It’s Time for Your End-of-Year Financial Health Checkup
- December 29, 2021
The end of year is a great time to get a financial health checkup to make sure your finances are on track.
With regular checkups, you can fix small problems before they become big issues.
This year-end, keeping financially healthy is especially important. That’s because of uncertainties related to inflation, inventory shortages, as well as the expiration of COVID relief programs put in place more than a year ago to help people manage through the pandemic.
Your Financial Health Check Up
Like a health checkup, a financial checkup examines your vital signs to be sure all is well when it comes to your financial health and wellness.
Do you have an emergency savings? How do credit card balances look? Are you tracking monthly income and expenses? What does your credit score and history look like? These are a few of the vitals reviewed during an end-of-year financial checkup.
FINANCIAL FITNESS STARTS WITH A CHECKUP
Set yourself up for success in the months ahead, even in the face of uncertain economic times.
Just as an annual physical can be important for your health or a regular oil change can extend the life of your car, a “financial health check” is a great way to boost your financial wellness.
TALK TO A FINANCIAL EXPERT TODAY
Everyone who calls GreenPath receives a free financial counseling session. Contact us and start your financial wellness journey.
From an overall budget review to managing credit card debt, the caring, NFCC-certified counselors at GreenPath will conduct a full review of your current financial fitness and provide recommended next steps for improving your financial health.
A financial checkup guides you to:
- Check Your Financial Goals: Has there been a significant life change this past year? A change in jobs, a marriage, divorce, home purchase or other big change can affect your overall financial picture. A checkup is a good time to assess whether your current financial goals syncs up with your overall situation.
- Plan as Relief Programs Expire: Loans that are deferred as part of COVID-related relief programs need your attention. The money borrowed is still owed, and the debt has to be repaid. Deferments provided borrowers with a little breathing room, but now that the temporary pause in payments have expired, a checkup is good opportunity to understand options, and take a closer look at not only any loans that were on pause but also your entire financial picture.
- Prioritize: One of the best ways to cope with inflation is to take the time to prioritize monthly spending. A spending plan helps to ensure that what you spend matches what you make each month as prices rise. A financial checkup gives you a better understanding of your income and expenses. It can also be a time to set a spending plan to keep your finances on track and start saving for future goals.
- Pay Down Debt: A checkup is a good time to explore options to help you pay down credit card debt as well as options for managing other debts that may be on the horizon – such as expiring forbearances on mortgages or student loan payments.
- Check Your Numbers: What are your numbers when it comes to credit? Looking to take out a mortgage or make another large purchase in the New Year? A checkup is a great time to review your credit report to see where you stand, and get tips to improve your score moving forward.
Your Checkup Starts Here
Your financial fitness is key to a healthy New Year.
GreenPath’s caring, certified counselors are committed to easing financial stress and worry through access to clear information.
Connect with GreenPath for your checkup to gain confidence over your money choices during a time of inflation or shortages.
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TALK TO A GREENPATH COUNSELOR
GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted national nonprofit with more than 60-years. Start a conversation with an expert.