4 Ways to Put Yourself First, Financially

By Fidelity’s Women Talk Money

Life’s busy—we get it. Between work, relationships, and everything else on your plate, it’s easy for your finances to take a back seat.

But financial self-care can be a way to invest in yourself, and you’re always worth blocking off a little time on your calendar for.

That’s why Fidelity’s Women Talk Money put together 4 simple steps that can help you refresh your money mindset and feel more confident in your next financial move.

Step 1: Check in on your accounts

First, take a step back and do a general inventory of all your accounts.

Are each of your accounts serving a purpose and helping you reach your goals?
Do you have an old retirement account you may have forgotten about?
Did you switch banks and maybe have a small balance sitting somewhere?
Do you have an emergency fund in place?

As you review, consider whether it might make sense to consolidate accounts to help give you a complete view of your finances and streamline your saving and spending.

Another tip: automating contributions can be a way to “pay yourself first” and help you save more consistently.

Whatever your situation, a little cleanup can go a long way.

Step 2: Set clear money goals

Knowing your destination can help you map the best path to get there. Your money goals should be unique to you. Maybe it’s paying off credit card debt, buying a house, taking that bucket-list trip, or retiring.

Here are a few tips to help you set and achieve your goals:

Aim to make your goals specific, measurable, and achievable.
Start with 2 or 3. You can always add more later.
Hold yourself accountable and check in. Maybe enlist a trusted loved one or family member to help keep you on track.
Ask for help if you need it.
Stay flexible! Life happens, and that’s OK. You can adjust your goals and timelines accordingly.

When setting goals, challenge yourself to make a list of things you’ve accomplished and reframe your thinking to be a balance between what’s going well and what you could improve on.

Step 3: Optimize your investment accounts

Investing may look a little different for everyone depending on where you are in your life.

But whether you’ve just gotten started or you’re approaching retirement, it’s worth asking yourself these 4 questions about your investments:

Do your accounts still feel right for your goals?
Are your investments diversified?
Are you comfortable with your risk level?
Do you feel confident that your money is working as hard as it can be?
Does DIY management work for you? Or might you benefit from professional help?

You do a lot, but you don’t have to do it all on your own. We can help! At Fidelity, there are a number of ways to work together to help create an investment strategy and build a plan for your future.

Step 4: Join the Women Talk Money community!

You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. Women Talk Money is a community for real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers, connecting you to the help you need when and how it works best for you. Sign up to subscribe to our newsletter and stay in the know about our latest events.

And come stop by our booth if you’re in Austin or Boston for the upcoming Conference for Women events! Say hi, introduce yourself, and learn more ways to help your money work as hard as you do.”

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.

This information is intended to be educational and is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific investor.

Conferences for Women and Fidelity Investments are independent entities and are not legally affiliated.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917

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