Balancing your budget can be a struggle. Are you paying too much for your mortgage and too little on healthy food? How are you supposed to save for the future and enjoy life now?

The 50/20/30 rule — spend 50 percent of your income on needs, 20 percent on savings and debt, and 30 percent on wants — is a simple way to think about using a basic budget to get a handle on your finances.

Retirement is something that most people think about, regardless of their age. Whether it’s to obsess over their savings or plan what to do during their golden years, many people spend a great deal of time thinking ahead. Most company pensions are a thing of the past, and some younger folks express skepticism that retirement benefits provided by the Social Security Administration will be sufficient (or available at all) by the time they retire. For those looking to get a head start on retirement planning, financial wellness programs can provide many valuable tools, information, and insights.

For those who are just starting to get serious about their money, delving into personal finance education is a critical endeavor. Not everyone is exposed to finance-focused lessons in school. Many of us are expected to jump right into adulthood with very little formal education on things like loans, investing, and credit. If you are just starting your personal finance education journey, consider learning more about these three topics.

Spending habits can be deeply ingrained and hard to break — they’re called habits because they’re regular behaviors you might not consciously think about.

While the stock market tends to dominate news cycles surrounding any current large-scale event, too many average Americans are uneducated when it comes to investing. When many people see reports of record market highs and losses, massive government bailouts, and changing legislation regarding interest rates and taxes, they do not have the educational background or investing experience to translate these headlines into meaningful analyses and applications for their daily lives. Investing education is critical for all Americans, particularly in times of economic turmoil. Consider these benefits of investing education before diving into financial commitments.

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or approaching retirement, organizing your finances and knowing exactly what you need to do to prepare for the future can feel daunting.

Becoming financially stable is a process that takes hard work and persistence; nobody goes from drowning in debt to the picture of financial health overnight. Like the formation of any other good habit, it takes daily commitment and continual learning to master finances. While individuals may have a variety of unique goals, there are a few strategies that almost anyone can use to improve their financial health. Master finances by making your financial health a priority and incorporating these four habits into your daily routine. 

Surveys indicate that many Americans lack basic financial literacy. Yet, simple money-management skills can help prevent a person from getting themselves into financial trouble and help them lead a better life in general. This article covers a few basic money-management concepts. Insurance and financial services professionals, such as a NAIFA members, can give you much more information and help develop strategies to boost financial literacy and get your money management on the right track.

Establishing An Emergency Fund 

The very first thing that anyone should do if they want to insulate themselves from potential financial harm is create an emergency fund. The amount to set aside for emergencies varies based on individual circumstances, but most experts recommend between $500 and $1,000 to get started. For many, that is enough money to help allay an unexpected expense. No matter who you are, a vehicle can break down, an unexpected medical expense can arise, or any number of other unexpected expenses may come about and cause problems for someone who does not have the shelter of an emergency fund. As your finances grow more complex, a larger emergency fund may be appropriate. 

For those who are just starting to get serious about their money, delving into personal finance education is a critical endeavor. Not everyone is exposed to finance-focused lessons in school. Many of us are expected to jump right into adulthood with very little formal education on things like loans, investing, and credit. If you are just starting your personal finance education journey, consider learning more about these three topics.

More and more baby boomers are becoming familiar with long-term care as they help take care of aging parents. However, there continues to be a lack of understanding about how much long-term care costs and who pays for it. Here are the facts - with an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and reduced government money for financial aid, it will be an issue that impacts everyone. Take a look at these four myths of care: