Financial Fitness Tips

Here are some financial tips from Solid Ground’s Financial Fitness Boot Camp. We will be sending out financial fitness tips like this a couple times a month from now on.

Spring is almost here, and it’s a good time to get a checkup regarding your financial fitness.

Ask yourself a few questions:

• Are you experiencing anxiety around your bills and payments from the holidays?

• Are you preparing your taxes or at least thinking about it? (April 15th is just around the corner!)

• Are you tracking your spending using a budget or spending plan?

• How much are you saving each month for emergencies?

Well, the above sounds like a lot to do and can be stressful. From the questions above, make a list, or what we refer to as a “Financial Fitness Action Plan”. Prioritize what is most important to you and write a statement explaining why it is important to you.  Next, decide what your action steps will be to meet that objective.  Who will you contact for information or clarification? Make sure you have a pen and paper when calling so you can write down who you spoke to and what you spoke about.

It’s close to tax time. Don’t fret- there are many sites that can prepare your taxes for free. Get all of your documents together so that your time and the preparer’s time will be well spent. To find a free tax preparation site near you, call 2-1-1 and tell the operator that you want information about free tax preparation services. Or text the word TAX and your 5-digit zip code to 313131 or e-mail EITC@uwkc.org or visit uwkc.org/taxhelp.

You might say that you don’t have enough money to save.  Well, start with $5 - the point is “just do it!”

We would also like to remind you about Financial Resource Day, this Saturday 3/22 from 10-3 at Rainier Community Center at 4600 38th Ave. S in Seattle, where you can get help with managing your finances, preparing taxes, searching for a job, signing up for public benefits and more.

We would like to invite you all to call the Financial Fitness Boot Camp at either (206) 694-6739 or (206) 694-6776 and make an appointment to come and see one of Solid Ground’s financial counselors.  They can pull your credit report for free; teach you how to develop a budget/spending plan; and teach you how to read your credit report and what to do if you need to dispute an item.  They would be happy to assist you with whatever you want to focus on to help you reach your financial fitness goals! Don’t delay, call today!