These Were The Biggest Financial Regrets of Americans in 2019

Making financial mistakes is a common thing. Records reveal that around 76% of people in the United States have committed at least one financial blunder in their lifetime. The bad part of this is that financial mistakes make it tough for you to accomplish whatever financial goals you might have for the future. If you are going wrong with your money matters, you need to change your course as soon as possible. In case if you haven’t sketched your plans out yet, you can learn from what others have experienced so that you don’t commit any mistake in the times to come. Here are the most significant financial regrets of Americans from 2019.

Taking Too Much Time to Save For Retirement

Waiting too long for retirement savings was probably one of the biggest mistakes that most Americans committed. Almost 27% of those who responded to a survey confessed that this was the most common financial blunder they committed. Hence, it isn’t surprising at all when people rate this mistake as the biggest they have ever made. If you are taking too much time to save your retirement funds, you are bound to fall into a financial quagmire.

It also implies that you have to save a higher amount in the later stages of life so that you can live your retired life comfortably. To steer clear of making such a mistake, start saving right now. It doesn’t matter how much you save, as even a small amount makes much of a difference. Remember that the sooner you start, the faster your investments will start growing and multiplying.

Failing to Build an Emergency Fund

According to reports, around 19% of the American citizens were unable to build up an emergency fund in 2019. This financial regret can haunt you for a long time, especially at the time of emergencies. Research shows that most American households suffer from unexpected expenses that they endure year after year!

If you run short of funds during an emergency, you might even have to borrow from someone to meet the unforeseen costs. If you don’t wish to go through such financial distress, start setting aside a particular sum for any emergency right now. Does it look like it’s too late to build an emergency fund? You can sell off those items which you don’t use to gather money for your emergency fund. This way, you can avoid borrowing. Remember that you need to stay prepared for a financial emergency.

Piling on a Credit Card Debt

As per an estimation, 16% of the U.S. citizens confessed that piling on a credit card debt was the gravest financial mistake they made. Borrowing more than you can pay back, lands you in trouble because of the high-interest costs. In addition to that, the figure that you need to accumulate for your monthly payments can’t be spent on anything else.

If you wish to avoid a credit card debt, always charge to a figure that you can pay back and that too within the stipulated time. Chalking out an excellent budget and sticking to it would be favorable in this case. If you are already neck-deep in credit card debt, debt consolidation seems to be the fastest and the most effective way to repay. All you will need is a payoff plan. Try not to borrow in the future.

Failing to Gather the Amount Required for Kid’s Education

The majority of the parents wish they had helped their kids complete their college education. 10% of those who participated in the survey stated that the biggest regret they have is being unable to save an optimum amount for their children’s education.

As a result, they find themselves in compelling situations that force them to borrow or take out a significant portion of their retirement security to shell out the college fees. This can pile on more on financial troubles. Prepare a college savings plan as soon as you welcome your child into your family.

Start saving for your retirement when the time is ripe. This 2020, make a proper estimation of all the expenses you might have to incur after quitting your job. Aside from that, don’t forget to build an emergency fund as well, to make up for the unforeseen expenses. May this New Year brings you lots of reasons to rejoice.