"Why do I work so hard but never have any money left?" This is a classic question from young people trapped in a single income stream amid soaring living costs and low deposit interest rates. For the new generation stuck with only one source of income, rising living expenses combined with low bank deposit interest mean that simply "saving money" is no longer the ultimate answer to financial freedom.
. At the “Thairath Money Campus Tour 2026” held at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom campus, professional financial advisors from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited revealed a secret formula to transform anyone into the "master" of their money. They shared strategies for building a solid financial foundation from the first step of saving to harnessing the power of compound interest, where "time" is the most powerful weapon, under the theme "SMART START: A Good Financial Life Begins with Understanding Basics."
Saowaros Taweebanjongsin, a financial advisor from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, said that in today's world, the greatest risk is having only "one source of income." Exchanging work for money, or Active Income, whether as a salaried employee or business owner, is a crucial gear at the start.
But the key is to make that money "grow" into Passive Income, working for you while you rest. Your investment portfolio should act like an employee working 24/7. The goal isn't just to have money, but to have "time" to live with family without worrying about financial burdens.
Saowaros continued that financial planning is like building a house. Many rush to "accumulate" (invest) because they want to get rich quickly, but if the foundation is weak, the house will easily collapse. So you must start with
1. Building liquidity. Begin with good cash flow and an emergency fund covering 6-12 months. The post-COVID era taught us that certainty is uncertainty. This fund is your lifeline, allowing you to survive without selling assets at a loss during crises.
2. Protecting against risks. Do not overlook insurance because a single accident or serious illness can wipe out your life savings in an instant. Using a small amount of money to protect a large sum is smart financial discipline.
3. Accumulating wealth. Once your base is solid, then move on to investments that suit your lifestyle.
Choose the right assets in the style you prefer: "travel independently" or "join a tour."
Investing is diverse like travel. If you have time and enjoy deep research into financial statements, picking individual stocks is like planning your own trip where you control everything. If you lack time, "going with a tour" by investing through mutual funds professionally managed is an efficient option.
Passive funds suit those who believe in long-term market potential with low fees and returns tracking indexes, while active funds appeal to those wanting to beat the market by paying higher fees for expert fund managers selecting the best assets.
Jutarat Kaewjaeng, a financial advisor from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, added that beginners often ask, "When is the best time to buy?" The surprising truth is that over 90% of long-term returns come from asset allocation, not market timing.
Therefore, diversifying money into stocks, bonds, and alternative assets helps reduce portfolio volatility. As the saying goes, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." No asset wins the market every year. Proper allocation prevents the portfolio from soaring too high with risk or plunging too low causing panic.
Jutarat continued that the key to sustainable portfolio growth is not luck or fate but the 'wealth equation' consisting of three powerful elements. Without any one of these, financial freedom may remain just a dream.
1. Principal Discipline comes from the practice of 'saving before spending.' Accept the truth: without seeds, there is no tree. Principal is the initial fuel born from strict financial discipline, shifting the mindset from saving leftovers to immediately setting aside savings as income arrives. This builds the life capital that powers the next steps.
2. Returns The growth from 'knowledge,' not gambling. Idle principal erodes due to inflation, so choosing the right assets is crucial. Higher returns usually require knowledge and understanding of risks. Investing in stocks, mutual funds, or alternatives acts as a 'turbo boost' to make your money work efficiently for you.
3. Time The most powerful secret weapon... yet irreplaceable. Among all factors, 'time' is limited and priceless. It is the most potent 'multiplier' in finance through compound interest. Starting a DCA (dollar-cost averaging) strategy now builds a 'money machine' that doesn't rely on market timing but uses consistency to drive exponential portfolio growth over 10-20 years.
It is undeniable that money is neither distant nor a complicated formula but a matter of managing "basics" and "attitudes" toward life.
Overcoming the question "Why do I work so hard but have no money left?" depends not on how much you earn but on how well you manage your money. Like building a strong financial house by laying a liquidity foundation, sealing leaks through risk protection, and letting time work through consistent investing is the path to truly becoming the "master of your money" rather than just a money earner.
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