What is Financial Health?
Definition, Benefits and How to Measure & Improve It
When people talk about financial health, they’re usually referring to the state of their own personal finances. We all carry financial obligations, so when our income and assets are assessed against those obligations and other factors, the result is our overall ‘financial health.’
Financial health is more than a snapshot in time of your income and assets. It’s a combination of where you stand now and the steps you can take to improve your future financial position. Knowing your financial health helps put you in control of pursuing financial objectives.
Definition of Financial Health
Financial health is a measure of your ability to sustain a desired lifestyle while consistently meeting long- and short-term financial goals. When assessing a person’s overall financial health, it’s important to look at all aspects of their financial situation, including income, assets, credit and debt, budgeting, and risk management.
Income – Your current income is at the core of your financial health. This includes not just your salary but any other money you receive, such as bonuses, investments, child support, alimony, and retirement contributions.
Assets – Assets are all the valuable possessions an individual or company owns. Assets can include cash, investments, properties, retirement accounts, art, and jewelry.
Debt – Just like assets, debt can be either good or bad. On one hand, debt can be used to purchase goods and services that are too expensive to buy outright. On the other hand, debt can be detrimental to your financial health when there is too much debt, or debt with a high-interest rate.
Budgeting – Money management is one of the most important aspects in improving your financial health. Having a budget is a great way to make sure you are managing your money in a way that allows you to meet short- and long-term goals.
Risk Management – One of the most important components of financial health is having an understanding of various risks, such as inflation, investment risk, and uninsured losses. Risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating any potential risks.
Benefits of Good Financial Health
Good financial health can provide a sense of security and the ability to respond to unexpected financial situations. Some of the benefits of having good financial health include:
• Reduced stress – Having a handle on your financial situation can help to reduce stress, as it allows you to make informed decisions about your finances.
• Increased opportunities – When you are in control of your own finances, you can take advantage of investment opportunities or make other moves to further your financial goals.
• Improved credit score – A good credit score is an important requirement for certain loans and mortgages, and good financial health can help improve your credit score.
• Lower fees – The cost associated with making poor financial decisions can quickly add up. Having good financial health can help you avoid these costs.
• Financial freedom – When mentally and financially prepared, you can lead the life you want.
How to Measure Financial Health
There are a few key indicators that determine financial health:
• Net worth: Your net worth is the total assets you have, minus all of your liabilities.
• Savings rate: The amount of money you are able to save each month from your income is a reliable indicator of your financial health.
• Debt-to-income ratio: This simple ratio is calculated by dividing your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.
• Credit score: Your credit score is a measure of your ability to manage debt and pay your bills on time.
• Investment portfolio: How much of your wealth is invested in the stock market, bonds, ETFs and more, is a good way to measure your financial health.
How to Improve Your Financial Health
You can use the indicators listed above to measure your financial health, but the real key to improving your financial position is putting a plan in motion. Here are a few steps to help you get started:
• Start budgeting: Creating and sticking to a budget is one of the best ways to get a handle on your finances.
• Pay down your debt: Paying your debts faster will help free up more money for savings. If you have multiple debts, consider “snowballing” them, where you pay down the smallest debt first, then move on to the next biggest.
• Create an emergency fund: An emergency fund is a dedicated source of cash that can be used for unexpected expenses. It can help reduce stress and prevent you from relying on credit cards to cover unexpected costs.
• Automate savings: Automate a portion of your income to be set aside for savings and investments. This will make it easier to reach your financial goals and reduce the temptation to spend the money.
• Strengthen your credit score: A good credit score will make it easier to get approved for loans and credit cards. Make sure to track your credit score and make payments on time.
• Seek professional advice: Investing in your financial health with the help of a financial planner or adviser can be worthwhile.
Financial health is an important factor in overall wellbeing. When you know where you stand financially, you can make better informed decisions and have a stronger sense of control over your finances. Use the information and steps above to measure and improve your financial health.