The dreaded financial talk. But what if it didn’t have to be?
November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada, a time for individuals to assess their current financial position and make improvements for a brighter financial future.
Financial literacy is, according to Investopedia, “the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.” How you accumulate that knowledge is up to you. If you wish to further your financial knowledge, consider resources such as traditional education courses, reading books, listening to podcasts, subscribing to financial content, or working with a financial advisor or other professional you trust.
In today’s economic landscape, finances can be a touchy subject. Food inflation and the housing market are only two ways Canadians feel a pinch in their pockets. A recent financial literacy test from the Canadian Bankers Association conducted by Abacus Data reveals Canadians struggle with a basic understanding of financial concepts. Of the respondents, just over two in three who participated in the study could answer most of the questions correctly, and 15% answered one or less correctly.
So, how can you increase your financial literacy? Below are tips to guide you in thinking about various financial goals, managing daily expenses, and planning for your future.
What are your financial goals? Maybe it is owning a second property, getting married, living abroad, or saving for early retirement. Whatever your dreams, setting goals to strive for when managing and planning your financial future goes a long way.
If you’re new to financial goal setting, set short-term financial goals. Doing so will give you a foundation you can build on, such as building an emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt, or creating a budget and sticking with it. Setting short-term goals will help give you the confidence to achieve larger, overarching goals that take more time.
When you’ve set your goals, write them down and with someone you trust: such as family, a close friend or your financial advisor. Individuals are more likely to achieve these goals if they are held accountable.
Additionally, determine the hierarchy of your goals, especially if you share finances with a spouse, partner, or family member. It is crucial to ensure your goals are aligned in order of importance so you can determine where your joint priorities lie and how you will work towards them.
Once you’ve set your financial goals, it is time to build a monthly budget to help you reach them. To start, track the amount of income you receive on a monthly basis against how much you spend. By closely monitoring your spending patterns, you can identify if your budget is accurate or if there are expenses or income you did not account for.
Additionally, routinely monitoring your spending habits can help you identify fraudulent transactions, such as unverified charges. You can manually track your budget using a spreadsheet or on paper; however, apps, including some banking apps, make digitally tracking your budget easy.
Your budget should include items under four main sections:
Income (including but not limited to):
Fixed expenses (including but not limited to):
Discretionary expenses (including but not limited to):
Savings (including but not limited to):
A monthly budget can help you manage debt by reducing spending in non-essential areas. If you have accumulated debt, consider developing a debt payment plan with a trusted advisor who can guide you in the best strategies to reduce your amount owed. These strategies may include reducing discretionary spending, prioritizing high-interest loan repayment, or consolidating debts. If debt is excessive and unmanageable, consider contacting lenders to renegotiate your repayment plan.
Where do you want to be in 10 years? Whatever your goals, creating a plan to invest in your future financial health will help set you up for success. There are several strategies you can take advantage of to benefit you, including but not limited to:
Knowing your credit score and how it impacts your financial health is vital for any financial plan. In short, a credit score is an evaluation of your credit habits and often includes several factors, such as:
A financial plan is a great start, but you should regularly reflect on your goals and progress. Establish checkpoints to review your actions and ask yourself, “Am I on track to meet my goals?” By pausing to review your financial plan and progress, you can more easily stay on track and adjust your strategy to maximize results.
Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty with your finances, consider seeking professional advice from a financial advisor and other trusted professionals, such as insurance brokers and debt counsellors. These professionals can assist you in developing a plan to reach your financial goals, mitigate risk, and manage debt along the way. By connecting with a professional, they can provide you with personalized advice based on your unique financial goals.
Sources:
Canadian Bankers Association
Government of Canada
Credit Counselling Society
Investopedia
We provide the tools and guidance needed to safeguard your success.
Explore our collection of informative tips and expert guidance.
