5 things to consider for financial fitness
We all have our ideas about being fit? For some people it means never missing their early morning walk. Others might go for a run, cycle or eat healthy. Fitness is very personal. You don’t need to be able to run a marathon to be fit. It’s about what your personal goals and desires are.
Just like physical fitness, being fit financially has many areas. The good news is that just like getting into shape you can assess your financial fitness and take actions to improve it. And if you keep your goals in mind as you earn and spend your money, you can achieve a high degree of financial health over the long run. So the question is, how fit are your finances? And how can you measure it?
- Sticking to a budget = financial fitness.
- Increasing saving and reducing spending = financial fitness.
- Growing your money through investments = financial fitness.
- Planning for your retirement with super and other investments = financial fitness.
- Being covered for unexpected financial situations = financial fitness.
1. Evaluating your finances
In the same way fitness is often a result of a healthy diet and exercise (calories you consume and work off), when it comes to your finances, you need a balanced budget to ensure your income and outgoings are working efficiently for maximum financial outcomes.
Sticking to a budget = financial fitness.
2. Saving and spending
Much like you need a caloric deficit to lose fat, create a deficit spending to save money. Planning your meals for the week and tracking calories each day, why not do the same with money? Have you been consuming too many credit card-ohydrates? That can lead to serious weight-gain in the area of repayments. They’re easy to put on, slower to take off. We’ve all been there. But toning your credit card debt can be done, and the exercise will make you strong. Saving, like not eating that extra chocolate slice also takes willpower.
Increasing saving and reducing spending = financial fitness.
3. Investments
Just as the fittest bodies have a high ratio of muscle to fat and bone, a range of different kinds of investments can give you a level of financial security that will help you worry less about the future. And a mix of investments that can be flexible as your life and circumstances change is also a key for success.
Growing your money through investments = financial fitness.
4. Life after work
There’s so many things you want to do after you finish working. But you’ve got to be fit financially in order to do them. By focusing on building strength and endurance in your financial muscles, you’ll be fit enough to do what you want in retirement.
Planning for your retirement with super and other investments = financial fitness.
5. Insurance
Have you ever noticed how many super-fit people don’t even look it? Their strength and endurance only becomes apparent when they put stress on their muscles. When it comes to money, the fittest people financially often have an invisible asset working for them too. It’s called insurance. They know that even if they get sick or can’t work for a while, they’re covered.
Being covered for unexpected financial situations = financial fitness.
Are you financially fit? If you’re like most people, you could probably be a little fitter than you are now. The good news is that almost everyone can get fitter financially. Maybe it’s time to consider talking to 1st Financial Foundations about your financial fitness. It’s so much easier if you have someone to work out with. Call us 0n 01908 523 420 or email info@95.154.196.167
source: PKF international, Listen money matters.com