The Basics of Financial Strategy

Some financial decisions can have long-lasting impacts on our lives, so it’s never been more important to arm ourselves with financial knowledge. Whether navigating the early stages of your career, managing a family budget, or planning for retirement, having a financial strategy can help you manage through some of life’s most turbulent challenges. The "basics of financial strategy" can refer to several principles, but let’s dive into some of the most important concepts.

Individuals can make more informed decisions with a solid understanding of some of the most fundamental financial principles. It seems like every single day, we’re overloaded with information about the economy, financial risk, insurance opportunities, banks, and credit. Financial literacy allows you to sift through this information and pick out key snippets relevant to your financial well-being. Furthermore, understanding the financial landscape can help individuals recognize and avoid scams. Protecting your assets and personal information can potentially help prevent a significant setback, so be careful with whom you share your personal information.

One way to set yourself up for success is accountability for your assets. An essential part of budgeting is reviewing your monthly income and expenses. If you live in a dual-income household, add that number and compare it to your monthly expenses. Think about your house payments, car payments, grocery bills, monthly retirement funds, and every other recurring expense, then compare that number to your monthly income. By reviewing your finances regularly, you can set yourself up for success by creating a budget.

Setting up a budget is essential for those who should watch their spending. Outlining your monthly income and expenses enables you to allocate every dollar towards a necessity before shopping for luxuries. You can also budget for long-term goals by setting aside money for a down payment on a house, a vacation, higher education, preparing for retirement, or even paying off debt. Budgeting also forces you to take a closer look at your spending habits. With this insight, you can decide where to cut back.

One way or another, debt could be a part of your life. Even if you’re experienced with money management, medical expenses and student loans can sometimes pile up unexpectedly. Dealing with debt requires a strategic approach to manage and eliminate it. Start by listing your debts and minimum payment requirements to understand what you owe more clearly. From there, try to create a budget and make more than the minimum payments whenever you can. With any extra funds, prioritize debts with the highest interest rates. Paying off debt may take some time, but you’ll eventually regain your financial independence with mindful spending and budgeting.

Being flexible and ready to adapt your finances to life changes is crucial for maintaining long-term financial stability. Major life events such as marriage, parenthood, buying a new home, or changes to your job status can all affect your finances. Consider how it may affect your monthly spending habits when anticipating one of these changes in the coming months. At some point, life may even throw you a curveball via an injury, job loss, or a natural disaster. To alleviate the financial shock from one of these events, plan ahead by looking into what types of insurance coverage are appropriate for you.

When in doubt, don’t guess with your finances. If you need assistance with how to proceed, a financial professional can help steer you in the right direction with a financial needs analysis. After years of training and experience, these pros can provide valuable insights tailored to your financial situation, helping you make informed decisions. Furthermore, a licensed agent typically has access to a wide range of resources and tools to help create a financial strategy.

Whether you're a financial novice or looking to brush up on your skills, try to take the time to review your finances and form good consumer habits. The complexities of one’s finances may vary over time. However, you could prepare for long-term success by reviewing and implementing a financial strategy.