There’s always talk about what you should know when it comes to finances. Thursday Bram from Invetopedia.com has compiled a list of the financial knowledge that women should know by 30. Here’s his list:
- A woman can make it on her own financially, even if she doesn’t have to.
- You need to keep your finger on your finances, even if you have a significant other who handles them.
- How you can deal with a personal financial crisis, like suddenly losing your job.
- How to make a budget and how to stick to it.
- How to set up an emergency fund and how to keep it full.
- How to read a bank statement and how to complain when something on it is wrong.
- How long it will take you to pay down any credit cards you have paying only the minimum balance.
- How debt collection and bankruptcy work, even if you’re in a good financial place.
- How to get your taxes done every year without going crazy.
- How to establish credit in your own name, even if you also share credit cards with a spouse.
- How much risk you’re prepared to tolerate in terms of investments.
- That you’re going to need money for retirement at some point and you’ll need strategies to save for it.
- How you’re going to make up for any time you spend out of the work force, at least in terms of retirement.
- How much having a family costs, even if kids aren’t in the cards.
- What legal protections are out there specifically for women, like whether your state has laws guaranteeing you maternity leave.
- How to negotiate a raise, even if it feels like you shouldn’t ask for more money.
- How to leave a job you hate, preferably with another one lined up.
- How to get a copy of your credit report and how to dispute incorrect information on it.
- What cosigning a loan means – and when to refuse to do it.
- How to recognize the signs of identity theft and how to address them.
- What the pros and cons of owning a house versus renting an apartment.
- What your parents’ retirement plans are and whether you’re going to need to help them.
- Who is responsible for you and your finances if something makes you incapable of taking care of yourself.
- How to reach a lawyer, an accountant and an insurance agent, even if you don’t routinely need their help.
- How to negotiate a big purchase (like a car or a house), even when the other side underestimates you.
- How to sell something you don’t need any longer.
- What it would take for you to start your own business, even if you’re not ready to make the leap.
- What your options for health insurance are and how to make the most of them, even when they’re bad.
- Where to get financial information and advice that you trust.
- What your financial priorities are and what’s the next step you need to take to reach them.
