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Financial responsibility has become a buzzword of sorts. It gets tossed around a lot – ”you need to be more financially responsible!” – but what does it actually mean? Why is financial responsibility important? And how do you do it?
The thing about financial responsibility is that it looks different for everybody. There are a ton of factors that contribute to your personal financial responsibility, and even more resources out there to help you achieve that.
But you don’t need to go running to the nearest bookstore and drop hundreds on the latest financial understanding novel to learn basic financial literacy – seems kinda counterproductive if you’re trying to save, doesn’t it?
In this article, we’ll break down what financial responsibility is and different actions you can implement today that will help you become more responsible with your money at no extra charge.
Asking what financial responsibility is can get complicated. All over the Internet, you see people talking about how financial responsibility is creating an air-tight budget and sticking to it, or spending less than what you earn, or putting aside 20% of every pay check. And they’re technically not wrong – all of these things are part of it!
But the answers boil down to something even simpler – financial responsibility is being able to afford to take care of yourself and the people who may rely on you (think aging parents or kids).
Sounds simple, right?
Not always. A lot of Canadians struggle with financial responsibility. In fact, the average Canadian debt is $23,800, not including mortgages. This number is expected to rise due to COVID-19, and includes credit card balances, line of credit use, and unpaid loans.
Yikes.
Being financially responsible comes with numerous benefits that positively impact various aspects of your life:
1. Financial Stability: Responsible financial habits help you build a stable financial foundation. You're better equipped to handle unexpected expenses, emergencies, and fluctuations in income without major disruptions to your life.
2. Reduced Stress: Managing your money wisely reduces financial stress. You're less likely to worry about bills, debts, or meeting financial obligations when you have a solid financial plan in place.
3. Improved Relationships: Financial responsibility can positively impact relationships, especially with family or partners. It reduces conflicts over money matters and promotes better communication and cooperation in managing finances together.
4. Freedom and Choices: Responsible financial habits give you more freedom and choices. You have the flexibility to pursue opportunities, take calculated risks, or make decisions based on your financial situation rather than being limited by financial constraints.
5. Better Mental and Emotional Well-being: Being in control of your finances can contribute to better mental and emotional health. It reduces anxiety about money, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life.
6. Long-term Goals Achievement: Financial responsibility enables you to set and achieve long-term goals. Whether it's buying a home, saving for retirement, starting a business, or traveling, sound financial habits help you work toward these objectives.
7. Preparedness for the Future: Responsible financial planning involves saving and investing for the future. This preparation ensures you're ready for retirement and unforeseen circumstances, providing a safety net for you and your family.
8. Credit and Financial Opportunities: Good financial habits improve your credit score and financial reputation. This opens doors to better loan rates, access to credit, and various financial opportunities.
9. Positive Influence on Others: Being financially responsible sets a positive example for friends, family, and children. It encourages others to adopt similar habits and leads to a ripple effect of financial wellness.
10. Enhanced Peace of Mind: Overall, being financially responsible provides peace of mind. It offers a sense of security and control over your financial future, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life with confidence.
Cultivating financial responsibility takes time and effort, but the benefits it brings to your life are significant and far-reaching. Small steps towards better money management and living within your means can lead to substantial improvements in your overall well-being.
With such a large number as the average Canadian debt, it’s clear that financial responsibility is something that is easier said than done.
It’s important to take small steps you can tackle and slowly improve! If you make small lifestyle changes, you’re more likely to stick to them long term – and financial responsibility is as long term as it gets.
Here are some simple tips you can implement today to improve your financial habits.
Circumstances change as you go through different stages of life. Your financial needs as a student living at university are completely different than a parent of two!
But while you’re in one stage, it doesn’t hurt to keep looking forward! There’s a reason they say “when you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. If you’re not planning ahead financially, it’s harder to succeed.
So what does this look like on how to start being financially responsible? While you’re making financial decisions today, you need to consider what future you needs also.
For example, do you really need a brand new $1,500 phone or is yours still working fine? Could you put that money into an account where you’re saving for a new home instead?
Here are some examples of what to consider when planning ahead financially:
One of the core pillars of financial responsibility is having a budget and knowing where your money is going. This means creating a detailed plan for your income and expenses, and sticking to it as closely as possible. Another important aspect of being financially responsible is saving and investing wisely. Non medical life insurance can play a crucial role in this area by providing financial protection for you and your loved ones in the event of an unexpected illness or accident.
Getting a critical illness insurance Canada quote prior to purchasing a policy is also planning ahead financially as you're aware of what rates work best for you.
Nobody expects you to have financial responsibility mastered, no matter what age you are! It’s something people have to constantly learn, so make sure to ask questions about it.
How much of your paycheck should you save? What type of account should emergency savings go into? How much should you put into an RESP for your kids? These are all important questions to ask about finances – and the more you ask, the more you’ll know.
There are also a ton of resources available nowadays. Talk to loved ones who have faced similar financial questions, book a meeting with a financial consultant at a bank to walk through account options, or even a quick Google search!
Asking questions early – and not when you're already struggling through these stages – will help set you up for financial success as you reach each of these milestones.
Being financially responsible doesn’t mean no eating out, trips, or big purchases, it just means properly saving for these things so you can enjoy them – without a maxed out credit card!
Creating a budget will help you feel more in control of your finances while saving for those fun purchases. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some simple steps to create your own budget
Once you have this broken down, go forth and spend responsibly – no need to waste money!
Pro tip: There are a ton of amazing apps like Mint or EveryDollar that will make budgeting even easier! These apps can connect right with your bank account to give you a monthly report of your spending. You can also manage your budget right from your phone by inputting what you spend. It will show you a remaining balance for each budget item.
A budget is only as good as your ability to stick to it. When you know how to stick to a budget, you’ll have way more success.
But creating your budget is arguably the easier part of things. Your budget is your plan. Sticking to it is really taking action towards more financial responsibility.
But this can be hard, especially if you have spending habits you’re used to that you need to break. Here are some tips on how to stick to a budget:
Credit card use is a double edged sword. When used responsibly, they can be a wonderful financial tool.
If used recklessly, credit card debt can be crippling.
But for most, credit cards are the norm, so it’s important to be intentional about how you use them. Here are some tips for smart credit card use:
Just like fitness or learning a new skill, financial responsibility isn’t a one-and-done thing. It takes work and the more you practice it, the better you’ll get, and you'll start to see the benefits of being financially responsible! The first month of your budget may be rocky, but it gets easier.
So stick with it! Financial responsibility may be hard at first, but it’s always worth it. It is an essential part of building a strong foundation for your future. It involves making smart decisions about spending, saving, and investing to achieve long-term financial goals. One key aspect of financial responsibility is protecting your loved ones in the event of an unexpected loss of income. By investing in the best term insurance in Canada, you can ensure that your family is financially secure if something were to happen to you. Bundling your life insurance with your partners through a last to die insurance policy may also be a responsible thing to do. To ensure you're being financially responsible, it is important to find rates for term life insurance that fit your budget before buying life insurance in Canada. By comparing life insurance quotes, you can ensure that you're being financially responsible. Looking for seniors insurance Canada can be intimidating, but you can find the best rates through PolicyMe.
Using PolicyMe's life insurance rate calculator is a financially responsible decision as it helps find the best rates.
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