The current climate is destabilizing for everyone and difficult for many. Whether you’re dealing with financial uncertainty due to loss of income or, on the contrary, an unexpected increase in income, there are many good reasons to take a closer look at your personal finances. Where should you start? Ideally, you want to make sure you’re well organized. This may seem obvious but all too often, we don’t take the time to be disciplined about our finances. The first step is to look at the short-term situation (your immediate needs) to make sure you can keep up with daily expenses, then look at your medium- and long-term situation from there.

Humans are known for their ability to recover in times of crisis. Here are a few ways to build your financial resilience.

Tip #1 – Take stock of your finances

Start by creating a budget.

This first step allows you to get an overall view of your finances and figure out the gap between your income and expenses. Has the pandemic affected your employment status, shifted your priorities or impacted your expenses? Maybe you’ve taken advantage of relief measures offered by your financial institution or government? Budget planning will give you a clear picture of your new reality, i.e. your temporary vs. permanent income and expenses.

Then, make an assessment.

Now that you have a better idea of your assets and debts, it’s time to think about your objectives— whether it’s retiring, buying a new property, renovating your home or any project in between. What sets Laurentian Bank apart from other financial institutions is our financial health assessment. Complete your assessment with an advisor to prioritize your goals and implement the right strategies to achieve them. This will give you a true picture of your financial situation so you can see what’s working for you and what’s not. But most importantly, it will allow you to put your finances in order—a step that makes all the difference! And because life is continually changing, we recommend that you update your financial health assessment as soon as a major event occurs in your life (like changing jobs, moving house, getting married, having a new baby, retiring, etc.). That way, your financial strategies will evolve with you.

Tip #2 – Build an emergency fund

Whether you’ve mastered the art of saving or you’re just starting out, a financial cushion will help you deal with the unexpected when it happens. The rule of thumb here is to maintain a reserve of 3 to 6 months’ salary¹ (net revenue). Adopt a periodic savings habit to ensure your peace of mind. That way, you can automatically put away a set sum of money on a regular basis, without depriving yourself too much. And then you can build on your financial cushion at your own pace.

Tip #3 – Maintain a low debt ratio as much as possible

The debt ratio refers to the amount of debt that you hold, compared with your income. It helps to determine whether or not you’re able to meet your financial obligations, and therefore serves as a key indicator of your financial wellbeing. Do the math. If your debt ratio is more than 30-35%, your debt ratio is high and you’ll need to get your finances in order. Where should you start? First, focus on paying off your high-interest debts, such as credit cards, and then work on paying off your lower-interest debts, such as car loans and mortgages. From there, if you have a well-stocked emergency fund, you can think about making additional loan payments.

Tip #4 – Improve your financial knowledge

Whether it’s learning about savings, debt, financial products or retirement planning, boosting your financial literacy will allow you to make more informed decisions. Even though you can turn to friends and family for advice, we still recommend that you call on qualified experts. A great way to improve your financial knowledge is to talk to an expert (a.k.a. your advisor) and ask questions. You can also consult different publications or subscribe to newsletters, like the LBC Newsletter, which cover a wide range of financial topics.

Tip #5 – Call a Laurentian Bank advisor

It’s tricky to try to improve your financial health on your own. That’s why it’s important to get support you can count on. A good way to boost your financial resilience is to talk to one of Laurentian Bank’s 400 advisors. They’re there to help you improve or rethink your financial situation and provide expert advice to help you maintain your financial health. Supported by an advisory team, they will listen to your needs and help you better understand your financial situation from the very first meeting. Whether you’re looking to create a budget, complete a financial health assessment or re-evaluate your debt so you can build up your savings, don’t hesitate to call on them for personalized advice so you can take control of your personal finances!