Evaluate Your Financial Fitness

1. I have enough money each month to pay my rent or mortgage payment and other household expenses.

2. I have enough money to pay for an emergency like a large car repair.

3. I have written financial goals with a date and dollar cost (e.g. $10,000 for a car in 2012).

4. I have a written plan for spending and saving my money.

5. I save regularly for long term goals such as a house, my children’s education and retirement.

6. I have a least three months expenses set aside in a readily accessible account.

7. I have a personal investment account intended to provide me with a retirement income outside of my employer’s pension plan or government pensions.

8. I have adequate insurance to cover big unexpected expenses, such as a hospital bill, disability, or liability for damages to others.

9. Less than 20% of my monthly take home pay goes to my credit cards, loans, and car payments.

10. I pay credit card bills in full to avoid interest charges.