Quick Answer: You’ll be surprised to learn how getting organized can improve your financial outlook. Follow these three simple steps to perform a financial health check in just 30 minutes. With the right structure and focus, you’ll gain control, reduce stress, and start moving toward your financial goals faster.

Feeling financially overwhelmed? A simple financial health check could be the reset you need. In just 30 minutes, you can better understand your financial picture, identify what’s working, and spot areas that need improvement. Here’s how to get started:

1. Organize Your Financial Space

Begin with the basics. Gather documents like bank statements, loan papers, and insurance policies. Store them in one secure location, either a physical file cabinet or a digital folder. Designate space for both physical and digital incoming bills and make it a habit to sort them daily or weekly. Whether you’re setting up folders in your email or using a tray at home, handling financial mail and statements the same way every time helps you avoid missed deadlines and misplaced documents.

2. Simplify and Automate Where You Can

The more accounts you manage, the more room for confusion. Simplify by consolidating checking, savings or retirement accounts when possible. Enroll in direct deposit to streamline income, splitting funds across checking, savings and retirement accounts with no manual transfers. Then, automate recurring payments for utilities, subscriptions and loan installments. This reduces your mental load and helps avoid costly late fees.

For CCCU checking account holders, use our Bill Pay to schedule and manage your payments all in one place.

3. Set and Track Financial Goals

A financial health check is incomplete without evaluating your goals. Track daily spending with a spreadsheet or budgeting app to see where your money goes. Set specific goals such as saving for a trip, building an emergency fund or paying off debt and building a budget around them. Once you reach a goal, don’t stop. Keep the momentum by setting your next goal. Consistent goal setting gives your finances purpose and direction.

Conclusion

Whether your finances are slightly disorganized or feel completely out of control, a quick financial health check can bring clarity and peace of mind. Explore the free financial tools and resources available at CCCU. Visit www.ccculv.org to learn how our products and services can help you take control of your future starting today.