As the calendar turns and a new year begins, many of us set resolutions focused on health, happiness, and personal growth. This year, consider adding financial fitness to your list. According to the Pew Research Center, 40% of adults describe their current financial situation as fair, 17% as poor, and 28% expect their financial situation to worsen. Consequently, it is important to focus on developing a plan to keep your finances in check. Just like physical wellness, financial wellness is built through consistent habits, informed decisions, and the right support system. At KCCU, we believe a financially fit life helps you focus on what matters most.
What is Financial Fitness?
Financial fitness means having the knowledge, habits, and confidence to manage your money effectively. It’s about living within your means, preparing for the unexpected, and planning for your future—without constant stress. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your financial strategy, small steps can lead to big improvements.
Start with a Financial Check-Up
A new year is the perfect time to assess where you stand. Review your income, expenses, savings, and debt. Creating or updating a budget helps you see exactly where your money is going and where adjustments can be made. In return, you’ll start to feel much more in control of your finances. In the words of Dave Ramsey, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Think of it as your financial baseline for the year ahead.
Set Realistic, Achievable Goals
Instead of vague resolutions like “save more money,” aim for specific, measurable goals:
- Build or strengthen your emergency fund
- Pay down high-interest debt
- Save for a vacation, home, or major purchase
- Increase retirement or long-term savings
Clear goals keep you motivated and make progress easier to track.
Build Strong Financial Habits
Consistency is key to financial fitness. Automate savings, pay bills on time, and review your accounts regularly. Even small, regular contributions to savings can add up overtime. Developing these habits now can set you up for long-term success.
Use KCCU Tools and Resources
At KCCU, we’re here to support your financial journey. From savings accounts designed to help you grow your money to loans with competitive rates and personalized guidance, our team is committed to helping you make confident financial decisions. Along with our services designed to improve financial fitness, we offer a wide array of tools to help you become more knowledgeable and shape the steps you want to take next:
Financial Management & Learning Tools: KCCU partners with Zogo Finance, a gamified financial education platform that teaches money skills in bite-sized lessons. Members earn rewards like gift cards as they complete modules on topics from budgeting and saving to credit and retirement. This makes learning about money fun and rewarding.
There’s also Zogo Classroom, a platform tailored for educators to teach financial literacy to students — helping cultivate strong money habits early.
Calculators and Planning Tools: KCCU offers online financial calculators such as mortgage calculators, auto loan payment calculators, budget calculators, saving calculators, and more, that help members project outcomes and make informed decisions — for example:
- How much you’ll pay monthly on a loan
- How long it will take to pay off debt
- What your savings could grow to over time
- Mortgage and payment comparisons
These tools can help you map a path to your financial goals and better understand the impact of your choices.
Digital Banking: It’sMe247 Online Banking allows members to check balances, transfer funds, view statements, apply for loans, schedule automatic transfers, set up alerts, and much more — all from home or on the go.
The KCCU Mobile App puts full banking control in the palm of your hand. You can view account details, make mobile deposits, pay bills, transfer funds, apply for loans, and even control your debit/credit card settings.
These tools help members stay on top of their finances daily — a key part of financial fitness.
Credit Score Insights: Through SavvyMoney, KCCU members can access credit score information and educational resources to understand and monitor their credit — an important part of financial health.
Practical Support Tools: KCCU also provides forms and resources to help members efficiently manage their accounts and services — such as setting up direct deposit or automatic payments or loan payment instructions — so that transactional tasks don’t become barriers to staying financially organized.
Why This Matters for Your New Year’s Resolution
Financial fitness is more than saving; it’s about learning how to make smart financial decisions, tracking progress, and having the tools to act confidently toward your goals. KCCU’s suite of digital banking tools, educational platforms, calculators, and credit-building resources help you take control of your money and build habits that stick.
Make This the Year You Feel Financially Strong
Financial fitness isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. This New Year, take control of your finances, one step at a time. With the right mindset and a trusted partner like KCCU by your side, you can make this your most financially fit year yet.
Ready to get started? Visit KCCU or connect with our team to learn how we can help you turn your financial goals into reality.
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