70% of Hong Kong Workers Can’t Retire Early! 5 Financial Principles You Must Learn in 2024 to Help You Retire Early.
Want to retire early in Hong Kong? This article details 5 major financial principles to help you achieve financial freedom! It covers investment and finance, passive income, financial planning, saving methods, retirement preparation, asset allocation, fund investment, financial skills, financial education, and personal finance. From the "30-30-30-10 income allocation rule" to SMART goal setting, from controlling living expenses to diversified investment portfolios, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the must-learn financial strategies for Hongkongers in 2024. Suitable for working professionals, employees, beginners in finance, and novice investors.12/10/2024
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70% of Hong Kong Workers Can’t Retire Early! 5 Essential Financial Principles to Learn and Apply
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Facing skyrocketing property prices and inflation, how much money do you really need to retire comfortably in Hong Kong? According to a 2024 survey, only 41% feel confident about retiring at their desired age. Moreover, most respondents are worried about their health and financial status post-retirement. Are you also concerned about your financial situation?
- Today, we will delve into 5 financial principles to help you achieve financial freedom and retire early.
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5 Smart Financial Principles to Accelerate Wealth Growth
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1. The “Invest First, Spend Later” Rule
• Set aside 30% for investments on the first day of each month
• Utilize automatic transfers to make investing a mandatory monthly expense
• Optimal income allocation ratio (30-30-30-10 rule)
- 30% - Mandatory investment
- 30% - Essential living expenses
- 30% - Savings and emergency fund
- 10% - Leisure and entertainment
- Investing money can bring more value to your long-term lifestyle.
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2. The “Goal Tracking” Trilogy
- Setting clear goals and tracking progress can make all the difference. Prioritize savings and let your money work for you to possibly retire early.
- Short-term goal (within 1 year): Build an emergency fund covering 6 months of expenses
- Mid-term goal (2-5 years): Accumulate $1 million in investment capital
- Long-term goal (over 5 years): Achieve passive income covering 80% of expenses
Use the SMART principle to set financial goals:
- • Specific: Set precise numbers
- • Measurable: Define progress indicators
- • Achievable: Align with reality
- • Relevant: Fit with life plans
- • Time-bound: Set completion deadlines
Advanced tip: Review progress quarterly and adjust strategies as needed
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3. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
- Whenever you receive a bonus or additional income, spending tends to increase. This is known as lifestyle inflation, which can quietly destroy your retirement plan and lead to debt. To avoid it, use the “Expense Control” 4321 rule.
- “Expense Control” 4321 Rule
Whenever income increases (e.g., raise, bonus):
- • 40% for investment growth
- • 30% for skill enhancement
- • 20% for savings increase
- • 10% for lifestyle improvement
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4. “Diversified Investment” Risk Mitigation Strategy
Actively allocate funds in bonds, stocks, or rental properties to diversify your asset allocation. Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, and establish multiple income sources:
- • Stock investments (Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, ETFs)
- • Bond portfolio (government bonds, corporate bonds)
- • Real estate investments (REITs, rental properties)
- • Alternative investments (gold, collectibles)
- • Fixed deposits
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5. “Passive Income” Creation Plan
Saving money is not about letting it gather dust. If invested wisely, it will grow exponentially over time and be more beneficial than spending it now.
Create multiple income streams to reduce reliance on active income:
- • Investment income (dividends, interest)
- • Asset income (rent, royalties)
- • Online side businesses (freelance, course revenue)
- • Knowledge monetization (consulting, column writing)
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Conclusion: Action Plan to Implement the 5 Principles
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The key to achieving financial freedom is to:
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- 1. Implement the “Invest First, Spend Later” principle
- 2. Set clear financial goals and track them continuously
- 3. Strictly control lifestyle expense growth
- 4. Build a diversified investment portfolio
- 5. Develop multiple sources of passive income
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Start practicing these principles today to lay a solid foundation for your financial freedom!