Plan for a Secure Financial Future

  (Family Features) A bumpy economy and rising cost of living have Americans rethinking their finances. In fact, about 36% of households feel anxious about their current financial situation, according to the Financial IQ Study by World Financial Group. Although short-term pressures and demands can make it difficult, developing a financial strategy based on both literacy and resilience is key to establishing a solid financial future. To many, financial literacy and financial resilience mean the same thing. In fact, financial literacy refers to knowledge, while resilience means you are more likely to be prepared for unexpected financial events. Wondering where to start? Here are some tips to help build a more financially sound future. Review Your Current Financial Situation Having a firm grasp on your current income and expenses can provide insight into adjusting your finances to reach your goals. Most households believe the day-to-day cost of living is a key short-term financial priority. While meeting your immediate needs is essential, so is planning for the future. Determining what money is coming in and what you owe each month tells you how much is left for discretionary spending and saving. Start Saving Now It’s never too early to start saving. Even a modest amount set aside every month will grow into a more meaningful account balance over time. A common rule of thumb is 20% of your overall income. You can stretch your income further by taking advantage of options like employer retirement savings programs that deduct funds before taxes, especially if the employer matches your contributions. Consult a Financial ProfessionalYou don’t have to be a financial whiz to create a smart plan for your future. Financial professionals can help design a strategy tailored to your specific needs. They specialize in helping individuals and families find financial confidence through life insurance, retirement and wealth-building strategies. You can take a financial literacy quiz to assess your financial resilience and measure your readiness to withstand economic challenges. Prepare for Unexpected Expenses Unexpected events can have catastrophic impacts on household finances. For example, leaving the workforce early due to illness could mean years of lost earning power, which could impact your short- and long-term priorities. Other examples, like unplanned home repairs or medical expenses, can also make a major dent in your financial plan. Creating an emergency fund, separate from a savings account, can help offset the impact of unexpected expenses. Safeguard Your FamilyLosing a family member can bring much more than heartbreak, especially if that person’s income factors heavily into the household budget. However, different types of life insurance are designed to help safeguard your finances and can accommodate different budgets and lifestyles. Term life insurance offers individual life insurance protection for a specified number of years. It’s usually less expensive than permanent insurance with the same face value. Permanent life insurance, including whole-life coverage, remains in effect until the policyholder’s death as long as premiums are paid. Most permanent life insurance policies also offer some type of savings component that builds cash value over the life of the policy. Learn more and test your literacy and financial resilience at WorldFinancialGroup.com.   Photo courtesy of iStock