In a world that often feels uncertain, being financially secure can give you peace of mind. It offers a sense of comfort and assurance that if unexpected events occur, you’ll be able to handle them.
For those of you juggling full-time employment, homeownership and perhaps the responsibilities of children or pets, pursuing financial stability can seem like a daunting challenge.
But fear not; we’re here to provide you with a clear roadmap to build financial security.

Defining Financial Security

Before going into practical tips, let’s first understand what financial security means.
Financial security means feeling confident and comfortable that you can cover your essential expenses, meet your financial goals, and weather unexpected financial storms. It means having a safety net that keeps you from being vulnerable to economic downturns or personal crises.

For you, financial security might mean achieving significant life milestones like homeownership, funding your children’s education, and preparing for retirement. It’s about ensuring that your family can lead a comfortable life even if you face unexpected hurdles.

Setting Clear Financial Goals

Achieving financial security starts with setting clear and attainable financial goals. These goals can include buying your first home, saving for your children’s education, or securing your retirement. When your goals are well-defined, it becomes easier to create a financial plan to achieve them.

To identify your specific financial goals, take some time to make them as detailed as possible. The more specific your goals are, the more attainable they become. You can classify your goals into long-term and short-term categories. For example, paying off your debt in the coming year might be a short-term goal, while saving for your kids’ tuition fees and your retirement might be long-term goals.

After identifying your long-term goals, break them down into short-term goals to make them more achievable. For instance, when saving for your child’s tuition fees, calculate the total amount of money you’ll need and then determine how much you should set aside each month to achieve that goal.

Once you have set your goals, check your progress regularly to ensure you stay on track with your finances. This will also provide you with the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments.

Budgeting & Saving

Now that you have your financial goals laid out, it’s time to create a budget to help you build financial security. A budget helps you track your income and expenses, allowing you to allocate funds for your goals while covering necessary costs. It also provides insights into areas where you can cut unnecessary spending.

To create a budget, start by listing your monthly income and expenses. Be thorough in your assessment and ensure you take everything into account, from mortgage payments to online subscriptions. Then, create a plan for how you’ll allocate your monthly earnings towards your expenses.

It will also help to split your expenses into three categories: needs, wants, and savings or debt repayments. Your needs will likely make up 50% of the pie and will include rent or mortgage payments, bills and groceries. Your wants are your subscriptions, holidays and shopping, which you can allocate about 30% of your income to.

Lastly, the remaining 20% can be allocated to your savings or debt repayments. This will vary for everyone, so it’s essential to assess your current situation and decide how you want to allocate your income. When you allocate money towards your savings, it’s also important to remember that having an emergency fund will be beneficial.

An emergency fund is money tucked away in case of any emergencies, like having to pay for a major car repair or your pet’s vet bills. Usually, it’s good to save about three to six months’ worth of your essential outgoings. But to give yourself an even greater financial buffer, you can increase your emergency fund.
Achieving an emergency fund may seem daunting at first, especially if you’re new to your savings journey, so you can start setting aside small chunks of money and slowly increasing the amount.

Smart Investment Choices

While saving is important, there are also other ways to build financial security. Investing a percentage of your income can help your money grow over time. There are various investment options, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and more. But, it’s important to acknowledge that all investments carry some level of risk.
Before making investment decisions, consider speaking to a professional financial advisor. They can help you build an investment portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Managing your Debts Wisely

When it comes to managing debt, it’s important to distinguish between ‘good debt’ and ‘bad debt’. Good debt, like a mortgage, is an investment in your future since you’re paying towards your property instead of someone else’s. However, bad debt could be outstanding credit card balances.
If you have credit card debts, the key rule is to pay them off in full each month. Going beyond your monthly payment often leads to substantial interest charges. For instance, as of August 2023, the average interest rate on credit cards in the UK stood at 24%. This means that for every £100 you borrow, you’d end up repaying £124 in total.

Responsible Debt Management Strategies

Here are some strategies to help you manage your debt responsibly and work towards greater financial security:

1. Check Your Interest Rates: Begin by examining the interest rates on your existing debts. This knowledge will guide your repayment strategy.
2. Prioritise High-Interest Debt: Focus on repaying the debt with the highest interest rate first. This approach, known as the ‘avalanche method’, minimises the amount you pay in interest over time. In contrast to the avalanche method, there’s also the ‘snowball method’, which prioritises paying off the smallest debt first. Once that’s cleared, you move on to the next smallest debt, and so on. Both methods aim to free you from the burden of high-interest debt.
3. Consider Debt Consolidation: If possible, consolidate your debts into a single, more affordable loan. This can make it easier to manage your debts and reduce your overall interest expenses.
4. Accelerate Repayment: Strive to pay off your debts and loans as quickly as your financial situation allows. The faster you clear your debts, the less interest you’ll incur.

Find Your Balance

While building financial security is essential, it’s equally important to strike a balance between saving for the future and enjoying life today. Occasional indulgences and experiences can add richness to your life and make the journey to financial security more rewarding. It’s all about finding the right equilibrium that works for you.

Financial security is a reachable goal, and it doesn’t have to be a source of fear or anxiety. By defining clear goals, budgeting, saving, making smart investments, and managing your debts, you can pave the way to a more secure financial future. Remember to be flexible and adaptable in your journey, and always seek professional guidance when needed.