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Getting financially fit

If you feel financially secure and can achieve your financial goals, then you may consider yourself financially healthy. People who are financially healthy tend to share several characteristics:

  1. They live within their means.
  2. They spend their money wisely.
  3. They are able to free up funds when required.
  4. They have money set aside for emergencies and unexpected costs.
  5. They avoid excessive borrowing and feel in control of money they owe.
  6. They can save for the future.
  7. They consider their insurance and protection needs.
  8. They can spot scams and know how to avoid fraud.

 

Even if you already practice many of these healthy habits, there’s always room to improve and you may even increase your financial health.

How financially capable are you?

Healthy Coping Struggling Unwell
  • I rarely feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I live within my means.
  • I feel confident to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I could handle a major unexpected expense without any hardship.
  • I am proactively planning for my future and retirement.
  • I find it easy to access reliable advice and support.
  • I can meet my day-to-day bills and expenses most of the time.
  • I occasionally feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I am able to save a little from time to time.
  • I’m able to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I could handle a major unexpected expense without any hardship.
  • I know where to find some reliable financial advice and support.
  • I find it hard to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I often have to borrow money to pay for needs, like food and utilities.
  • I often feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I don’t have a plan for my future or retirement.
  • I couldn’t handle a major unexpected expense, it would cause some hardship.
  • I find it hard to find reliable financial advice and support.
  • I always feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I would never talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I have credit card and other debt that I cannot manage.
  • I couldn’t handle a major unexpected expense, it would be a significant hardship.
  • I have no idea where to find reliable financial advice and support.

How financially capable are you?

Healthy
  • I rarely feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I live within my means.
  • I feel confident to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I could handle a major unexpected expense without any hardship.
  • I am proactively planning for my future and retirement.
  • I find it easy to access reliable advice and support.
Coping
  • I can meet my day-to-day bills and expenses most of the time.
  • I occasionally feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I am able to save a little from time to time.
  • I’m able to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I could handle a major unexpected expense without any hardship.
  • I know where to find some reliable financial advice and support.
Struggling
  • I find it hard to talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I often have to borrow money to pay for needs, like food and utilities.
  • I often feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I don’t have a plan for my future or retirement.
  • I couldn’t handle a major unexpected expense, it would cause some hardship.
  • I find it hard to find reliable financial advice and support.
Unwell
  • I always feel stressed when I think about my finances.
  • I would never talk openly with friends and loved ones if money becomes a concern.
  • I have credit card and other debt that I cannot manage.
  • I couldn’t handle a major unexpected expense, it would be a significant hardship.
  • I have no idea where to find reliable financial advice and support.

HSBC has partnered with Everfi to create a series of modules on a variety of topics, including Savings, Banking, Credit Cards & Interest Rates, Credit Scores, Financing Higher Education, Renting vs. Owning, Taxes and Insurance, Consumer Protection, and Investing, giving you the tools to better manage your financial future. We hope these interactive digital modules can support your choices.

Additionally, HSBC has created the YourMoneyCounts financial wellness program which is presented by HSBC staff to the community in a classroom setting. Participant workbooks covering Budgeting, Credit, and Identity Theft and a budgeting worksheet are found through the YourMoneyCount link above. This program was created in partnership with the national nonprofit Greenpath Financial Wellness,  and they provide free individualized support focused on your personal situation and financial wellness.

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3. Live within your means

 

4. Spend wisely

 

5. Free up funds

 

6. Build emergency savings

 

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