CommonSenseEconomics.com Twelve Key Elements of Practical Personal Finance Common Sense Economics James Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, and Dwight R. Lee

CommonSenseEconomics.com

Twelve Key Elements of Twelve Key Elements of Practical Personal Practical Personal

FinanceFinance

Common Sense Economics

James Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, and Dwight R. Lee


http://commonsenseeconomics.com/


A Personal Financial Epidemic?

Why do Americans live under so much financial stress when their incomes are higher than ever?

Financial insecurity is the result of the choices we make rather than the income we earn.

The principles that lead to financial security are largely the same as the ones underlying a prosperous economy.


Who Needs Money?

There is more to a good life than making

money!!!

But the desire for more wealth unseemly!!!

Our life objectives are easier to achieve if we

have more wealth.


Practical Element #1

Discover your comparative advantage.


Comparative Advantage We are all relatively more productive in some areas

than in others.

Your comparative advantage is determined by your comparative abilities, not your absolute abilities.


What’s Your Comparative Advantage?

Even if you’re better at doing everything, you shouldn’t.

Specialize in what you are relatively the best at…for which you give up the least.

Allow others’ work to be to your advantage.

Self-sufficiency is for novels, not real life!



Be entrepreneurial.In a market economy, people get

ahead by helping others and discovering better ways of doing

things.


Who are Entrepreneurs?Who are Entrepreneurs? People adept at

discovering better ways of doing things and acting on these opportunities.

Disproportionately wealthy… 2/3 of American millionaires are entrepreneurs.


Entrepreneurs’ Success:

1. Entrepreneurial talent: the ability to discover innovative new products, cost-reducing production methods, and profitable opportunities that have been overlooked by others.

2. Tolerance for risk: Self-employment is more risky, but greater risk and higher returns go together.


Entrepreneurs’ Success (cont.)

3. High Savings Rates: Investing in their businesses adds to entrepreneurs’ wealth.

4. Hard Work …Business owners tend to work longer hours.



Spend less than you earn.

Begin a regular savings program now.


Why Save?• Saving is necessary to

accumulate the capital needed to produce wealth.

• This is just as true for individuals as for nations.

• The most effective way to begin saving is by identifying and eliminating some discretionary spending.


Don’t Wait!!!Don’t Wait!!!

If you don’t exert the willpower to save now, it is unlikely that you will do so later.

If you wait to save until your income goes up, it is extremely costly in terms of the amount of money you will end up with at retirement.


There’s No Need to Suffer! Congress has made it possible to save

with before-tax dollars. Savings is deducted from your taxable income, thereby reducing

your taxable income. Many types of tax-deferred savings plans: IRAs, 401(k) plans,

403(b) plans, etc.

There are MANY creative ways to spend less. Pay yourself first! Make saving a regular expense. “Just do it!”



Don’t finance anything for

longer than its useful life.


Financing Consumption Why continue to pay for

something- a car, a vacation, a television- that you are no longer able to use and enjoy?

Purchase on credit only when buying a long-lasting asset with short-lasting financing.


When should you buy on credit?

What goods and services can you pay for while you use them? homes automobiles (depending on lifespan) education

Some assets even generate income or further service even after you finish paying for them…these can enhance your net worth!!!



Two ways to get more out of your money:

Avoid credit card debt and consider purchasing

used items.


Don’t Undermine Your Future!!!

The opportunity cost of saving for tomorrow is spending (and enjoying!) today.

You CAN have more in the future while still enjoying today…

“…ordinary people can have lots of nice things and still accumulate a lot of money.”


Credit Card Convenience

Paying with a credit card is NOT spending your own money, but borrowing someone else’s.

Interest charged on credit cards outstrips returns that could be earned on investments!!!

Think of your credit card as an extension of your checking account…Use your credit card only to access those funds.


The World’s Most Expensive Vacation

Sean charges $1,500 for a trip to the Bahamas.

He pays the minimum payment ($26.63 at 8% interest) each month.

10 YEARS LATER this trip has cost Sean $3,195.40, and all he has left are faded photos.


It Pays to Buy Used!

Can a used item satisfy you as well as a new item?

Balance the time it takes to search for these items with the value of your time.

There are savings to be had without having to sacrifice consumer satisfaction!



Begin paying into a “real-world” savings account

every month.


Rainy Days & the Real World

Life is full of surprises, and they’re usually expensive!

The surprise is only in the timing…So it IS possible to plan for these surprises!

Purchase “peace of mind” by building a cushion…Make this a regular and mandatory expense!



Put the power of compound interest to

work for you.


It’s a Miracle!!!It’s a Miracle!!! Getting a head start

brings a HUGE payoff.

Compounding occurs when the interest you’ve already earned earns even more interest on itself.




Diversify- don’t put all of your eggs in

one basket.


Risk vs. ReturnRisk vs. Return There are many types of

risk that come with investing:

Market risk Inflation risk Financial risk Fraud risk

There is no such thing as a guaranteed return!

Diversification is the practice of holding a large number of unrelated assets.


The Law of Large Numbers

Mutual funds are one way of diversifying investments in the stock market.

While diversification cannot reduce the volatility of the stock market, it WILL reduce the volatility of your investment in it.

When some firms do poorly, others do well.

Business cycles have differential effects on companies.


Double Jeopardy Does your employer offer a company stock-based

retirement program? IF you have confidence in the company, take

advantage of the opportunity. As soon as the plan permits, sell these shares to

purchase other investments. Failure to do so puts you in double jeopardy …You

are now beholden to your employer both for your job and your retirement investment. You are NOT diversified!!!



Indexed equity funds can help you beat the experts without

taking excessive risk.


The Random Walk Theory

No one can predict the future of the stock market.

The random walk theory suggests that current stock prices are the best reflection of the market’s value.

The future price of a stock is driven by unforeseeable events.

Since we can only see the present, it is impossible to “beat the market”.



Invest in stocks for long-run objectives;

as the need for money approaches, increase the

proportion of bonds.


What About Diversification?What About Diversification?

Merely an extension of the diversification concept…

Because the stock market is volatile, you want to reduce your risk when you know you need a cash stash.

Avoid selling off stocks when the market is at a low point.


So Why Not Just Hold Bonds?

Bonds offer a lower return than stocks, but with less risk.

Inflation risk and interest rate risk are larger problems with bonds.

Buy bonds that mature at the time you anticipate needing the cash.

Transfer capital gradually from stocks to bonds.



Beware of investment schemes promising high

returns with little or no risk.


There’s no such thing as a free lunch!!!

If it’s such a good deal, why do they need to sell it to you???

The principal-agent problem makes you vulnerable. A potential conflict exists between

the investor and the agent being paid to do something for the investor…Because the agent has more information about the product than you, you are at a disadvantage.


Tips for Avoiding Investment Fraud

1. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Deal only with parties that have a reputation to protect.

3. Never purchase an investment solicited by telephone or email.

4. Do not allow yourself to be forced into a quick decision.

5. Do not allow friendship to influence an investment decision.

6. If high-pressure marketing is involved, grab your checkbook and run!!!



Teach your children how to earn money and spend it

wisely.


Teach Your Children Well

Teach children money is earned …It doesn’t grow on trees!

Money both helps us get what we want, AND helps others get what they want.

Success in general is realized by setting goals and working hard to achieve them…Financial success is no different!

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CommonSenseEconomics.com Twelve Key Elements of Practical Personal Finance Common Sense Economics James Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, and Dwight R. Lee