New Year’s resolutions generally revolve around health, weight loss or exercise. But what if you went outside the norm this year?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make yourself physically and mentally healthier. However, the value of financial health is often overlooked. But here’s the thing — financial stress can negatively affect your health, including being a contributing factor to chronic health problems, according to the American Psychological Association.
Focusing on your financial health can make a world of difference. Here are our top reasons to focus on your financial health when making New Year’s resolutions.
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1. Protect Loved Ones When You Pass Away
People are living longer than ever before. Harvard Medical School reports that life expectancy in the U.S. rose from 69.9 years to 78.9 years between 1959 and 2014. Still, you won’t live forever. Whether you live to a ripe, old age or you pass away unexpectedly, protecting your loved ones with life insurance can provide peace of mind for you and those you leave behind.
Even if you have savings, a life insurance policy can cover your final costs and provide financial support while your family grieves their loss.
Think about what would happen if you died tomorrow…
- What would your loved ones need?
- Do you have dependents or a spouse who depends on you financially?
- Are you the homemaker who does things around the house, such as childcare, cooking and cleaning?
- Will your spouse need to pay someone to help with those services if you were no longer here?
The right life insurance policy can protect your loved ones. If you’re unsure how much you need, use The Ultimate Life Insurance Calculator to get a quote. It’s more affordable than you might think.
2. Long-Term Care Is Expensive
Many older Americans wish to continue living in their homes and “age in place” rather than pay increasingly expensive costs for long-term care.
However, you may not have a choice. Getting older can come with a lot of surprises. Even if your plan was to age in place, life doesn’t always go the way you expect. Long-term care may be a reality, and it isn’t cheap.
You may have a specific facility in mind or want to avoid the places that take state aid. Either way, it requires you to examine your financial health and create a financial plan now to prepare for the potential future cost.
Don’t risk leaving the financial burden and the decision-making to your loved ones. Make a plan now to save and purchase the right insurance policies to cover the cost of long-term care to ensure you’re taken care of if life doesn’t go as planned.
3. The Pandemic Opens the Door to Uncertainty
The COVID-19 pandemic created a cascading effect of soaring unemployment rates and dwindling savings accounts. The deadly virus opened the door to uncertainty and put a spotlight on the financial instability of American households.
As we go into the new year, strengthen your financial health and put safeguards in place to protect your financial future.
Two areas that can make a significant difference are examining your savings rate and making sure you have enough life insurance. Whether you save $25 or $200 per week, building the habit of saving will set you up for success for years to come.
Review your life insurance needs and compare them to the policy you have to make sure you’re covered. And if you don’t have a policy in place, you can buy life insurance during a pandemic.
4. Preparing for your financial future makes you healthier
Focusing on physical health by eating right and exercising is important. But so is your mental health. Financial stress can lead to a decline in mental health. A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that individuals with depression and anxiety were three times more likely to be in debt.
If you’re anxious about the future, it is hard on your mind and body. But resolving to improve your finances can give you peace of mind.
What can you do? Consider purchasing a life insurance policy, creating a will, contributing to your retirement fund and saving for the future.
Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Matter
Losing ten pounds or exercising more are worthy goals for the new year. But don’t forget about your financial health.
Think about improvements you can make to your financial health. When you lower financial stress, it can improve your physical and mental health and make the next year your best one yet.
Life insurance can protect your loved ones if the unexpected happens. Get a free quote with The Ultimate Life Insurance Calculator today!
