Gustavo Cerbasi is a renowned personal finance expert in Brazil, author of several books that have become a reference on the subject. Among his most famous works is Smart Couples Get Rich Together, which addresses the importance of financial organization, financial planning and effective communication about money in a relationship.
In a special episode of the podcast “The Economists“, Cerbasi shared his opinions on the most common mistakes in financial organization and how they can be avoided. His tips and advice are based on years of experience and knowledge in the field of personal finance, making them valuable for anyone wanting to improve their financial situation.
The Main Mistakes in Financial Organization
Cerbasi pointed out two main mistakes that people often make with their finances. The first is excess fixed expenses. He noted that many people spend a large portion of their income on fixed expenses, such as rent or payments. Cerbasi believes that if these expenses exceed 25% of income, it is a sign that something is wrong and that it is necessary to reduce these expenses.
The second common mistake is the difficulty that many couples face in combining their finances. Often, each person in the relationship has a different income and tries to split expenses in a way that never works in the long run. This can lead to tension and even separation.
The Importance of Joint Planning
To avoid these mistakes, Cerbasi suggests joint planning. He believes it’s important for couples to talk about their individual and family dreams and create a plan to achieve them. This may involve switching between different goals, such as renovating your home, traveling, or setting up a gourmet kitchen.
Communication is the Key
Cerbasi highlights the crucial importance of communication, especially between couples, when it comes to finances. According to him, many financial problems arise due to the lack of open and honest dialogue about what is important to each individual and what their financial dreams and goals are. This will not only help avoid conflicts but also allow them to work together to achieve their common goals.
The Strategy to Achieve What We Want
Finally, Cerbasi believes it is important to have a strategy to achieve what we want. This may involve renewing your career, seeking new knowledge or even taking a break from work to focus on other goals. He believes that, with the right strategy, there is no shortage of opportunities for those willing to seek knowledge and renew their CV.
The importance of living a “step below”
Furthermore, Cerbasi emphasizes the importance of living a “step down” lifestyle. This means couples should try to live within their means and avoid overspending. This may involve making temporary sacrifices, such as postponing certain luxuries or pleasures, to achieve long-term financial stability.
MoneySuite’s Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet
To complement Gustavo Cerbasi’s valuable tips, it is important to mention a tool that can help with financial organization: the MoneySuite Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet sold in partnership with Dashboard Design.
This spreadsheet offers a series of benefits that can help you put the strategies suggested by Cerbasi into practice. With it, you can have a clear and organized view of your finances, recording all income and expenses in one place. This makes it easier to understand how money is being spent and allows for more effective control of the household budget.
Therefore, MoneySuite’s Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet can be a great ally in financial organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Organization
What is a financial organization?
A: Financial organization is the process of managing your finances efficiently, including controlling income, expenses, investments and debts. It involves planning, monitoring and regular adjustments to ensure financial health.
What are the most common mistakes in financial organization?
A: According to Gustavo Cerbasi, the most common mistakes are excessive fixed expenses and the difficulty for couples in combining their finances. Both can lead to financial and personal strain.
How can I avoid these errors?
A: Cerbasi suggests joint planning, especially for couples, and reducing fixed expenses. It’s also important to have a clear strategy for achieving your financial goals.
Why is communication important in the financial organization?
A: Communication is essential to understanding the needs and financial goals of each person involved. This is especially important for couples, who need to work together to achieve their joint financial goals.
How can MoneySuite’s Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet help with financial organization?
A: The Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet offers a clear and organized view of your finances, allowing effective budget control. It also helps with setting spending goals, planning for retirement and identifying bad spending habits.
How can I start organizing my finances?
A: Start by recording all your income and expenses to understand where your money is going. Then, set financial goals and create a budget to help achieve them. Tools like MoneySuite’s Personal Financial Control Spreadsheet can be very useful in this process.
