5 things you should know about money in your 20s
5 things you should know about money in your 20s
Being young means many things — freedom, energy, and… financial challenges.
If you’ve just started your career, moved out on your own, or live from paycheck to paycheck, this article is for you. Here are five things you should know in your 20s that can save you from unnecessary stress, debt, and worry later in life.
Being young means many things — freedom, energy, and… financial challenges.
If you’ve just started your career, moved out on your own, or live from paycheck to paycheck, this article is for you. Here are five things you should know in your 20s that can save you from unnecessary stress, debt, and worry later in life.
Iuliia Iushkova
Iuliia Iushkova
Oct 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025
Budgeting isn’t about restrictions
Budgeting isn’t about restrictions
Many people avoid making a budget because they think it means saying no to everything fun and living off instant noodles. In reality, budgeting is about saying yes to what truly matters.
Before you hit “buy now” on yet another impulse purchase from an Instagram ad, ask yourself: Will this still bring you value in a year? Or will it end up in the back of your closet with the tag still on? A budget isn’t punishment, it’s a tool for smarter money management and freedom.
Tip: 3 hidden costs of financial stress you might not have considered.
Many people avoid making a budget because they think it means saying no to everything fun and living off instant noodles. In reality, budgeting is about saying yes to what truly matters.
Before you hit “buy now” on yet another impulse purchase from an Instagram ad, ask yourself: Will this still bring you value in a year? Or will it end up in the back of your closet with the tag still on? A budget isn’t punishment, it’s a tool for smarter money management and freedom.
Tip: 3 hidden costs of financial stress you might not have considered.
Credit cards and BNPL are not free money
Credit cards and BNPL are not free money
Research shows we’re almost twice as likely to make impulsive purchases when paying with a card instead of cash.
Credit cards make it harder to keep track because they feel like extra money, but in reality, it’s debt that grows.
It’s important to understand early that a credit card is a tool, not a bonus paycheck.
Used right, it builds credit. Used wrong, it can become a burden that takes years to pay off.
Research shows we’re almost twice as likely to make impulsive purchases when paying with a card instead of cash.
Credit cards make it harder to keep track because they feel like extra money, but in reality, it’s debt that grows.
It’s important to understand early that a credit card is a tool, not a bonus paycheck.
Used right, it builds credit. Used wrong, it can become a burden that takes years to pay off.
Investment is not gambling
Investment is not gambling
Starting to invest early is one of the smartest things you can do, even if it’s just 100 NOK a month. Thanks to compound interest, small amounts grow over time.
But be careful and intentional. You don’t need to wait until you’re rich, but don’t throw your last kroner into high-risk bets either. Investing isn’t gambling. Play smart and win in the long run.
Starting to invest early is one of the smartest things you can do, even if it’s just 100 NOK a month. Thanks to compound interest, small amounts grow over time.
But be careful and intentional. You don’t need to wait until you’re rich, but don’t throw your last kroner into high-risk bets either. Investing isn’t gambling. Play smart and win in the long run.
You don’t have to wait for payday
You don’t have to wait for payday
Getting paid once or twice a month doesn’t make much sense anymore.
That’s why real-time pay, flexible pay, or Earned Wage Access (EWA) exists. With solutions like Celeri, you can access part of your earned salary before payday.
It’s not a loan, it’s money you’ve already earned.
Here’s why it matters:
Flexibility without extra cost. If your coffee machine suddenly breaks, you can use money you’ve already earned instead of reaching for your credit card.
Security. Knowing your money is available reduces financial stress and gives you more control.
Better timing. Bills, rent, and life don’t always wait for payday. With flexible pay, your money is there when you actually need it.
Talk to your HR department or manager about it — or look for employers who offer it.
Having access to your own earned money when you need it can make a big difference, especially when unexpected expenses come up.
Not sure what EWA really is?
Getting paid once or twice a month doesn’t make much sense anymore.
That’s why real-time pay, flexible pay, or Earned Wage Access (EWA) exists. With solutions like Celeri, you can access part of your earned salary before payday.
It’s not a loan, it’s money you’ve already earned.
Here’s why it matters:
Flexibility without extra cost. If your coffee machine suddenly breaks, you can use money you’ve already earned instead of reaching for your credit card.
Security. Knowing your money is available reduces financial stress and gives you more control.
Better timing. Bills, rent, and life don’t always wait for payday. With flexible pay, your money is there when you actually need it.
Talk to your HR department or manager about it — or look for employers who offer it.
Having access to your own earned money when you need it can make a big difference, especially when unexpected expenses come up.
Not sure what EWA really is?
Lifestyle inflation is real – and dangerous
Lifestyle inflation is real – and dangerous
“I’m earning more, so I deserve nicer clothes and fancier dinners.”
That kind of thinking often leads to the question: “Where did all my money go?”
Lifestyle inflation eats up your pay raise before you even notice it.
Instead, make intentional upgrades and put the rest toward saving, investing, or paying off debt. That’s what creates real security in the long run.
“I’m earning more, so I deserve nicer clothes and fancier dinners.”
That kind of thinking often leads to the question: “Where did all my money go?”
Lifestyle inflation eats up your pay raise before you even notice it.
Instead, make intentional upgrades and put the rest toward saving, investing, or paying off debt. That’s what creates real security in the long run.
Practical tips
Practical tips
Before you go, here are some concrete steps you can start using today:
Read these books:
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Take notes, reflect, and apply what you learn. Don’t just read for the sake of reading.
Pay off your debt and avoid new ones.
Start with the largest loans and work your way down.
Financial freedom won’t come if you keep buying new phones on installments or credit.
Live below your means.
It’s basic, but often ignored. Know your income, calculate your expenses, and stick to your budget. That trip or gadget can wait until you’ve actually saved for it.
Automate your finances.
Set up automatic transfers for saving, investing, or paying off debt right when you get paid. It removes temptation and keeps you moving forward consistently.
Sell what you don’t use.
Look around your home — clothes, electronics, or furniture you don’t need can easily be sold online. Turn clutter into cash.
Before you go, here are some concrete steps you can start using today:
Read these books:
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Take notes, reflect, and apply what you learn. Don’t just read for the sake of reading.
Pay off your debt and avoid new ones.
Start with the largest loans and work your way down.
Financial freedom won’t come if you keep buying new phones on installments or credit.
Live below your means.
It’s basic, but often ignored. Know your income, calculate your expenses, and stick to your budget. That trip or gadget can wait until you’ve actually saved for it.
Automate your finances.
Set up automatic transfers for saving, investing, or paying off debt right when you get paid. It removes temptation and keeps you moving forward consistently.
Sell what you don’t use.
Look around your home — clothes, electronics, or furniture you don’t need can easily be sold online. Turn clutter into cash.
In conclusion
In conclusion
Your 20s are an incredible time when everything feels possible.
Don’t limit your future with poor financial habits. The earlier you take control of budgeting, saving, investing, and real-time pay, the more freedom you’ll have later in life.
Use your money wisely, build financial confidence, and enjoy your youth, without worrying about every paycheck.
Your 20s are an incredible time when everything feels possible.
Don’t limit your future with poor financial habits. The earlier you take control of budgeting, saving, investing, and real-time pay, the more freedom you’ll have later in life.
Use your money wisely, build financial confidence, and enjoy your youth, without worrying about every paycheck.
See also:
See also:
Load more
Load more
Load more