Better Peace of Mind in Six Steps

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Six Ways to Increase Your Financial “Pillow Factor” | Michael Kay

4. Knowing your numbers. While dealing with budgets and financial issues might put you to sleep, nothing adds to greater restfulness than having at least a decent working knowledge of what’s coming in, what’s going out and how you’re moving towards your big goals ...

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It's a fallacy to think that you achieve absolute security and complete peace of mind, especially with your finances. You can prepare and save huge sums of money only to find out it was enough to cover situation X, but situation Y, the one you hadn't considered, not even close. If the pandemic taught us anything, it's that no industry, business, or our economy is immune from significant disruption given the right circumstances. 

That said, there are steps we can take to better address the inherent risk we face in and our lives and especially with our finances,  The below list comes from an article by Michael Kay and while I've used these points when providing professional advice, the way they're stated here is unlike how they're normally presented by an accountant or financial planner. I especially appreciate items #2, #4.and #6 as they don't require a degree in accounting or finance to see their importance.

1. Having a suitable cushion of liquid savings for emergencies and unanticipated life events, such as job loss, significant cost for a home or car repair, uncovered medical expenses or the ability to help someone in your family who suffers an unexpected loss.
2. Having your big risks covered. Nothing is more destabilizing to a family than the sudden death or disability of a significant earner. Where and how will the income be replaced when it is suddenly removed from the family’s cash flow?
3. Keeping your debt in check. Nothing spells insecurity more than facing revolving credit card bills month and after month and never seeing an end in sight.
4. Knowing your numbers. While dealing with budgets and financial issues might put you to sleep, nothing adds to greater restfulness than having at least a decent working knowledge of what’s coming in, what’s going out and how you’re moving towards your big goals; think retirement security, college for the kids or other meaningful pursuits.
5. Putting your estate in order. Whether you have big bucks or just getting started, there are really good reasons for having a Will, Powers of Attorney and an Advanced Healthcare Directive. Put a big exclamation point on it if you have children. Making sure you’ve addressed issues like Guardians and Trustees, while it might never be necessary, reaches the highest magnitude of importance if it comes to that.
6. Being able to talk to your spouse/partner/significant other about money. Let’s face it, we grow up with different understanding and experiences concerning money. Some face poverty and others are raised in wealth; some see flagrant spending, while others see penny-pinching as normal. We all grow into adulthood with a different set of money messages. Having a money conversation that doesn’t cause arguments, discomfort, accusations or frustration is an art, not a science. It requires the willingness and ability to listen and understand another’s point of view without judgement. Once you master the ability to talk about goals, fears, spending, savings and other related money conversations, life becomes easier.

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