change. Putting money aside for your future goals and unknown situations can help you move smoothly without any hassle or major changes in your financial plan. If you don’t have any savings, it can get unpredictable and risky. Savings can not only help you out in unfavorable situations but also when you want to splurge on something or have a major life event. All in all, Savings will bring you peace of mind.

Invest


Investing is key to building long-term wealth and protecting your money. To grow your money, you need to put it in a place where it can earn for you. Investing is the best way to make money work for you. The higher the return rate, the more money you will earn. You can explore different classes of investment assets and find what works for you. Investing your money can allow you to grow it.

These 4 basic concepts will help you further research and learn about Financial Literacy and its importance. These will provide a strong foundation for you to build further learnings upon.

Read everything you need to know about Financial Literacy here. 4 basic components  - save, track, invest & protect.