Millenials better at saving than their parents?

Labelled as the “lazy and entitled” generation, Millenials have seen their share of criticism. But revel in this – a recent study shows that millennials are better at saving than their parents, the baby boomers.

According to bankrate.com, 60 percent of 18 to 26-year-olds are planning ahead compared to just 25 percent of the older generation. Another study, conducted by Nerd Wallet, shows that millennial parents are putting away 10% of their annual income, compared to Gen X saving 8% and Boomers saving 5%. NerdWallet also found that only 7% of millennials surveyed were not saving for retirement. These numbers are most likely linked to the fact that Millenials had a front-row seat to the 2007 financial crisis. If millennials continue to save at this rate, Nerd Wallet say’s the will outsave previous generations

Regardless of the fact that Millenials are paying more bills than their parents, and facing a much higher cost of living, they still lead when it comes to savings and retirement plans. Given that most millennials have between 20 to 40 years before they retire – there is plenty of time for that money to grow. This is a very smart financial decision on their part.

 

 

Stress Tests May Squeeze Homebuyers

Home buyers could lose a quarter of their home buying power if federal officials get their way in establishing guidelines to prevent people from borrowing too much. Federal officials are proposing stress testing uninsured mortgages. Uninsured mortgages are ones with a 20% minimum down payment. The government is wary about the financial sustainability and serviceability of these mortgages if interest rates rise.
If stress testing becomes a norm, it will reduce the ability of Canadians to borrow money and take on mortgage debt, and will place enormous pressures on an already pressured market to respond. Developers will see their pool of potential customers decreased, and demands for cheaper housing, which is already high, will continue to increase.
The federal agency responsible for stress tests in the financial system is the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), located in Toronto with offices around the country. OSFI’s mandate is to ensure that risk and contagion in the financial system is a low as possible. One particular area of concern has been the long-term reality of low-interest rates and their impact on mortgage insurance, banks, overall debt in the country, and the stability of the financial system.
While many recent changes to regulation, down payment standards for housing purchases, and interest rate increases have added stability and cooled what was an inflamed market, OSFI continues to work towards tougher and tighter standards in anticipation of future market risks. When recently questioned about the state of the housing market and the need for tougher measures, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau made the point that he felt enough had been done and that further action was not necessary for the time being.
With future interest rate rises on the horizon and the possibility of stress tests, it is clear that regulators are weary and vigilant about the potential risks to Canada’s housing market – a market that has become crucial to economic activity and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands.

How Millennials Can Prepare for a Real Estate Investment

If you’re a millennial thinking of venturing into the real estate world, there’s a few things you need to learn about before taking your journey. You might be already drowning in student debt, and generating low income, however, knowing how to make your process easier will ultimately help you stress a little less and reach your goal a lot faster.

Think about long term property value

The first step you can take is to do your research and to find a location that matches affordability with long term equity (value) growth potential. Once you figure out where you would like to see yourself living, plan around it. Find out about the local community, restaurants, malls, gas stations, neighbours and school districts. Setting a goal for yourself will not only help you narrow down where you want to live, but make your agent’s job easier in finding what you’re looking for.

Increase your credit score

There is a good chance that your credit score may not be as good as you would hope for it to be due to student loans, job insecurity, or unstable financial circumstances. If you plan on making your purchase within the next few years, it would be a good idea to spend the time leading up to it building a good credit score. Money lending officers will scrutinize your credit score and decide whether giving you a loan would be a good fit for them. Spend some time planning your finances and learn to discipline your spending habits.

Save up

Saving up could be a challenge especially if you are a millennial with student loans. But being able to save can be a testament to your self-restraint and what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. Taking out a percentage of each of your paychecks and stashing it away, paying off high-interest loans first, making bigger minimum payments, and spending the rest on necessities will help you save a lot quicker.

Know the market

Start out by knowing your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on your home. Match this budget to what your desired location of stay is and work around it. Learn about how long it takes the houses in that area to sell, how many times they’ve been sold, and if the price ever drastically changed. Knowing all this information will validate which home will be the best investment.

Tembo Tips: Save on your Remodel

Tembo Financial offers equity advances so you can receive the proceeds of your sale before your closing date. This service helps homeowners purchase a new home faster, assist with moving costs, or even help pay for a vacation or new car. But did you know that you can use advance financing services to help with renovations? Renovating can help increase the value of your property, or can help turn your new fixer-upper into your dream home. Here are a few tips that can help you save when you’re renovating your home!

Increase Efficiency, not size:

Re-organizing and equipping your kitchen or bathroom can help you avoid blowing walls to gain additional square footage. Consider which type of storage is most efficient for space, from lazy susans to vanity mirrors, you don’t need to compromise storage for aesthetic. The best of both worlds is attainable if you maximize your space and research thoroughly!

Donate your trash:

Invite your local Habitat for Humanity chapter to your home before renovating. They can help you remove fixtures and materials for later resale. You will save money on Junk Removal services, you will receive a charitable tax credit, and you are engaging in a good cause! Additionally, this is a much more eco-friendly way of renovating, as you are avoiding sending your junk to a landfill.

Long Term Savings vs Short Term Gains:

Even when it comes down to the type of paint you’re purchasing, consider the long term savings vs the short term savings. Will you need to replace it in the next couple years? If the long term costs exceed the current savings, consider splurging a little bit. You will save in the long run.

Auctions:

You can often find building supplies at a local auction for half the price of the retail cost. If you’re planning on building cabinets, this would be a great place to search for supplies. Home centers will increase prices to cover some of the overhead costs. These extra costs can easily be avoided.

Whether you’re planning on a full home renovation or a small project, Tembo Financial has various financing options to meet all of your home improvement and lifestyle needs. 

Tembo Money Tips for a Rainy Day

Here are a few tips on how to save money in case of a bump in the road or a rainy day. It’s always important to consider ways to save money. These easy methods can make a huge difference in your savings and spending habits.

 

Move bank accounts

If you’re paying a monthly fee for your checking or savings account, you would benefit from researching some of newest banking offers out there. Not only do some banks offer sign-up bonuses simply for opening an account and setting up direct deposit, but some offer attractive interest rates to new customers as well or maybe even no fees.

Pay Yourself

Designate a certain amount of your paycheque as your pay and try to be disciplined in spending within the amount. Absolutely be sure to pay your bills and keep up with your responsibilities but try to allocate a piece of your pay that you are comfortable with so you can develop discipline and begin to save.

Automate your finances

If paying yourself first won’t work, consider talking to your bank about automatic deposits into your saving account. Your bank will automatically transfer a certain percentage of your paycheck into your savings account every time you get paid. You can also use automated services for paying bills.

Prepay your debt

You can save hundreds of dollars if you put more towards your debt, and avoid the high interest rates. Increasing your payment by even the slightest can save you a good amount in interest costs.

An emergency, accident, workplace change, increase in debt costs, or higher interest rates are all potential scenarios to keep in mind and to be prepared for. It’s always wise to better manage your money and to be mindful of the financial unpredictabilities of life.