Have you ever felt like it’s only the 5th day of the month, but your account balance has already made you nervous? Even though the salary just came in a few days ago. If this happens often, maybe the problem is not in the amount of your income, but in the cash flow that leaks without you realizing it.
Cash flow is the flow of money in and out of your personal finances. If your cash flow is healthy, it means that expenses do not exceed income. But if every month you feel your salary is always lacking, it could be that your cash flow is not okay. Let’s discuss bad financial habits that make cash flow break down and how to fix it.
1. No Financial Records
One of the main causes of cash flow problems is that you don’t know where the money goes. Many of you feel, “Ah, only 20 thousand coffee snacks, only 35 thousand lunches,” but if calculated in a month, the amount can be hundreds of thousands. Without clear records, your cash flow will continue to leak slowly.
Solution:
Start recording daily expenses. Use a financial application or record manually in a book. That way, you can know your spending patterns and start managing your cash flow to be healthier.
2. Lifestyle is Greater than Income
This habit is often not realized. Salary of 5 million, but spending like a person with a salary of 10 million. Installments for the latest gadgets, eating at cafes every week, online shopping because of discounts – all of this can make your cash flow unbalanced.
Solution:
Evaluate your lifestyle. It’s okay to enjoy the fruits of your labor once in a while, but adjust accordingly. Set a monthly spending limit and refrain from impulse purchases to keep your cash flow under control.
3. No Emergency Fund
Without an emergency fund, you will use your monthly money for unexpected needs. A car breaking down, having to buy medicine, or a sudden event can all mess up your planned cash flow.
Solution:
Set aside a small portion of your paycheck each month to build an emergency fund. Target at least three times the amount of monthly expenses. That way, your cash flow will not be disrupted when there is an unexpected event.
4. Rely on PayLater or Installments
The paylater feature is tempting, because it makes us feel like we have more money. But be careful, this habit can make your cash flow severely disrupted. Remember, the money you use now has to be paid next month, and that will cut into your next income.
Solution:
Use paylater only for important things and within your limits. Make sure you have calculated the impact on next month’s cash flow before using it.
5. Not Investing
Many friends think that saving money is enough. In fact, savings can be eroded by inflation. If you want a healthier and growing cash flow, investing is a wise way.
Solution:
Start investing with a small amount. One that is suitable for beginners is digital gold investment. Besides being easy and safe, gold also has a stable value for the long term. You can set aside a portion of your monthly cash flow for investment, so that your finances will be stronger in the future.
6. All Income Runs Out Without Remaining
If your entire salary runs out in a month without a remainder, it means that you have not prioritized saving and investing. In fact, setting aside 10 to 20 percent of your income is very important so that your cash flow is not just passing by.
Solution:
Use the 50-30-20 method: 50 percent for basic needs, 30 percent for wants, and 20 percent for savings or investment. This way, you can still enjoy life without messing up your cash flow.
It’s time to improve your cash flow!
Friend, improving cash flow does take time and discipline. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start now. Record expenses, reduce consumptive lifestyles, prepare an emergency fund, and start investing no matter how small it is.
Remember, a healthy cash flow makes you not only able to live calmly today, but also prepare for a brighter future. Don’t wait until the money runs out to realize, let’s manage your cash flow more wisely from now on.
Because with a regular cash flow, you can realize your financial goals one by one. And who knows, someday you can say, “The end of the month is still safe, thanks to planned cash flow!”
Your salary won’t just pass you by if you’re smart enough to manage your cash flow and start investing. At Treasury, digital gold investment has become more practical. Let’s start now. So that the future is not just a discourse!