Rachel Cruze: 5 Things You’re Getting Wrong About Money
Written by
Ashleigh Ray, AI Editor
Edited by
Ashleigh Ray
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In the hustle of daily life and the complexity of financial advice swirling around, it’s easy to get things mixed up about managing your money. In an episode of her show, Rachel Cruze set the record straight on some of the most common financial misconceptions.
Whether you’re deep into budgeting or just starting to take control of your finances, this breakdown can help guide your money management strategies. So, let’s dive into what you might be getting wrong and how to fix it.
The Necessity of Credit Cards
You might think you need a credit card to start building a financial foundation, particularly for things like buying a house or covering emergency expenses.
While credit cards do offer benefits like rewards and fraud protection, they’re also a gateway to potentially debilitating debt.
Cruze argued, “I don’t want a credit card to be your emergency fund. I want you to be your emergency fund.”
Her stance is clear: avoid credit cards and opt for building savings to provide for emergencies and major purchases.
The 50/20/30 Budget Rule
It’s a popular budgeting framework: allocate 50% of your income to needs, 20% to savings and 30% to wants. But Cruze points out that this one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t adjust to individual financial situations, which can vary widely.
Instead, she advocates for zero-based budgeting, where “you’re telling your income where to go.”
This method ensures every dollar is accounted for according to your personal financial goals and circumstances, making it a more personalized and effective way to manage your money.
Choosing Whole Life Insurance Over Term Life Insurance
When it comes to life insurance, the market is flooded with options, and it’s important to know the difference. Whole life insurance policies are more expensive and combine an investment component that might not yield the best returns.
Cruze recommends term life insurance as a cost-effective and straightforward alternative. By separating insurance from investment, you can manage your money more efficiently and focus on other investment avenues that offer better returns.
Risky Investments Like Crypto and Day Trading
The allure of quick returns from risky investments like cryptocurrency and day trading can be tempting.
However, Cruze warns against putting significant sums into these volatile markets without a solid financial foundation.
She recommends funding your retirement accounts first– your 401(k) and/or Roth IRA — before investing in these risky markets. This conservative strategy emphasizes the importance of reliable, long-term investments over speculative, high-risk bets.
The Myth of Good Debt
Many of us are taught to believe in the concept of ‘good debt’ — debt that’s supposed to help us advance financially.
However, Cruze challenges this notion, especially when it comes to things like car payments, credit cards and student loans.
She said, “I am a firm believer that debt of any kind is never ideal.”
Instead of taking on debt to fund your lifestyle or education, Rachel advocates for saving and spending within your means to truly build wealth.
Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.
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