Financial planning is a scary word for most people because we think of it as something complex and something that will take up a lot of our time. But, you don’t have to be an accountant or an economics whiz to manage your money wisely. All you need is some basic knowledge and some easy tips that can help you in the long run. Financial planning doesn’t just involve investing and risk management; it also helps you think about what kind of future you want to build for yourself and how to get there practically. Financial planning encompasses everything from budgeting, risk assessment, asset allocation, estate planning, and retirement preparation. It involves setting short-term financial goals (e.g., purchasing a home, finishing college, paying off student loans) as well as long-term financial goals (e.g., building a safety net, retiring comfortably, leaving a meaningful legacy). These 10 tips can help you increase your financial literacy and plan for a brighter future:

Research before you invest

When you are ready to start investing your money, research is crucial. Look up the fund’s past performance, its management team, its fees, and its investment philosophy. Don’t rely on advertisements; instead, go to a reliable source, like a financial advisor or an online review site. Don’t pick a fund based on the last year’s results; instead, focus on the fund’s long-term growth rate. When choosing a fund, pick the one with a low expense ratio, which is the annual fee that is subtracted from the fund’s performance. A low expense ratio is important because it reduces the fund’s performance and results in a smaller return for you. It’s also important to diversify your investments, which means that you should spread your money across different kinds of funds and asset classes. This way, you’ll be less affected by a single investment’s ups and downs.

Have an emergency fund

Life is unpredictable, and there’s no way of knowing when an emergency will strike. It’s not a matter of if, but when. It’s important to have an emergency fund, so you can cover unexpected expenses without having to apply for a loan or take a credit card. Keep in mind that this fund is for life’s true emergencies, such as medical bills, car repair, sudden job loss, etc., not for things you want to buy. Most experts recommend keeping this fund stocked with six months’ worth of living expenses, so you can ride out any financial storm.

Determine how much you need to retire

Retirement might seem like a thing for old folks, but it can happen to anyone. You should start thinking about how much you need for retirement as soon as you start earning your first paycheck. You can estimate how much money you’ll need for retirement by using online calculators. The longer you wait to start saving, the less money you’ll have when you’re ready to retire. You should aim to save enough to cover your living expenses during retirement and leave enough behind for your family. Most experts recommend saving at least 10% of your income.

Choose the right type of investments for you

When you’re choosing the right type of investments for you, you need to consider your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment philosophy. You should also choose funds that are appropriate for your financial situation. For example, if you’re saving for retirement, you should invest in low-risk funds, like index funds or exchange-traded funds. If you’re saving for a house or a child’s college education, you should invest in higher-risk funds, such as stocks. Never put all of your eggs in one basket; diversify your investments so you don’t put all your money into a single fund.

Make smart tax decisions

The government allows you to deduct certain expenses from your taxable income, which means you’ll pay less in taxes. Some of the most common tax deductions include mortgage interest, charitable contributions, health insurance premiums, and student loan interest. You should aim to take as many deductions as you can, but be careful not to cross the line and commit tax fraud.

Protect your assets with insurance

A lot of people think insurance is only for the riskiest professions, but anyone can benefit from it. You should consider getting insurance for your home, car, health, and life. Remember: you can’t predict when life will throw you a curveball, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Understand the pros and cons of owning property

Some people dream of owning a house, but others don’t want to deal with all the headaches that come with it. Regardless of your feelings towards house ownership, it’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of owning property. You should know that the process of buying a house doesn’t end when you sign the contract. Instead, it begins, and it will require a lot of your time and energy. You should start thinking about the following questions: How much house can you afford? Where do you want to buy? What type of property should you buy? What type of mortgage do you need? How much money should you put towards a down payment? How long will it take to get approved for a mortgage?

Set financial goals

It’s important to set financial goals, but you should keep them realistic. Don’t set lofty goals that are out of your league; instead, set goals that are achievable. The best way to set financial goals is to write them down. Once you write down your goals, they become real, and you’ll be more likely to achieve them.

Assess your risk tolerance

You should know your risk tolerance and understand how much risk you’re willing to take on. A risk-tolerance quiz can help you determine how much of your portfolio you should put into stocks. You should also know your investment time horizon, which is the amount of time until you need the money. If you’re saving for retirement, you should invest in low-risk funds, like index funds or exchange-traded funds, because you’ve got plenty of time to ride out the market’s ups and downs. If you’re saving for a child’s education, you should consider investing in high-risk funds, like stocks, because you’ll need the money soon.

Bottom line

Financial planning is not a one-time deal. It’s a continuous process that requires you to stay informed and make adjustments when needed. You should start thinking about financial planning as soon as you graduate high school. The earlier you start, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

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