• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Snoop Dog’s financial advice is solid

It turns out — according to financial experts — that spending 10% and saving 90% is sound advice for handling a financial windfall.

“Snoop Dogg’s comment highlights the importance of prioritizing long-term financial stability over immediate gratification, which is solid advice,” Maria Castillo Dominguez, a certified financial planner and founder of Valoria Wealth Management, told CNBC.

A financial windfall refers to receiving a one-time spike in income that isn’t part of your usual income — and it’s often unexpected. A windfall doesn’t just refer to winning the lottery. It could be a gift, an inheritance or an unexpectedly large work bonus. While it’s tempting to spend that on something extravagant (like an elaborate wedding), you may want to take a beat before doing anything impulsive.

For example, do you want to pay off your credit card debt? Do you want to buy a home or pay off your existing mortgage? While there’s nothing wrong with spending a small portion of that money on something fun and frivolous, you could use the rest to generate more money through saving and investing.

For example, if you get a hefty work bonus, you may want to consider investing it in a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k) to help lower your tax bill until you make a withdrawal.

“Setting clear goals and even consulting a financial planner can help ensure the windfall works for you over the long term,” Catherine Valega, a CFP and founder of Green Bee Advisory, told CNBC.

Discover how a simple decision today could lead to an extra $1.3 million in retirement

Learn how you can set yourself up for a more prosperous future by exploring why so many people who work with financial advisors retire with more wealth.

Discover the full story and see how you could be on the path to an extra $1.3 million in retirement.

Read More

Look to the future

Contrary to some high-profile stories of lottery winners squandering their millions, it turns out that most people who receive a windfall take Snoop Dogg’s advice.

One study from Springer’s Journal of Family and Economic Issues found that people who receive a large inheritance tend to save about half of it, while another study from Wiley’s American Journal of Economics and Socoiology suggests that winners of large lump-sum lotteries tend to save and invest large portions.

Of course, how we react to a windfall may depend on our economic background and mentality towards money.

Those who are already inclined to save and invest may continue to do so with a sudden influx of cash, while those struggling to make ends meet may use all of the money to pay off debt. Both of these decisions are valid and can improve your financial future.

It could be helpful to take stock of both your retirement savings and outstanding debt before you spend your windfall. You may want to speak to a financial advisor about where the money would make the most impact to help you reach your long-term goals.

For instance, it could be used to start an emergency fund, become debt free or bolster your children’s college fund.

If the windfall is very large, you may want to assemble a team, including a financial advisor and an accountant, to help you manage it. Depending on the type and size of the windfall, you might also have to pay taxes on it.

For instance, lottery winnings are taxed as ordinary income, as are gifts or inheritances above certain thresholds. The IRS has tools to help you determine if your gift or inheritance is taxable, and your financial team may have strategies to help you minimize the taxes you pay.

So if you’ve just received a windfall, you may want to consider Snoop Dogg’s fatherly advice.

Sponsored

This 2 minute move could knock $500/year off your car insurance in 2024

OfficialCarInsurance.com lets you compare quotes from trusted brands, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO to make sure you're getting the best deal.

You can switch to a more affordable auto insurance option in 2 minutes by providing some information about yourself and your vehicle and choosing from their tailor-made results. Find offers as low as $29 a month.

Vawn Himmelsbach Freelance Contributor

Vawn Himmelsbach is a journalist who has been covering tech, business and travel for more than two decades. Her work has been published in a variety of publications, including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, CBC News, ITbusiness, CAA Magazine, Zoomer, BOLD Magazine and Travelweek, among others.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.

†Terms and Conditions apply.