A Snapshot of 20-somethings and Finance: Swiping Right (or Left) on Your Financial Future

Ah, your 20s. A time of endless possibilities, figuring things out (mostly), and navigating that tricky adulting territory. But amidst the whirlwind of social lives, career hustles, and figuring out what sleep is for, there’s also the looming question of finances. Today, we’re looking at how 20-somethings are investing their cash. Plus, we will give you a run-down of the top events you can trade this week.

The investment playground

For many 20-somethings, personal finance can feel like a confusing web of options and conflicting advice. So, what are 20-somethings sinking their hard-earned cash into? Here’s a peek at the most popular investment areas.

Stocks

Owning a piece of the companies you love, or can at least vaguely recognise, holds a certain allure for those just starting their careers. Fractional shares, where you can buy a tiny amount of a high-priced stock like Amazon or Tesla, can help to make the stock market less intimidating.

Stock indexes, like the S&P 500, can also be a great way to diversify a small (or large) investment across multiple companies. With an average annual return percentage of 9% over the last 25 years, it’s easy to see why this particular one is in demand.

The access to these markets is so appealing to the younger generation. Trading can be done directly from your Revolut account, for example.

Cryptocurrency

Remember those friends who wouldn’t shut up about Bitcoin in 2017? Yeah, crypto is still a thing, and many 20-somethings are drawn to its volatility (think rollercoaster, but with money).

There’s so much more to crypto than Bitcoin, of course. There are actually more than 2.2 million cryptocurrencies and with a market cap of $2.58 trillion, it’s nothing to be sniffed at — by 20-year-olds and over.

However, this is a high-risk, high-reward world and requires even more serious research before diving in.

Forex Trading

Trading currencies might sound like something only suited for Wall Street wolves. But with user-friendly apps, like Robinhood, some 20-somethings are giving it a go, hoping to capitalise on currency fluctuations.

Remember, the forex market can be volatile too and so can many of the brokers!

Savings

Yes, the good old-fashioned savings account is still alive and kicking. While interest rates might not be setting the world on fire, having a rainy-day fund provides peace of mind and a safety net for unexpected expenses.

According to certain experts, you’re supposed to be saving as much as 20% of your monthly income. That said, with rental costs and cost of living at all time highs, this isn’t possible for most.

Investing is way more than just numbers on a screen. Here’s what can trigger 20-somethings to get interested:

● Social Investing: Seeing what friends and influencers are investing in can pique curiosity. However, it’s crucial to remember that everyone’s financial situation is different, and blindly following someone else’s lead is never the best strategy.

● Socially Responsible Investing (SRI): Many 20-somethings care about the impact their investments have on the world. SRI focuses on companies that prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, allowing them to invest with a conscience. Such companies include tech heavyweights Apple and Google, as well as Qualcomm and Nestle.

The Swipe Left List: Financial No-Nos for 20-somethings

While exploring different options is great, there are some financial red flags to avoid:

● Get-rich-quick schemes: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid any investment promising astronomical returns with little risk. Remember, slow and steady wins the financial race.

● Impulse investing: Don’t let FOMO (fear of missing out) dictate your investment decisions. Do your research, understand the risks, and invest for the long term.

● Living beyond your means: There’s a difference between treating yourself and draining your bank account. Maintaining a budget and prioritising healthy saving habits is a crucial part of your financial future.

Apps for the Win: Your Financial Toolkit

Technology makes managing your finances easier than ever. Here are some apps that are popular with 20-somethings:

● Budgeting apps: Tools like Mint help you track your income and expenses, categorise your spending, and set realistic budget goals.

● Investment apps: Platforms like Lightyear allow you to easily buy and sell stocks and ETFs. Remember, these apps are just tools, the investment decisions are still yours!

● Peer-to-peer payment apps: Splitting bills with friends or getting paid for odd jobs? Apps like Cash App make sending and receiving money a breeze.

Your turn!

Are you in your twenties? How do you invest your money? Or are you waiting for something to tickle your fancy? We can’t wait for you to share more over on X: @_contentworks.

Top fundamental events week commencing 18/03/24

It looks like it’s going to be a pretty quiet week — let’s check it out.

Monday

No major events are scheduled.

Tuesday

● JPY — BoJ Interest Rate Decision

● AUD — RBA Interest Rate Decision

● USD — Building Permits (Preliminary)

● CAD — Inflation Rate YoY

Wednesday

● GBP — Inflation Rate YoY

● USD — Federal Funds Rate; FOMC Economic Projections; Fed Press Conference

Thursday

● JPY — Balance of Trade

● EUR — German HCOB Manufacturing PMI Flash

● GBP — Official Bank Rate; MPC Meeting Minutes

Friday

● JPY — Inflation Rate YoY

● GBP — Retail Sales MoM

Here at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.

Speak soon!

The Contentworks team