Shakeira Tennort

While spending is inevitable and splurging can be tempting, aligning your expenses with your income can help foster financial responsibility, stability, and peace of mind. Here, Shakeira Tennort, a Chase Community Manager in Charlotte, shares some practical tips to help you balance spending, while enhancing your financial health:

1. Understand Your Financial Landscape

Take a close look at your income, expenses, and any outstanding debts. Create a simple budget that outlines what comes in each month, as well as what goes out. This will help you identify areas that could use adjusting and allocate more towards savings or debt repayment. The goal is to ensure your spending aligns with your income, preventing unnecessary financial stress.

2. Prioritize Needs Over Wants

It’s important to distinguish between needs and wants. Needs are essential expenses like housing, utilities, and groceries, while wants are non-essential items like dining out or luxury purchases. By prioritizing needs, you can allocate your resources more effectively and help avoid overspending.

3. Embrace Mindful Spending

Be intentional with your purchases. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it aligns with your financial goals and if it's truly necessary. This practice can help you avoid impulse buys and keep your spending in check.

4. Utilize Financial Tools and Resources

There are numerous tools and resources available to help you manage your finances effectively. Budgeting apps, financial planning software, and online calculators can provide valuable insights into your spending habits and help you stay on track. Look for budgeting tools and educational materials to help you create a budgeting plan.

5. Plan for the Unexpected

Life is full of surprises, and having a financial cushion can make all the difference. It’s recommended to save three to six months' worth of living expenses in a separate account. This fund will help provide a safety net in case of unexpected events, such as medical emergencies or job loss, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on long-term financial goals. Consider setting up automatic transfers to your savings account to ensure you're consistently setting aside money for future needs.

By identifying a budget that works for your lifestyle, you can create a solid foundation for financial health and work towards achieving your future financial goals.

For more financial health tips, visit chase.com/financialgoals.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described on this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

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