Understanding your financial levers

When managing money and working towards financial goals, it's important to understand which factors we can control and which we can’t.

Interest rates, inflation, investment market returns, and economic growth fall outside our control. However, there are many factors we can control, and each of these becomes a lever we can pull to adjust our future financial circumstances.

In this article, we will explore the various financial levers that investors can utilise to enhance their financial well-being and achieve their desired outcomes.

Controlling expenses

One of the most powerful levers at our disposal is the ability to control our expenses. It's vital to assess our lifestyle choices and avoid falling into the ‘lifestyle creep’ trap, where we progressively increase our spending as our income rises.

How mindful are you of your spending habits? By spending less and living within our means, we can free up resources for savings and investments.

Increasing income

Another financial lever that investors can pull is increasing their income. While this may seem obvious, many individuals underestimate its potential. We can accelerate our wealth- building journey by actively seeking ways to earn more through career advancement, side hustles, or entrepreneurial ventures. Increasing our income provides us with more resources to save and invest, expands our financial opportunities, and enhances our financial security.

Investing more

Investing more is a powerful lever that can significantly impact our long-term financial success. By allocating a larger portion of our income towards investments, we can capitalise on the power of compounding and benefit from the growth potential of various asset classes. Adopting a disciplined approach to investing, such as automatic savings and paying ourselves first, is crucial. By consistently investing over time, we can build an investment portfolio that aligns with our financial goals.

Enhancing investment returns

While controlling expenses, increasing income, and investing more are essential, investors should also focus on enhancing their investment returns. This lever involves making informed decisions about asset allocation and diversification, and selecting investments that align with our long-term objectives. While investment returns alone should not be relied upon as the primary driver of financial success, optimising our investment strategy and seeking opportunities to maximise returns can significantly impact our overall wealth accumulation.

Adjusting retirement timeline

One often overlooked financial lever is adjusting our retirement timeline. While many individuals plan to retire at a specific age, it's important to re-evaluate this timeline based on our financial situation and goals. Extending our working years can give us additional time to save and invest, allowing our assets to grow further. On the other hand, some individuals may choose to retire earlier, focusing on achieving financial independence and creating a fulfilling lifestyle. By carefully considering our retirement timeline, we can make informed decisions that align with our unique circumstances.
Avoiding financial mistakes

Avoiding financial mistakes is critical to protecting our wealth and financial well-being. By being vigilant and educated about common financial pitfalls, we can mitigate risks and preserve our financial resources. Learning from our mistakes and seeking wisdom from experienced individuals can help us navigate the complex landscape of personal finance and make sound financial decisions.

Housing considerations

Housing decisions can also serve as a financial lever. Right-sizing or downsizing our house can release equity and reduce housing-related expenses, freeing up resources for savings and investments. Additionally, exploring innovative options like equity release can provide additional financial flexibility without the need to move house. We can optimise our housing decisions to align with our broader financial goals by carefully evaluating our housing needs and considering the financial implications.

Empowering your path to financial success

In summary, investors have a range of powerful financial levers to take control of their financial situation. Pulling these levers consistently over time can compound to create life- changing results.
However, working with a qualified financial adviser can provide invaluable guidance in adjusting these levers to match your specific circumstances and financial goals. By understanding these levers and collaborating with a financial adviser on how to pull them, investors put themselves in the best position to choose their financial path and progress steadily towards their definition of financial success.