5 Ways to Celebrate National Financial Awareness Day

This Friday, August 14^th is a little-known holiday: National Financial Awareness Day. With all of the uncertainty and financial ups-and-downs this year has given us, it’s about time that we take a step back and reevaluate, reassess, and regroup.

Financial awareness means different things to different people. For some, it comes with the awareness and monitoring of a savings or nest-egg balance. For others, awareness is found in financial education and learning new savings habits. Whatever your view of financial awareness, we’ve compiled 5 ways to help you celebrate National Financial Awareness Day.

1.     Get Back to the Basics

Clear off your dining table and find your bank statements, credit card bills, utilities, and other expenses. If someone had asked you a year ago how much you wanted to have in your savings account by today, what would you have said? Did you make your goal? If not, it’s time to take a step back and take a second look at where your money is going. Budgets aren’t just a way to help educate youth on finances; they’re also helpful tools to getting your account back on track.

2.     Teach Yourself a New Trick or Two

Community Financial has made financial wellness a priority, so you can too! We’ve compiled a library of financial resourcesto educate you on everything from buying a new home, preparing for retirement, being a financial caregiver, and even just buffing up your financial foundations. Check out our Money Matter$ eLearning Center for quick and concise modules that you can complete in your own home or on the go with a tablet or smart phone.

3.     Protect Yourself and Your Funds

Another great way to celebrate National Financial Awareness Day is to make sure you and your finances are protected. Scammers and cyber-criminals are always looking for new ways to get hold of your information. As such, it’s imperative that you stay up-to-date with fraud prevention. Make sure you check your Credit Report annually to spot any usual activity early. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are even offering free weekly reports through April 2021 to cut down on COVID-19 fraud. Also, check out our guide on Identity Theft and make sure you know how to protect your identity and what to do in case it becomes compromised.

4.     Talk to the Experts

Each of our Financial Service Representatives (FSR) are Elite Financial Coaching certified and are ready to help you reach your financial wellness goals. Reach out to a branch FSR or call our Member Contact Center at (877) 937-2328 to discuss your financial situation and goals, as well as to construct a plan to reach them. GreenPath Financial Counseling is also available to our members, offering debt counseling, bankruptcy support, and more. 

5.     Take a Breath

No matter what you might have heard, financial wellness and stability doesn’t just get handed to you once you’re an adult. For the majority of people, it also doesn’t come easy. Financial wellness is something you have to work on constantly. But you’re doing great! Take a moment to take a deep breath and remember that working toward financial stability is half the battle. And you don’t have to fight this financial battle alone because Community Financial is here to help every step of the way. Bank on us to help make the journey easier.

Your Turn: How will you be celebrating this year’s National Financial Awareness Day? Tell us in the comments!