The connection between financial health & physical well-being

A 2015 survey conducted by one of the largest banks in the US revealed that 81% of respondents found other goals much easier to achieve when their finances were in order, whilst 70% stated that good financial health had a positive impact on their physical health.
 
Alternatively, poor financial health can have a devastating ripple effect. Money worries are commonly related to stress and anxiety which may manifest in physical symptoms such as lack of sleep, increased blood pressure and heart problems. Mental health issues such as depression can also arise when financial fears are present. This will not only impact one person in a household but all of their loved ones too and can possibly flow over into the workplace as well.
 
Beyond the impact on physical health, our financial health touches on every aspect of our lives such as attitudes, behaviours and emotional stability. Our sense of worth is often linked to feeling safe and secure financially.
 
Most of us probably have a good sense of what it takes to improve our physical health and of course, there is a whole manner of approaches. We may be driven by competing in a sporting event, join a gym, commit to weekly exercise with friends or become better informed about your food choices
 
It’s no different when it comes to our financial health and it’s important to have goals to strive for. Research repeatedly indicates that financial health and physical well-being go hand-in-hand.
 
So, how is your financial fitness? Are you standing tall and proud or conversely, gasping for air with a big hill to climb? And with that being the case, we thought we’d delve a little deeper.

What does financial well-being mean?

To achieve financial well-being, we must first understand it. And while it is a very personal state, many of us are driven by the similar objectives. Great financial health is less about the bottom line than about having financial security and having the financial freedom to make choices, now and in the future.
 
Financial well-being can be measured from a day-to-day (or month-to-month) perspective, i.e. savings, paying for holidays, home renovations without going backwards. We also want the freedom to meet long-term financial goals such as paying off the mortgage or retiring comfortably.
 
Another important factor that contributes to financial ‘fitness’ is being ready for any curve balls that may come about such as job loss, ill health affecting income for a time or challenges periods in business.
 

8 important steps to help you get on track…

1. DO – Draw up a budget

It’s not about how much you earn but rather, about how much you spend and how much you save. Make it easier for yourself and keep clear records. Be honest. Write down your expenses for the past three months. Most people have no idea of their spending, especially when they don’t account for it and yet, they know, down to the dollar, how much comes in on payday.

2. DO – Avoid Auto-pilot mode

Using PayPass, credit cards, all point to auto-pilot spending. If you’re on auto-pilot mode you’re much more likely to overspend.

3. DO – Make sure you Save - even its a small amount

Pay yourself first in the form of putting some money away for another day. Saving means having a buffer in case of an emergency (not a new pair of shoes kind of emergency) but it also means you’re less likely to take out small loans or apply for credit cards. Saving will bring about personal satisfaction – you’ll know you’ll have worked hard for that holiday outfit/monster TV

4. DO – Avoid Bad Debt

Credit cards, personal loans and lines of credit are all dollar deprivers. Most forms of consumer debt are easily obtained but have fees (application, administration, hidden fees) and interest rates as high as 25%. Having some simple savings measures in place will ensure that it’s not costing you far more than you bargained for.

Debt can weigh heavily on people’s mind especially when they can’t get on top of repayments.  It can be easy to overextend yourself on ‘bad debt’ to fund holidays, credit cards etc. and feel like you have become forever stuck on that ‘paying interest’ merry-go-round. Knowing what you want to focus your hard-earned income towards can help prioritise your financial decisions.

5. DO – Reduce Debt

Try to pay your "bad debt" down sooner than the arranged time frame. Look at whether you can allocate more money on a weekly basis – even if it’s only a small amount. With long-term debts, a little extra money each week can work significantly in your favour when it comes to the interest you’re paying.

6. DO – Have Investments

Having long-term investments (and therefore, money aside) is great for your peace of mind. Investments can also put you on the path to financial abundance. Investing can mean greater growth and a better income than that available through your bank/term deposits. Contributing to investments regularly over time helps even out market risk.

7. DO – Have a Safety Net in place

We are often amazed at how many people have their homes and cars insured but not themselves. You are your biggest asset in the form of being able to earn an income. What happens if sickness or accident strikes and you’re unable to work long-term?  How much sick leave and annual leave do you have? Who will pay the bills and put food on the table if you’re unable to work? Filling the ‘risk gap’ with reliance on either sellable assets or personal insurance policies is super important. This means that when the proverbial hits the fan, you may be struggling physically or mentally but at least your financial side is still keeping you and your family afloat.

8. DO – Ask for professional help

In the same way that some people choose to engage a personal trainer to help them develop a health and fitness plan, a Financial Planner can help you; define your budget and financial parameters, get you on track and keep you accountable.