Financial Literacy Month - By Jeff Newkirk

April is National Financial Literacy Month. This is a great time to evaluate your financial situation and what you can improve on. If you are not good at maintaining a budget, you’re not alone. It’s time to reflect on your earnings and plan your long and short-term financial goals. 

To establish a budget and financial plan or even take a more active role in managing your investment, seek expert advice. When it does come time to review, it may be overwhelming. 

Here are 8 tips to help you with financial planning this month. 

1. Commit to Changing Your Ways Financially 

It’s crucial to develop the right financial plan for you and examine what needs to change with your finances. Are you ready to start changing your financial situation? Do you think you can change the way you make financial decisions? Identify how you can benefit from changing the way you manage your money and begin the process of better handling your money. 

2.      Review Your Finances 

Review what you have on your plate financially right now. Look at where your strengths are and where you can make improvements. This is an opportunity to be honest about your finances and your relationship with money. Write down and collect your feelings and findings. Organize your financial records while collecting data. You can organize your financial information accordingly on an updated spreadsheet or document. 

3.       Make your money Count 

To develop the amount of money you wish to gain and maintain in the future, you need to look back. Evaluate your income and sources, and then set how much you want to earn in the future. That’s why identifying ways to reduce spending now is so essential. Create a balanced budget that corresponds with your income and expenses. That way, you find ways to spend less. If spending less is a challenge in your current situation, try starting in small ways. 

Try saving money by cooking meals at home, limiting your shopping habits, or even making your own coffee at home instead of going to your local cafe. These are all small things toward limiting your expenses each month. Only splurge when you really need to. This way, you can build the habit of spending within your means and start putting more money away in your savings.

4.       Identify a Starting Point 

A starting point means calculating your net worth and comparing what you owe (liabilities) and what you own in assets. Knowing where your money goes each day, week, and month is the foundation of financial planning. 

5.       Review your debt

When it comes to finances, debt weighs heavy on most Americans. Whether it’s school debt, medical, or personal debt, it’s important to take control of these debts. Take an honest look at all your debts and calculate how much you owe. This will help you evaluate your overall financial state. 

6.       Establish Your Priorities 

Create a list of your wants and needs. When you have a complex financial situation, building a plan that accounts for everything can be challenging. Dig into the details first, documenting income, expenses, and assets before making the plan.

7.       Set Financial Goals 

Set a specific goal, and determine what you want to change. Make sure whatever this goal is that it’s attainable and trackable. That way, you can check on milestones as you go. Commit to a goal that will remind you of your financial goals. This way, you are securing your financial future and becoming more prepared. 

8.       Seek Financial Consulting

Sometimes you can’t do it all on your own. There are professionals who can help you develop a foundation for your financial plan based on whatever specific goal you may have. Advisors can map out the overall financial status, including assets, income, and expenses, develop methods and work on those expectations and goals.