Financial Wellness- How Do You score?

If you do a Google search for financial wellness, you will find many definitions or explanations. Financial wellness doesn’t have just one meaning because it means something different to each person. Financial wellness is a broad term that encompasses these key areas:

• Taking control of your money before it controls you.
• Determining how safe your money is.
• Planning what to do with your money.

How you interact with your money determines how ‘financially well’ or ‘sick’ you are. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial wellness has moved to one of the top concerns for many people, especially those unprepared for short-term cash needs. This period has allowed us to assess what we did wrong financially and what we have done right- both of which affect our financial well-being.

Regardless of the relationship, you have with your money, there are three things to remember:

1. Financial wellness allows you to live the life you’ve earned- literally. When you manage your money well, you can have shelter, food, and clothing and participate in the broader economy you have helped create.
2. Financial wellness prepares you for future short-term and long-term expenses and emergencies that may arise. Part of being prepared is where you keep your money. Is it accessible and safe?
3. Financial wellness requires planning how you want your money to fund your future goals. A new car, home, and being able to retire on your terms are all possible. Setting goals is part of acquiring money, saving it, planning what you want to use it for, and spending your money when appropriate to your plan.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. The CFPB financial well-being survey is an excellent place to start to check your financial wellness and see how you compare to other Americans. The website additionally provides resources to help you improve your financial health.

Financial well-being means having financial security and financial freedom to make choices.

When it comes to financial wellness, two people with the same income can have differing financial wellness depending on their preferences or lack of a plan. After completing the CFBD survey, you have questions about improving your financial well-being or retirement goal setting, let’s get together soon.

Disclosure: This information is provided as general information and is not intended to be specific financial or tax guidance. The sources used to prepare this material are believed to be true, accurate and reliable, but are not guaranteed.

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As a retirement income specialist and 38-year veteran of the financial services industry, August H. Velten understands what his clients need in order to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Augie is a former instructor for the Life Underwriter Training Council. He once occupied the legislative seat for the Maine Association of Life Insurers. At August H Velten & Associates, we know that it is your retirement, and you should have control over it. We offer our experience and knowledge to help you design a custom strategy for financial independence. Contact us today to schedule an introductory meeting!