When it comes to financial goals, everyone is different. You might be saving for your first apartment or house, paying down debt or simply looking for ways to stretch your income and budget further. Whatever your goals, understanding where you stand is the first step.
VyStar’s Financial Fitness tool makes it easy to get started with a Personalized Playlist, a collection of resources tailored for your financial situation. Here’s how you can complete it in just a few minutes.
Get a Personalized Playlist
Get started with our Personalized Playlist survey, which asks four key questions to understand your financial situation:
What are your financial goals? Whether you are focused on building savings, managing debt or planning for retirement, knowing your priorities is the first step.
How far ahead do you plan for budgeting, savings and spending? Some people map our years in advance while others focus on just the days and weeks ahead.
In a typical month, how difficult is it to cover your expenses and pay all of your bills? If staying on top of bills feels like a struggle, your playlist will include budgeting tips and similar strategies.
Suppose you have an emergency that costs $400. How would you pay for that expense? A $400 emergency could mean dipping into savings, using a credit card or borrowing from a family member. Understanding your current approach can help you better prepare.
Based on your answers, you will receive a custom Financial Fitness Personalized Playlist with resources and action steps designed for your situation. Think of it like a personal financial coach.
How to Complete the Personalized Playlist Survey
Meet Jamie, 19-year-old recent high school graduate
Jamie is a 19-year-old recent high school graduate who wants to buy a car for more stable transportation. She is still learning about finances and doesn’t plan too far ahead. While she makes enough money to cover expenses, she doesn’t have much in savings, so an unexpected expense would be challenging.
Goal: To buy a car
Planning timeline: The next few months
Financial difficulty: Somewhat difficult
Emergency expense response: Put it on my card and pay it off over time and borrow from a friend or family member.
With these answers, Jamie’s Personalized Playlist includes:
Creating a Budget
Building Emergency Savings
Credit Scores and Reports
Car Loans
Shopping for Insurance
Meet Lee, a 45-year-old construction project manager
Lee is a 45-year-old construction project manager. While he still has working years ahead, he wants to ensure he is saving enough for retirement. He has some credit card debt that he would like to eliminate and needs help understanding the best strategies.
Goal: To save for retirement and to pay off debt
Planning timeline: The next 5-10 years
Financial difficult: Somewhat difficult
Emergency expense response: Use funds from my checking or savings account and use cash
With these answers, Lee’s Personalized Playlist includes:
Getting Started with Investing
Planning for Retirement
Creating a Budget
Introduction to the Stock Market
Credit Scores and Reports
Better Understand Your Financial Situation
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your finances, taking a few minutes to complete the survey and getting a Personalized Playlist can give you a clearer path forward. You can even share the course with your friends to help them on their financial journey.