Financial health
What it is – and how to achieve it
Everyone knows what physical health is, but many people aren’t quite sure what makes up “financial health.” It refers to the state of a person’s financial affairs, including stable income, manageable debt, a strong credit score, sufficient savings (including an emergency fund), and appropriate insurance coverage. These are all common sense factors that contribute to present-day financial wellness, your ability to achieve future financial goals, and long-term financial confidence through retirement.
What are the indicators of financial health?
A doctor will look at measures like blood pressure or cholesterol as indicators of a person’s current physical health, and to gain insights about potential health issues that could arise later. Similarly, financial professionals look at indicators of a person’s financial health to get a clear snapshot of their current financial situation, and to gain insights into their financial future and ability to manage and grow wealth. Key indicators typically include:
Debt-Income Ratio
This measures the percentage of your income that goes towards paying debts, an indicator of your debt management skills. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you should consider having a debt-to-income ratio below 36% – and 43% is typically the highest a borrower can have and still get a qualified mortgage.
Credit Score
This is a numerical representation of a person’s creditworthiness, based on their credit history –timely debt repayment, and other factors. It affects the ability to borrow money and the terms of borrowing, including interest rates. Scores typically range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating better credit health.
Savings and Emergency Funds
The level of a person’s emergency fund is a crucial indicator of financial health and their ability to save money. It’s commonly recommended to have an emergency fund that covers three to six months' worth of living expenses – protection to handle financial surprises without resorting to high-interest debt.
Insurance Coverage
This is an often overlooked aspect of financial health. Adequate coverage, including health, life, disability, and property insurance, provides protection against unforeseen events that could otherwise harm your financial well-being. For example, without disability insurance, an illness or injury could lead to significant debt.
While these are common indicators to look at, achieving and improving financial health requires a balanced approach, combining prudent spending, effective debt management, regular savings, strategic investments, and foresighted planning. And since every person’s situation and goals are different, each path to achieving personal financial health is unique. But we can help you get there with information, resources, and tools to help support your journey toward financial well-being.
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