Declare Your Financial Independence

In school, we learn the basics of geography, algebra, grammar, and social studies, but did you also have courses on how to open a bank account or buy a car? There’s probably a good chance your answer is ‘no.’

Fast forward to adulthood when so many of us are now learning finance simply by doing. There’s nothing wrong learning as you go, but the advent of online education has made acquiring new skills as simple as picking up your smartphone.

When it comes to achieving financial independence, having a solid foundation goes a long way, and you don’t have to spend a lot to learn a lot. Maybe someone in your household is signing up for their first checking account and could use a how-to checklist. Or you’re beginning the process of home purchase and need help navigating the long journey. Wherever your priority lies, be proactive in seeking the knowledge that can move you closer to your end goals.

You don’t have to travel far to find someone with a story of financial struggle—and it’s likely to be a story still in progress considering the current economic climate we’re in. So many of us are juggling credit card statements, auto payments, mortgages, and insurance. And that’s before anything goes wrong.

It’s important to create an emergency fund if you haven’t already (this can be as simple as automating a small percentage of your paycheck into a separate account), but there’s something else that can bring you peace of mind as well: knowing your burden is shared. Whether it’s the father who grappled with crippling law school debt or the woman who battled the costs of cancer, there can be solace in simply knowing that the endings are often better beginnings in disguise.