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The Importance of Financial Well-Being

Brought to you by your Member Assistance Program.

 

Financial health can be an important part of total health. In fact, improving your financial well-being can help you avoid sleep loss, anxiety, digestive problems and other physical health issues that can happen when you are faced with stresses about money. Since mental and physical health can directly benefit from healthy finances, it's vital to take steps to help improve financial well-being.

You can achieve financial well-being when you:

  • Have control over day-to-day and month-to-month finances.
  • Have the money to absorb a financial shock.
  • Are on track to meet your financial goals.
  • Have the financial freedom to make choices that allow you to enjoy life.

 

How can you start on your journey to financial wellness? Try taking these three steps:

  • Take a close look at your current situation; determine if there is a pattern to how much and when you spend.
  • Create a realistic budget and stick to it.
  • Ask for help. Your Member Assistance Program can be a great resource for you, with guides to setting goals, creating budgets and working toward all aspects of total health.

Creating a budget - and sticking with it

Making and sticking to a budget are key steps toward financial wellness. Getting started can be the hardest part, especially if your finances feel out of control. These easy-to-follow steps can help you create a budget that works well for you.

  • Step 1: Record all of your sources of income. You may be self-employed, have multiple jobs or receive child support or government benefits. All of these sources should factor into what you have available to make ends meet.
  • Step 2: Log all of your spending. If this feels overwhelming, start small and look at your expenses one week at a time by either reviewing your receipts or your checking account. You could also start a daily log of your expenses so you're making sure to capture those small expenses - like buying breakfast or lunch instead of bringing it with you - that add up over time.
  • Step 3: Write down what bills you are expecting and when they are due. Mortgage or rent, utilities, car payments, payments on debts and parking fees all add up in your budget.
  • Step 4: Create your working budget. Once you've identified all your income sources and started tracking your spending and when your bills are due, you can use this budget worksheet from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to create a working and realistic budget.

 

After you've created your budget, remember - you have to stick to it. Following a budget takes effort, but here are a few important tips for being successful:

  • Create a budget tracking method that works for you, whether it's a daily journal or putting receipts in a folder that you review at the end of each week.
  • Look at your spending habits and adjust accordingly. If you know you're prone to impulse spending, create a plan that is doable to help you limit that spending. Or, if you know you spend a lot in the summer on weekend getaways, plan for those expenses year-round.
  • Set a goal. Whether it's small or large, it's helpful to have an end goal and something you're working toward. Also, rewarding yourself, even in small ways, can help you keep up with any progress you have made.
  • Develop a support system. Similar to sticking to an exercise routine, it's easier when you're surrounded by family and friends you can trust to offer you support, either by doing a budget with you or helping you find answers to your questions.

If you could use more advice on budgeting, please reach out to your Member Assistance Program for guidance.

Budgeting in Uncertain Times

The pandemic has had a major impact on people's lives, and for many, that includes finances. Taking a close look at your personal finances and making a financial plan can help alleviate any stress you might have experienced from the impact of COVID-19.

Budgeting during the current pandemic has many of the same basic steps you would take if you were creating a budget at any other time. Once you have defined your budget, take steps to:

  1. Prioritize. Looking at the list of expenses that you just created, determine what are the most important items. Basic needs, like food and housing, are at the top of the priority list. The greatest cuts to your budget will be to areas that are wants and not needs.
  2. Locate assistance resources if you need them. Communities are working together to provide food assistance for those in need. Keep in mind that financial assistance is always a limited resource. A good starting place when trying to locate financial assistance programs is by calling 211 or going online at unitedway.org/our-impact/featured-programs/2-1-1.
  3. Save where you can. Even if your income isn't being impacted by the pandemic, it's a good idea to create a saving plan. That way you'll be prepared for other possible disruptions in the future.

 

Also, to help ensure your financial health through the pandemic, it's important to preserve or improve your physical and mental health. Continue to exercise, eat nutritious foods, manage your mental health and take all the steps you can to protect yourself against COVID-19.

Saving for Retirement

No matter what your age, it's never too early (or too late) to start planning for retirement. Saving enough to retire requires years of planning and effort, since according to experts, you may need as much as 80% of your preretirement income to continue living as you do now. The exact amount will depend on your individual needs.

As you plan, ask yourself these important questions:

  • At what age do you plan to retire? Even a few extra years of working can mean more income for you in the future.
  • Can you participate in an employer's retirement savings plan? This includes 401(k) plans, like the Northern California Carpenters 401(k) Plan, and traditional pension plans. In some cases, employers will match your contributions as a benefit.
  • If you have a spouse or partner, will they retire when you do? Consider both of your situations together.
  • Where do you plan to live when you retire? Will you downsize, rent or own your home? If you have a mortgage, will it be paid off by then?
  • Do you expect to work part-time? What do you see yourself doing?
  • Will you have the same medical insurance you had while working? Will your insurance coverage change? Don't assume Medicare will be your only coverage when you retire.
  • Do you want to travel or pursue new hobbies? If so, you may want to build additional long-term savings into your plan.

 

Here are some tips for starting to plan for your retirement:

  • Get insight for building your retirement savings by reading articles from reputable sources. Contacting your Member Assistance Program is a great place to start.
  • See how the age you retire affects how much you'll receive from Social Security. Social Security Administration offers several Benefit Calculators
  • Social Security pays benefits that are generally equal to about 40% of your preretirement earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has online tools to help you estimate your benefits: ssa.gov/benefits/retirement.
  • Learn from Investor.gov how you can boost your retirement savings: investor.gov/additional-resources/retirement-toolkit/first-job.
  • If you have a financial advisor, talk to them about your plans.

If you'd like guidance with planning for your retirement, your Member Assistance Program is available to point you in the right direction.

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