Financial wellness means preparing your budget so you can embrace life's unexpected moments with an "I've got this" mindset. From surprise repairs and medical bills to any other unexpected events that hit you in your wallet, you can keep your financial goals on track by planning ahead. We're here with financial tools to help you make your plan and keep your money golden—no matter what plot twist life has in store.
Step 1: Know where you stand
Start by sitting down and taking an inventory of your finances. Sure, it might not sound like the most exciting way to spend an afternoon but getting a perspective on where your money goes is everything. List debts like credit cards and student loans alongside your income sources. Awareness is the first step to building a safety net. If expenses exceed income, look for ways to spend intentionally and trim where you can. Our Free Checking account—with no service fees and no minimum deposit—offers digital banking tools to track spending and stay on top of your finances.
Step 2: Build a flexible plan
A resilient budget requires more than just paying bills, it's about creating room to handle the unexpected. Trim unnecessary spending, even small things like daily coffee runs, and redirect that money toward savings or debt reduction. Tackling high-interest balances or using the snowball method—paying off the smallest debts first—helps you gain momentum and frees cash for emergencies.
Step 3: Set emergency goals
Saving money is the not-so-surprising key to being prepared. The standard rule of thumb is to set aside 6 months of living expenses. Don't panic if that sounds unattainable. Set any savings goal that feels manageable. Maybe make $500 or even $300 your first goal. Once that feels comfortable, double it. Let our collection of uniquely tailored savings accounts help you build healthy savings—even if you just want to set money aside for holiday shopping.
Step 4: Check in and refresh
Once established, your savings plan is like a living plant. Don't just pot it and walk away. Check in monthly to track growth and make any necessary adjustments. Maybe you'll increase your savings this month or pay down a bit more debt. Regular check-ins ensure your plan stays on track and your money keeps working for you.
Step 5: Stay the course
Financial resilience is a habit, not a one-time effort. Make maintenance as effortless as possible. Automate savings, monitor spending, and celebrate milestones along the way. The more consistent you are, the more confident you'll feel.
As for life, whether it's an unexpected addition to your family or a sudden need for a new car, our breadth of financial tools will keep you golden.
