Learning the friendly way

We’ve all been here: you land that dream job or get a nice raise, and suddenly your old budget feels unnecessarily restrictive. A few premium subscriptions here, some fancy dinners there, maybe a nicer apartment – before you know it, your higher income somehow feels tighter than before. 

Welcome to lifestyle creep, the subtle way our spending habits expand to match (or exceed) our growing income. It’s real, and it’s out there. Here’s how you can fight back. 

Why it happens

Lifestyle creep isn't just about splurging. Often, it's a series of small, seemingly reasonable upgrades. That $15 lunch delivery doesn't feel extravagant when you're having a hard day, and those $20 fitness classes are justified as a worthwhile investment in your health. 

The problem isn't any single expense, it's how these small changes compound over time, transforming from luxuries into what feel like necessities. And those small expenses can add up dramatically: an extra $50 per week on conveniences means $2,600 per year that could have gone toward retirement, a dream vacation, or your emergency fund. That’s a chunk of change in the end. 

Breaking the cycle

1. Find your motivation

Before making changes, identify why you want to control your spending. Maybe you want to switch careers, start a business, or build an emergency fund. Having a concrete “why” makes it easier to resist those immediate gratifications.

2. Audit your joy

Review your recent expenses and honestly assess which ones truly enhance your life. That streaming service you barely use? The subscription box that sits unopened? These are easy cuts. But don't stop at the obvious – examine everything, including your "necessary" expenses. Sometimes what we think we need is just habit in disguise.

Start doing this weekly, eventually moving up to monthly, until your inner accountant is completely satisfied with where your money is going. The idea here isn’t to strip all joy from your life, it’s merely to streamline it. 

3. Create friction

Make impulse spending harder:

• Remove saved payment information from shopping sites and phone settings
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Establish a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential purchases

4. Address your triggers

Our spending habits are heavily influenced by our environment. Consider:

• Unfollowing social media accounts that trigger spending urges
• Finding free or low-cost alternatives to expensive social activities
• Being honest with friends about your financial situation and goals
• Planning social activities that don't revolve around spending

5. Regular check-ins

Schedule monthly "money dates" with yourself. Review your spending, celebrate wins, and adjust your strategy. Make it enjoyable – pour yourself a drink and put on your favourite record. This isn't about punishment, it's about alignment with your goals.

The mindset shift

Remember that reducing expenses isn't about deprivation, it's about choice and control. You might find that some lifestyle upgrades are worth keeping because they genuinely improve your quality of life. Others might be easy to let go once you realise they're not adding that much value.

The goal isn't to return to living like a college student. Instead, aim to be intentional about which upgrades you keep and which you can live without. This mindful approach to spending helps steer your money toward things that truly matter to you, rather than disappearing into a series of forgettable purchases.

By taking control of lifestyle creep, you're not just saving money – you're buying yourself options, flexibility, and peace of mind. And those are luxuries worth keeping.

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When you're in your 30s, we get that life gets busy with new responsibilities - like buying a home, growing your family, or advancing your career. It’s easy to overlook retirement planning and “fall behind”, but (drumroll please) now is actually the perfect time to start saving, if you haven’t already. The earlier you begin, the more time you give your money to grow and work for you through the power of *compound interest*.

We’ve packed this guide with simple, actionable steps to help you secure your financial future.

Why saving for retirement in your 30s is critical

Don’t worry about being late to the party, starting to save for retirement in your 30s can still give you a huge advantage. The earlier you begin, the longer your money has to grow. Thanks to compound interest, even small contributions can accumulate into significant savings over time.

Delaying your savings could mean playing catch-up later in life, requiring you to save much more per month to reach your retirement goals.

Step 1: Set clear retirement goals

The first step is figuring out how much you’ll need for retirement. This depends on the lifestyle you want to live.

Many experts suggest saving 10 times your pre-retirement salary with the plan to live on 80% of your income. For example, if you earn $100,000 a year before retirement, aim for at least $80,000 annually afterward. Adjust this based on other income sources like Social Security, pensions, or part-time work, as well as your health and lifestyle goals.

To make this more manageable, use a retirement calculator to estimate how much you’ll need based on your income and retirement age. Setting clear goals helps you understand how much you need to save monthly or annually to stay on track.

Step 2: Maximize employer-sponsored retirement plans (401k)

If your employer offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, take full advantage. Start by contributing enough to get any matching contributions from your employer -  this is essentially free money for your retirement.

If you’re currently contributing 3% of your salary, consider increasing it by 1% every few months until you reach 10% to 15% of your income. Gradually increasing your contributions makes it easier to adjust without feeling a big hit to your budget.

Step 3: Open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

If you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored plan, or if you want to save more, consider opening an IRA. A Roth IRA is a great option because your money grows tax-free, and you won’t have to pay taxes when you withdraw it in retirement.

If you earn too much to qualify for a Roth IRA, a Traditional IRA is a good alternative. You get tax benefits upfront, but you’ll pay taxes when you withdraw the money. Either option is a smart way to diversify your retirement savings and get started today.

Step 4: Invest aggressively in your 30s

In your 30s, you still have several decades before retirement, which means you can afford to take on more investment risk for potentially higher returns. Financial experts recommend that you invest 80-90% of your retirement portfolio in stocks, which historically offer higher growth than bonds or savings accounts.

Don’t worry about short-term market fluctuations. Focus on the long-term growth potential of your investments. Staying invested during market ups and downs gives your portfolio the chance to grow over time.

Step 5: Automate your savings to stay consistent

One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re consistently saving is to automate the process. Set up automatic transfers from your paycheck to your retirement accounts, even using one of your Tap accounts for a dedicated saving space. When saving becomes automatic, you won’t even have to think about it.

This method also helps you avoid the temptation to skip saving during months when other expenses pop up. It’s a “set it and forget it” approach to growing your retirement savings.

Step 6: Keep an eye on your retirement accounts

While automation is key, you still need to check on your retirement accounts regularly. Make sure your investments are balanced and that you’re not putting too much into any one stock, especially company stock. Financial advisors generally recommend keeping no more than 10% of your retirement savings in company stock to avoid unnecessary risk.

Revisit your portfolio once or twice a year to make adjustments as needed. As you get older, you might want to gradually shift towards safer investments like bonds.

Conclusion

Starting to save for retirement in your 30s doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By setting clear goals, taking advantage of employer-sponsored plans, opening an IRA, investing wisely, and automating your savings, you can build a solid financial foundation for your future. That might sound like a mouthful, but breaking it into sizable chunks is NB.

Remember, the key is to start now, no matter how small your initial contributions might be. Over time, your savings will grow, helping you achieve a secure and comfortable retirement.

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As the new year kicks off and the festive season's aftermath (and bills) hit, let’s tackle Januworry head-on with a solid plan. Ever felt overwhelmed by budgeting? The 50/30/20 rule might be your new best friend. Let's break down this simple but powerful approach to managing your money and get you on the right track for the next few months.

What is the 50/30/20 Rule?

Once all your deductions have been made, the 50/30/20 rule helps you divide your take-home pay into three simple categories:

• 50% for Needs
• 30% for Wants
• 20% for Savings and Debt Payment

The "50" - your needs (the must-haves)

Your biggest slice goes to the essentials. Here's what counts:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
• Groceries
• Basic transportation
• Healthcare
• Minimum debt payments

Pro tip: If your needs exceed 50%, look for areas to trim – maybe a cheaper phone plan or a more affordable living situation.

The "30" - your wants (the nice-to-haves)

Budgeting does not equal starving. This is your fun money, and you deserve it! It includes:

• Dining out
• Entertainment
• Shopping for non-essential items
• Gym memberships
• Streaming services
• Hobbies

Remember: Just because you can spend 30% on wants doesn't mean you have to. You can use any “left overs” to boost your savings.

The "20" - your future (savings and debt)

This money builds your financial security:

• Emergency fund
• Retirement savings
• Extra debt payments
• Investment contributions
• Long-term financial goals

Quick tip: Pay off high-interest debt first – it's eating into your future savings.

Simple steps to get started

1. Calculate your monthly take-home pay
2. Do the math: multiply by 0.5, 0.3, and 0.2
3. Track your spending for one month
4. Compare your actual spending to the ideal percentages
5. Adjust gradually – Rome wasn't built in a day!

Common challenges and solutions

Not every budget looks the same, so if you're struggling to make the 50/30/20 budget rule work for you, here are some common problems:

• High debt load? Consider a 55/25/20 split temporarily
• Living in an expensive city? You might need to adjust the percentages
• Variable income? Use your lowest monthly income as your baseline

Bottom line

The 50/30/20 rule isn't about perfect math – it's about progress over perfection. Start where you are, adjust as needed, and celebrate small wins along the way.

Remember: This is a guideline, not a strict rule. Make it work for YOUR life and YOUR goals, and consult a financial advisor if needed.

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In the Investments’ world, there are winners, and then there are game-changers. Bitcoin has proven to be nothing short of a financial revolution, transforming the dreams of early investors into a staggering reality that has left traditional assets in the dust.

Imagine turning $100 into $26,931 in just a decade. It sounds like a fairy tale, but for some Bitcoin investors, it's been their reality. This digital upstart has not just entered the financial arena – it has completely rewritten the rules of investment.

A look at the numbers

Let's break down the decade-long financial journey:

Traditional assets have followed a predictable path. The S&P 500 delivered a respectable 193.3% return. Gold, the timeless store of value, grew by 125.8%. Government bonds and crude oil? They barely managed to keep pace, with treasuries offering modest returns and oil crawling to a mere 4.3% gain.

Then there's Bitcoin. A digital maverick that laughs in the face of conventional wisdom, delivering a mind-boggling 26,931.1% return. To put this into perspective, every $100 invested in Bitcoin in 2014 would be worth nearly $27,000 today – a return that would make even the most aggressive investors do a double-take.

The rollercoaster of volatility

But this isn't a story of smooth sailing. Bitcoin's journey has been a wild ride of extreme highs and gut-wrenching lows. Its price has wigwagged between $172.15 and $103,679, with dramatic 70% crashes that would admittedly send most investors running for the hills. 

Despite their rocky nature, these four-year cycles, coinciding with Bitcoin halving events, have become legendary in financial circles.

A new asset class dominates

What's truly fascinating is how Bitcoin has defied traditional market correlations. Unlike stocks or gold, which often move in predictable patterns, Bitcoin has danced to its own tune. For years, it moved independently of the S&P 500, only beginning to show some correlation during major economic events like the pandemic.

The performance breakdown:

1. Bitcoin: 26,931.1%
2. S&P 500: 193.3%
3. Gold: 125.8%
4. 10-Year Treasuries: 86.8%
5. Crude Oil: 4.3%

A word of caution

While the numbers are eye-popping, this isn't a call to go all-in on Bitcoin. The asset's volatility is a double-edged sword. Its smaller market cap has allowed for explosive growth, but it also means higher risk. While Bitcoin’s results have been eye-popping, traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and gold continue to offer more stable, predictable returns.

Bitcoin drops the mic

What Bitcoin represents is more than just a financial asset.: it's a testament to the power of innovation, a digital rebellion against traditional financial systems. It challenges our understanding of value, currency, and investment.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the investment landscape will never be the same again. Bitcoin has proven that in the world of finance, sometimes the most unlikely contenders can become the most powerful players.

Note: This analysis is based on historical performance data from CoinGecko, tracking Bitcoin and traditional assets from December 2014 to December 2024.

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As the meme coin culture flares, Solana memecoins are stealing the spotlight in the 2024 bull cycle, blending internet culture with fast, low-cost blockchain. These quirky tokens have taken the crypto community by storm, with some skyrocketing almost overnight. 

But their rise isn’t just entertaining, it’s also a testament to the growing influence of community-driven projects and the unique ecosystem Solana offers. Love them or laugh at them, Solana memecoins are proving they’re more than just a joke. Here are the top 10 Solana meme coins of 2024, ranked according to market cap.

1. Bonk (BONK)

Bonk burst onto the scene as Solana's answer to Shiba Inu, timing its launch perfectly during a Solana upswing. With clever airdrops to the community and partnerships across DeFi protocols and NFT projects, Bonk quickly became a sensation, resulting in its hungry Shiba Inu mascot now being a firm icon of the ecosystem. 

Bonk didn’t just join the meme coin craze, it helped define it for Solana, with its success going on to spark a wave of Solana-based meme coins.

2. Dogwifhat (WIF)

Dogwifhat won over the crypto world with its quirky charm: a Shiba Inu in a winter hat. Unlike typical meme coins, it grew organically, fueled by genuine community engagement, with listings on major exchanges cementing its status. 

Considered a cultural sensation with endless memes and spinoffs, its success proves that a relatable concept paired with strong community ties can create real impact (a $2.2b type of impact).

3. Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)

Despite the interestingly-chosen name, Fartcoin has shown pretty impressive market performance as well as significant growth. What began as a joke has grown into a community-driven project with real utility, offering governance and staking features alongside quirky charm and resilience during market dips. 

Drawing on serious investors looking for diversification in the meme coin space, Fartcoin proves that even the most unconventional concepts can find success - when paired with innovative features and, of course, solid community support.

4. Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)

PNUT, inspired by a heartfelt tribute to Peanut (a beloved pet squirrel lost under controversial circumstances) has seen a meteoric rise. In the last few months of the year, the coin surged by 280% after its Binance listing and the buzz surrounding Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory. 

Combining this backstory with its clever branding, solid tokenomics and community rewards programs, the project has seen strong performance and managed to maintain investor confidence. 

5. ai16z (AI16Z)

ai16z cleverly combines two of the hottest trends in crypto - artificial intelligence and meme coins. The project's name plays on the famous venture capital firm a16z, adding a layer of crypto-cultural relevance. 

Its success comes from tapping into the AI buzz while keeping its community engaged with regular updates and developments. By blending humour with a touch of tech relevance, the project has carved out a unique spot in the crowded meme coin market.

6. Popcat (POPCAT)

Popcat rose to fame by tapping into the viral internet meme it's named after. With creative marketing and active social media engagement, it quickly built a loyal community. What makes Popcat unique is its growing ecosystem, featuring NFT integrations and gaming elements. 

Regular updates and strong community involvement from the development team have kept the token relevant and valuable, even during market ups and downs.

7. Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE)

Baby Doge Coin capitalised on the success of earlier dog-themed cryptocurrencies while adding its own twist: a "puppy" spin-off of the popular Dogecoin with charitable initiatives. With its adorable branding and mission to spread joy, BABYDOGE focuses on community-driven growth and rewards holders with a deflationary token model. 

Known for supporting dog rescue organisations, it combines playful crypto culture with a cause, appealing to investors and animal lovers alike.

8. Cat In A Dogs World (MEW)

MEW brought a fresh perspective to the meme coin space by playing on the eternal cats versus dogs rivalry in a dog-dominated market. 

The project's clever marketing and positioning helped it stand out among the numerous dog-themed tokens, while its success stems from strong community engagement and a well-executed social media strategy. The project has maintained momentum through regular community events and creative marketing campaigns that play on its unique positioning in the market.

9. Goatseus Maximus (GOAT)

​​Goatseus Maximus, the first AI-generated meme coin, blends classical mythology with meme culture to create a unique identity in the space. Its value is influenced by advancements in AI, offering unique speculative opportunities. 

The project has built a strong following through creative storytelling, solid tokenomics, and active community engagement. With consistent updates, well-executed marketing, and a focus on delivering promised features, the development team has maintained investor confidence and strong community trust.

10. BOOK OF MEME (BOME)

Book of Meme combines the cultural power of memes with blockchain technology, creating a unique "digital meme book." It allows users to contribute to and access a growing archive of memes while fostering an interactive, community-driven ecosystem. 

Its success comes from blending meme culture with token utility, creating a sense of historical significance and building a strong, engaged community. Regular content creation and community involvement have helped maintain interest and value in the token.

That’s a wrap

The success of Solana's top meme coins in 2024 marks a shift in the crypto landscape. Projects like BONK and dogwifhat have shown that meme coins are more than just trends. The key to their success lies in strong community engagement, creative branding, and Solana's technical strengths. 

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From charity-driven Baby Doge Coin to AI-powered Goatseus Maximus and unique projects like Cat In A Dogs World, these coins are proving that meme culture and blockchain technology can create lasting value.

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Ever heard of the "Santa Claus Rally"? Coined by Yale Hirsch and borrowed from traditional market terminology, this phenomenon describes a year-end increase in asset prices, more specifically the last 5 trading days of December and first 2 of January. In the crypto market, there have been 5 Santa Claus Rallies in the last 10 years, while 8 rallies were recorded in the pre-Christmas period from 19 - 25 December. During these rallies, total crypto market capitalisation has seen gains ranging from 0.2% to an impressive 11%.

Let’s explore the validity of this concept, and how it pertains to the crypto markets. 

Pre-Christmas vs. post-Christmas trends

The term "Santa Claus Rally" might sound like wishful thinking, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Over the past ten years, the crypto market has demonstrated an interesting pattern of performance during the holiday season, with market capitalisations showing unexpected movements that defy simple predictions.

Interestingly, pre-Christmas Bitcoin rallies (19 to 25 December) were the most frequent, with gains ranging from a modest 0.2% to 13%. 

However, when the BTC market turned bearish, pullbacks were typically more severe after Christmas than before. The largest dip, a wild 21%, occurred in 2017 following the ICO boom. Pre-Christmas declines, meanwhile, were more moderate, with decreases of 6% in 2017 and 1% in 2019.

Years with double rallies

Bitcoin, typically illustrating broader market trends, has delivered equally compelling year-end performances. Over the past decade, it recorded pre-Christmas rallies 8 times, with its standout surge occurring in 2016, with a 13% increase in the week leading up to Christmas and 10% gains post-Christmas.

On the flip side, 2017 marked a dramatic downturn, with Bitcoin's price plunging 21%, highlighting the market's inherent volatility.

Interestingly, only three years (2016, 2020, and 2023) witnessed consistent crypto market gains both before and after Christmas as well as overall in the month of December. Similarly, in 2023, while slight, the crypto market rebounded from bearish territory with gains of 1% before Christmas and 4% after, making a total of 12% gains over the entire month. 

The broader December effect

Zooming out, the month of December paints a more dynamic picture. Half of the past decade saw December-wide market increases ranging from 12% (2023) to a dramatic 47% (2020). 

On the flip side, during bearish Decembers, losses ranged between 4% and 17%.

Bitcoin and the Santa Claus effect

Looking over the numbers, from 2014 to 2023, Bitcoin has seen 5 Santa Claus rallies, peaking at 11% in 2020. However, Bitcoin also faced notable declines, including a dramatic 21% drop in 2017 during the post-Christmas period.

On average, speculating on Bitcoin during Santa Claus rally periods would have yielded modest returns of about 1.3% pre- and post-Christmas. In comparison, holding Bitcoin throughout December delivered a much higher average return of 9.5%, illustrating the variability and inconsistency of the Santa Claus effect.

Takeaway: a mixed bag of opportunities

The Santa Claus Rally remains an inconsistent occurrence in the crypto space. While historical data provides intriguing patterns, traders should approach this trend with cautious optimism, as past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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