Financial Fitness_square

Be Financially Fit

11/01/2023 Written by: Kristine Simmons

To be financially fit, shift your money mindset and set goals for yourself and your family. Manage and prioritize your spending and create sustainable habits to last your lifetime and pass those along to future generations.

The basic components of financial fitness

  1. Spend – to spend wisely, you should have a budget. A budget can help you improve your spending habits.
  2. Save – life can make saving difficult at times. In general, try to aim to save a minimum of 10% of your monthly income. If that is not feasible with where you’re at in life right now, save what you can.
  3. Borrow – try to keep your debt less than 15% of your income (excluding mortgage). If you’ve got credit card debt, pay it down as soon as you can.
  4. Plan – Ask yourself where you see yourself financially in five years and where you’d like to be? Planning helps you create a healthy financial future. 

To improve your financial fitness, play your bills on time and in full if you can. Set realistic payment amounts and timeframes for paying off debt. Save for the unexpected and for your long-term goals. Be sure to allocate a portion of your monthly budget to fun and entertainment – it’ll help you stay on track!

To be financially fit, balance your income and expenses, stay out of debt, save for the future, and understand your emotions as they pertain to money. We always seem to make New Year’s resolutions about our health and fitness. This coming year, make financial health a priority as well.

We can help you stay financially fit. Contact us at APAdvisors.com or at 866.515.2742.

reduce conflict grid
How to Reduce Conflict When Talking about Money with Your Partner
Financial Wellness04/29/2026

It's no secret that the topic of money can cause serious disagreements among partners and spouses. One widely cited survey found that finances are a major source of conflict for nearly a third of all...

money cant buy grid
Money Can’t be the Means to Happiness
Financial Wellness04/15/2026

We've all heard the saying, "Money can't buy you happiness." And yet, if you've had a big bill come due, or you'd like to take some friends out for a nice dinner, having enough money to do these...

liquidity grid
Liquidity has a Value of its Own
Financial Wellness03/25/2026

What's worth more, a violin with an appraised value of $10,000, or $9,000 in cash? It seems obvious. $10,000 is greater than $9,000 so clearly the violin is more valuable. However, if you need...