Home
>
Personal Finance
>
Financial Fitness - Are You Exercising the Right Muscles to become Financially Fit?

Financial Fitness - Are You Exercising the Right Muscles to become Financially Fit?

Are your financial muscles well toned and healthy or flabby and weak? Do you want to change your relationship with money so you can have control over your financial future or do you want to continue to complain that you don't have enough? Exercise these 10 muscles to achieve Financial Fitness.

1. Know your current situation

Putting your head in the sand will only give you an ache in the neck, not control over your finances. Make sure you know exactly how much your total income and expenditure is each month and have a clear picture of what you are spending your money on.

2. Have clear financial goals

How much will you need for next year's vacation? When will you need to buy a new car? How much will it cost to give your children the best education? Write down your short, medium and long term goals and work out how much each will cost, how long you have to save for it and how much you will have to put aside each month in order to get what you want.

3. Maximise your current situation

Do you pay your bills late and suffer charges? Set up a system to pay all your bills on time. Are you paying high interest rates on your credit cards and loans? Take control by shopping around for a better deal. Do you have no idea where the money in your wallet goes? Set up a weekly spending plan to make sure your money goes towards what is important to you.

4. Plug the leaks in your financial bucket

Where are the holes that your money is falling through? By having a clear understanding of what caused your debt in the first place and by not adding to it you can make any adjustments you need to enable you to become debt free. Review your debt situation every 2 months and take full responsibility for the situation you are in today and will experience in the future.

5. Plan for your future

Do you know that you are putting away enough money for your future financial health or are you hoping it will all work out? Find out the current state of your retirement fund and make sure you are putting aside enough money each month to reach financial independence. Review your long-term planning annually to make sure you are on track for where you want to be.

6. Become financially robust

Are there tax returns and financial situations you are ignoring because they are too daunting? The longer you leave them, the more daunting they will become. Don't let small issues become huge icebergs in your life. Clear up your issues one at a time, become aware of financial trends and issues and live within your means.

7. Expect the unexpected

No matter how much you plan, life happens. How much leeway do you have to cope with the unexpected? Aim to have six months living expenses in an interest bearing account, make sure you have all the medical, car and home insurances you need and act quickly to changing circumstances. We know the unexpected will happen - plan for it and you won't have to panic when it happens.

8. Review your financial energy

Understand the concept of the flow of money and how you act around money. Is your relationship with money a childish one that makes you stressed, envious and obsessed with money? Establish an adult relationship with money that allows you to be appropriately generous, understand abundance and to share in the success of others.

9. Check your beliefs

What beliefs were you given by your parents. Are wealthy people mean or 'not like us'. Do you believe that friends and family will no longer like you if you are wealthy or that it's shallow to care about money? What beliefs would you like to pass on to your children? Write them down and start repeating them to yourself every day until you replace your old thoughts with new, helpful and empowering ones.

10. Create the right financial environment

If you go to the gym you expect a certain environment that is conducive to working out. Why does your financial situation not deserve the same attention to its environment? Could you work out effectively if the gym was cluttered, decorated in chintz and was full of everyone sitting around eating chocolate? So why do you expect your financial situation to overcome environmental barriers such as being around people who don't support your commitment to financial fitness, banks that are not easily accessible and going out to places where you know you will overspend? Tidy up your environment and give yourself a fighting chance.

Visit atlantic coaching for your 100-point checklist to becoming financially fit.

Sarah Steele MBA, founder of, works globally with high-achieving professionals who, although successful in their career, aren't as successful as they'd like in other areas of their life. Specializing in helping clients get crystal clear about exactly how they want their life to look, something many struggle with, our clients learn how to say 'no' graciously, freeing up precious time and space for the things they really want to say yes to. Ultimately, it is through more conscious choices and effective systems that clients quickly enjoy greater control and experience more success without sacrificing professional achievements. Sarah is a successful and empowering coach, speaker and trainer with more than a decade of global business experience. Combining deep capabilities in communication skills, change management, and emotional intelligence with her background in Corporate life, Sarah brings a truly globally savvy touch to all.

efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..

In The News:

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.

Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.

Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.

Apple's iOS 26.1 update delivers major security fixes, performance boosts and enhanced privacy controls for your iPhone. Discover why updating now protects your data.

Financial Fitness - Are You Exercising the Right Muscles to become Financially Fit?

Personal Finance