Year after year, the annual survey taken for the T-I-A-A Institute Personal Finance Index shows low financial literacy for the 18-to-25 age group. A majority of these young adults consistently fail to demonstrate a working knowledge of financial concepts like budgeting, saving, insurance, and investing.Think about what this means.  Tens of thousands of young adults are going off to college or joining the workforce today without knowing how to manage their money, how to avoid overspending, or even how to build a solid financial future for themselves.These days, we have online banking and instant digital transactions.  It’s so easy to use credit and transfer money that many young people just live day to day without a plan … until they need a bailout from Mom or Dad!The fact that young adults rarely handle cash also means they no longer have a physical connection to their money.  When you don’t actually see and feel your money coming and going, you might not realize when it’s gone. This disconnect can lead to unintentional overspending and a lifetime of debt, not to mention a lack of motivation to save for the future.So, if you’re a parent of teenagers or a “Gen Z” just starting out, here are a few must-have financial skills and how to get them: MUST-HAVE FINANCIAL SKILLSThe first “skill” is actually an attitude. The Bible says God is the owner of everything, as in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”. Understand that nothing really belongs to you, even you. You are a manager of God’s resources, which should change your perspective on money and material things.The number two financial skill you’ll need is planning.  “A dream without a plan is just a wish,” as they say.  And wishes won’t buy you a house. The fundamental planning tool we recommend is a budget, otherwise known as a “spending plan”.  A budget keeps track of your income, giving, and spending, and gives you a picture of your progress towards meeting your financial goals.  Download the free <a href="http://app.faithfi.com/">FaithFi app</a> to get one started.The next fundamental financial skill everyone needs is: work!  Maybe your dad always told you that “Money Doesn’t Grow on trees!” Annoying as that was, it’s the truth. So, start at the bottom if you have to, work hard, and develop your resume!In Colossians 3: 23 and 24, we see the key to successful work: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”The next skill is to open and manage a bank account. Then, make sure you develop habits of giving and saving from every paycheck. Watching your balance increase will encourage you to stick to your plan. Keeping track of your bank balance will also help you understand your limits.  You can’t spend what isn’t there.The next skill will also help you understand your limits. Learn about credit.  Don’t fall into the trap of believing that a credit card equals permission to spend all you want. Instead, keep track of your balances, pay your balances in full every month, and watch your credit score.Another basic financial skill you’ll need is to understand investing, including types of investments, risk, and return. Check out the great information at <a href="https://soundmindinvesting.org/">SoundMindinvesting.org</a>.Finally, admit you don’t know it all and learn where to go for solid financial advice. As it says in Proverbs 15:22: Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed. Visit <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/">faithfi.com</a> and click on the “<a href="https://www.faithfi.com/community">Community</a>” tab to chat online about your money questions.  Or, ask someone you trust, who knows about finances, to help you.Now more than ever, young adults need financial skills to succeed in the “real world”.  Our challenge to our bright and hopeful “Gen Z” generation is to pursue a firm faith and financial literacy.   On today’s program, Rob also answers listener questions: <ul><li>Is an annuity a good option for retirement saving</li><li>How should someone determine whether to sell the family home after a divorce?</li><li>How does one go about buying a parent’s home that is currently in an irrevocable trust? </li><li>Is it wise to borrow against your existing home to purchase a vacation home? </li><li>Is there a way to seek loan forgiveness for a “Parent Plus” loan? </li></ul> RESOURCES MENTIONED:<ul><li><a href="https://www.zillow.com/">Zillow.com</a>  </li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the <a href="https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/faith-and-finance/">Moody Radio Network</a> as well as <a href="https://afr.net/podcasts/faith-finance/">American Family Radio</a>. Visit our website at <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/">FaithFi.com</a>where you can join the FaithFi Community, <a href="https://faithfi.netviewshop.com/donate2">and give </a> as we expand our outreach.

FaithFi

Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry hosted by Rob West. The program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

Faith & Finance with Rob West

Statistics show that young adults in the U-S are sadly lacking in basic money skills.  Parents and schools aren’t doing their job when it comes to raising kids with financial savvy. So we’ll do some remedial work on essential money management skills today on Faith and Finance.

Must-Have Financial Skills for Young Adults

FaithFi: Faith & Finance | Jul 20, 2023

Show Notes

Where Faith Meets Finance

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