I can save by cutting out coffee.

The financial fallacy here is assuming that merely cutting out small discretionary spending like coffee will lead to substantial savings. True, eliminating such daily costs can contribute to savings over time, but it might not radically transform your finances. It’s often small symbolic measures that don’t address the larger issues. People often look at small non-essential purchases like coffee as the enemy, when substantive expenses like rent, transportation, medical care, and consumer debt may be the actual issues.

Invest in high-risk, high-reward ventures.

Investing in high-risk, high-reward ventures as a guaranteed route to financial success is a fallacy for several reasons. Firstly, while it’s true that high-risk investments can yield high returns, they can also result in substantial losses. It’s called “high-risk” for a reason - the potential for loss is just as great, if not greater, than the potential for gain. Secondly, this fallacy tends to oversimplify the concept of investing by reducing it to a simple gamble, which is not accurate. It doesn’t take into account the importance of factors such as portfolio diversification, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

My children are my retirement fund.

This fallacy can be seen from a few perspectives:

I’ll work forever, I don’t need to fund my retirement.

This is a financial fallacy due to several reasons:

I only buy the most popular stocks.

“I only buy the most popular stocks”: Most popular stocks often refer to the stocks of renowned or high visibility companies that constantly get covered in the news. Investing solely based on popularity is a fallacy since popular stocks aren’t necessarily the best or the most profitable ones. High popularity often leads to overvaluation of stocks, causing investors to buy at a high price. Many of these stocks might not provide the best returns relative to their risk level. Moreover, investing only in popular stocks means you are not diversifying your portfolio, which is a cardinal investment principle to limit losses.

Look for the highest dividend yield.

Looking for the highest dividend yield is a financial fallacy essentially because a high dividend yield is not always synonymous with a healthy or successful business. Some individuals perceive a high dividend yield as a sure bet on return on investment. This misconception is often because the dividend yield represents the return investors receive for every dollar they invest in a company’s equity. However, a high dividend yield could also be a warning sign that the company is experiencing financial difficulties.

Invest on trendy cryptocurrencies.

Investing in trendy cryptocurrencies is often seen as a financial fallacy due to several reasons. Firstly, cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and could fluctuate wildly in very short time periods, making them a high-risk investment. Its value is purely speculative and based on the market demand, without any underlying assets or cash flows to support it. In essence, you are betting on other investors being willing to pay more for it in the future.

I can rely on my partner’s credit score.

Relying solely on your partner’s credit score is a financial fallacy because credit scores are individually based, not joint. Financial institutions look at each person’s credit history separately when determining credit eligibility, regardless of marital status. Your partner’s good credit score does not automatically provide you with credit, and if your credit history is poor or non-existent, this can limit your access to credit. Besides, in unfortunate events like a breakup or the death of the partner, you might find yourself financially vulnerable if you never built a credit history of your own.

Invest based on recent performance.

The statement, “Invest based on recent performance” is a financial fallacy due to a concept known as “recency bias.” This means investors often make decisions based on the most recent information or events, which can negatively impact long-term investment strategies. Investing based on recent performance assumes that an investment that performed well recently will continue to do well in the future. This is akin to the gambler’s fallacy; in reality, investment markets are not predictable in the short term and past performance is not a consistent indicator of future outcomes.

I can spend and skip retirement contributions for a year.

The idea of skipping retirement contributions for a year and spending instead might seem attractive at first, particularly in a challenging year when money feels tight. However, this is indeed a financial fallacy for several important reasons. Firstly, retirement contributions shouldn’t be seen as optional or as a luxury that can be skipped. They’re an essential part of securing your financial future. When you skip a year of contributions, you lose out significantly on potential gains, primarily due to the power of compounding.

You need a lot of money to start a business.

Firstly, having a lot of money to start a business is a financial fallacy because it assumes that business success is mainly dependent on capital. While capital is undeniably important, it’s not the only critical component. Many businesses have started with meager finances and grown into successful enterprises thanks to a valuable offering and good management. Furthermore, certain types of businesses, such as online businesses, freelance work, or consulting, require little initial capital. What matters most is a clear plan, resourcefulness, and the ability to navigate the early stages of business growth.

Car loans are necessary to build credit.

The belief that car loans are necessary to build credit is a financial fallacy primarily due to the belief that there are no other methods to boost one’s credit. It’s crucial to remember that car loans, like any other form of debt, can have both positive and negative impacts on your credit score. For instance, if you promptly pay your car loan, it can positively impact your credit. However, if payments are missed, this can put a dent in your credit score. Furthermore, taking out a car loan means that you’re committing to paying interest which isn’t necessarily beneficial to your financial health if not necessary.