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PRESSURE OF THE SELFIE GENERATION
1. Are your selfies landing you in debt?
The rise of the “selfie culture” and a fixation on the lifestyles of celebrities may be landing young people in debt.
Research found that young people felt pressured not to be tagged in a photo on social media wearing the same outfit twice. Not wanting to make a fashion faux-pas, one in 10 borrow money they can’t afford to buy new clothes.Internet survey found that 41% of all 18- to 25-year-olds feel the pressure to wear a different outfit every time they go out, rising to 47% for young women.
One in six young people say they don’t feel they can wear an outfit again once it’s been seen on social media, and 79% admitted being influenced by at least one social media platform.
Instagram topped the list at 55%, followed by Facebook (40%), YouTube (37%), Snapchat (25%) and Twitter (14%).
Additionally, unboxing videos, in which YouTubers film themselves opening shopping hauls, are hugely popular, with 30% of young people reporting they watch them regularly, possibly influencing young adults to go out and get a “haul” of their own – with money they don’t have.
The selfie culture has a darker side, though, with 1 in 10 borrowing money they can’t afford to repay to fund clothes shopping. Also many borrowing to purchase new clothes were eating cheap food, skipping meals and even selling sentimental belongings to fund their shopping habit.
More concerning, another study from Royal Mint shows that this is affecting savings levels, too – the #YOLO generation (You Only Live Once) are saving just £300 a year (£5.70 a week) so they can have fun with the rest of their income. This compares to £1,500 per year, which was the average saved 40 years ago, according to historical data published by Lloyds Banking Group.
b. Does stuff = success?
The problem is a cultural one that stems from our tendency in the West to value “acquisition” more highly,
“In effect, we have psychologically fused together success with acquiring ‘stuff’,” he says. We think, “the bigger my house, car, wardrobe, or holiday, the more I demonstrate to myself and others that I am successful.”
Bursting Millennial Money Myths
Most of us have made a few foolish money mistakes here and there. It’s the car we can’t afford, the personal loan we never should’ve made, or the mortgage that nearly sent us to bankruptcy.
So why do we keep making these same money mistakes?
Most likely, we mismanage money because of a faulty belief system. We’ve bought into some of culture’s most popular money myths. And a lot of times we’ve learned them from a well-meaning yet misinformed parent, teacher or friend.
While it would be easy to sit back and blame others for falling for these money myths, the most important thing to do is realize they are myths.
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Myth: Credit Card: Credit Card is to be used until I get fund to settle IT
Truth: You are living on borrowed funds . This is mortgaging your earning in advance for personal expenses that will not give any returns. Spend the money you have ONLY not money you are yet to earn.
2. Myth: Debt is a tool.
Truth: Some tools help you fix things. Other tools help you break things. So in that sense, debt is a tool—it’s a sledgehammer to your financial future. Another way of putting it: Debt is the enemy of your income. The monthly payments you send to credit card companies are monthly savings you could be putting toward your retirement, your kids’ college, and your down payment on a new house! Your income is your most important wealth-building tool. Don’t surrender it to debt.
3. Myth: Car payments are a way of life.
Truth: If you believe debt is a tool, you’re just as likely to believe car payments are a way of life. The average car payment these days is $504 per month.(1) That’s over $6,000 a year you’re putting into something that decreases in value. Instead, save that money every month for a year and buy a nice, used car for $6,000. The best car is the one without a payment.
4. Myth: Not cooking is a way to live and Enjoy Life .
Truth: It’s a sure way to not reduce cost so no extra for future and making short term plan. An expensive lifestyle choice for someone not yet wealthy.
5. Myth: You can’t go to college without student loans.
Truth: You absolutely can. Will it be easy? Maybe not. Will it be worth it? Totally. Whether it’s through college-specific scholarships and grants or federal and state aid (that’s aid, not a loan), going to college without debt is completely possible. And what about paying for college out of your own pocket? Rachel Cruze talks about college planning all the time. There are alternatives to loans when it comes to funding college tuition.
Many colleges offer work-study opportunities, which are essentially part-time jobs offered on campus. And no one’s stopping you from getting a part-time job off campus. Working as a barista, waiting tables, or even finding a retail job can bring in some cash to offset your school expenses. Consider even creating your own side business using your skills—tutor other students, pick up some freelance gigs, or start a pet sitting service. There are plenty of options to generate income while you’re still in school.
6. Myth: Eventually, you’ll make enough money to catch-up on your retirement.
Truth: Prepare for retirement now. But make sure you’re out of debt and have an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses before you start. After that, you’re ready to start building for your future. Don’t put off preparing for retirement if you’re able to start today! According to the AICPA, 49% of non-retired Americans say they aren’t confident they’ll reach their retirement goals. (2) The more you save now, the less you’ll worry later. Chris Hogan explains how to retire with dignity in his national best seller Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age; It’s a Financial Number.
7. Myth: You already keep track of your money, so you don’t need to budget.
Truth: If you go online and know about how much you have in your bank account, that’s good. But that’s not a budget. When you just track your spending, you’re looking back at how you already spent your money. A budget looks forward. You plan how you’re going to spend your money. When you do this, you can prioritize paying off your debt, saving for your emergency fund, and planning for the future. Without a plan, you’re wandering aimlessly through your pay check.
You don’t have to keep falling for these money myths! Reshape your belief system today and positively change your future. That is when you can guarantee you are on the journey to Financial Freedom.
