17 Vital Signs You’re Financially Healthier Than You Realize
It is easy to become stressed about your finances, especially when there is always another bill to pay. However, when we feel overwhelmed, it is easy to lose track of how we are really doing with our finances. We look at 17 signs that your finances are healthier than you think. You Pay Your Bills on Time Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Many of us are familiar with missing a bill occasionally, but we should always look at the bigger picture. Consistently meeting your minimum payment obligations demonstrates responsible credit management, and the odd late payment will not make a huge impact on your credit rating. You Have an Emergency Fund Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Even a small emergency fund can be a lifesaver for unexpected expenses, such as your car breaking down or an emergency renovation. Having a buffer shows you’re prepared for financial curveballs, and even though you have issues with your cash flow now and again, you focus on the bigger picture. Your Debt is Under Control Photo Credit: Shutterstock. High-interest debt can be a burden, but manageable debt payments with a plan to pay them down indicate financial progress. Taking out loans and credit cards and making all repayments can improve your credit rating. You’re Not Living Paycheck to Paycheck Photo Credit: Shutterstock. People in true financial distress often have to borrow money to cover their expenses until payday or may go without essentials until they work overtime. If you can comfortably cover your essential expenses without relying on credit between paychecks, that’s a positive sign of financial stability. You’re Saving Regularly Photo Credit: Shutterstock. You may not be financially stable as you do not save significant portions of your monthly wage. However, even negligible, consistent contributions to your savings account show a commitment to your financial future. You Don’t Fear Checking Your Accounts Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Avoiding your bank statements due to anxiety suggests financial fear. If you are worried about your bank balance but still take the time to check it each month, you are likely in a much better position than you think. Regularly checking your accounts allows you to stay informed and in control. You Can Afford Small Splurges Photo Credit: Shutterstock. If you often feel guilty about buying yourself treats now and again, try to be kinder to yourself. Occasionally enjoying a treat without feeling excessive guilt demonstrates a healthy balance between saving and enjoying life, so try not to catastrophize when you do something nice for yourself. You Have a Budget Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Creating a budget and making a genuine effort to follow it, even with occasional adjustments, shows responsible financial planning. The next time you feel stressed about your spending, log on to your budget spreadsheet to remind yourself how well you are doing. You’re Not Afraid to Talk About Money Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Open communication about finances with partners or family demonstrates financial maturity and can cause stress. You may be in charge of your finances more than you believe if you often find yourself working through your money woes with your loved ones. You’ve Got Future Goals Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Having financial goals, whether it’s a dream vacation, a down payment on a house, or a comfortable retirement, motivates you to save and plan for the future. If this sounds like you, your financial position is likely to stay on track for the majority of the time. Unexpected Expenses Don’t Derail You Photo Credit: Shutterstock. While unexpected costs can be inconvenient, handling them without going into extreme debt shows financial resilience. If you were truly at sea with your finances, you would be scrambling for every dollar you could find when unexpected expenses cropped up. You’ve Compared Your Spending Photo Credit: Shutterstock. One of the worst things you can do is compare yourself to others rather than focus on what you are comfortable with. Instead of comparing how much money you and your friends have, you should focus on your own financial situation and goals. Focusing on yourself demonstrates financial self-awareness. You’ve Refinanced Debt Photo Credit: Shutterstock. From time to time, we must consider taking on debt to cover significant life events, such as buying a new home or getting married. Taking advantage of lower interest rates through refinancing shows a proactive approach to managing debt and does not have to mean the end of a good credit rating. You’re Not Afraid to Ask for a Raise Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Feeling confident enough to advocate for your worth at work demonstrates financial self-belief. If you always do your best to get a pay rise and are assertive enough to push for a bonus, you definitely show financial acumen. You’ve Helped Others Financially Photo Credit: Shutterstock. While prioritizing your financial health is essential, occasionally helping others demonstrates financial security and generosity. If you regularly offer to help friends and family or donate to a charity without leaving yourself short, you know how to manage your money effectively. You’re Not Obsessed with Keeping Up with the Joneses Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Focusing on your own financial goals and avoiding unnecessary spending to impress others reflects financial independence. You may feel like you are missing out occasionally, but at least you are not straining your finances for things you don’t need. You Feel More Secure About Your Financial Future Photo Credit: Shutterstock. A growing sense of security and confidence about your financial situation is a strong indicator of financial well-being. Try to think of your long-term performance rather than just focusing on the two months you have struggled financially.
2024-04-01T15:19:15Z
25 Foods That Offer Even More Iron Than Beef
No red meat? No problem! You may pump iron in the gym, but the kind you get through food is even more important for your health. The mineral transports oxygen throughout your body, helps form red blood cells, and supports your metabolism. “Too little iron in your diet and you may be feeling cold, tired, and sluggish,” says Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Ideally, women should aim for 18 milligrams (mg) per day, while men only need 8 mg, says Prest. The best way to get enough is through diet—and yes, it’s true that red meat is an excellent source. Just one 3-ounce serving of lean ground beef packs 2.2 mg of it, per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). But what if you want to steer clear of steak? While research shows that red meat provides important nutrients (including iron, muscle-building amino acids, vitamin B12, and zinc), it might also increase your risk of several chronic diseases, including heart disease and even certain types of cancer. Meanwhile, studies show that plant-based diets may do the opposite and lower your risk of health problems down the road. Luckily, you can find iron beyond a Quarter Pounder with cheese—but you’ll need to eat more of the mineral if you’re completely vegan or vegetarian. That’s because there are two types of iron: heme and nonheme. Meat, seafood, and poultry contain both forms, while plant-based or fortified foods contain only nonheme. This can be an issue if you’re strictly plant-based, since your body has an easier time absorbing the iron in animal products, according to the National Institutes of Health. (Quick tip: Pairing plant-based sources of iron with vitamin C-rich foods can boost absorption.) The fix: “Vegetarians and vegans should consume around 1.8 times the recommended daily value,” says Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., author of The Plant-Powered Diet. For women ages 19 to 50, that works out to about 32 mg of iron per day. The 25 delicious foods on this list, which pack more iron than a serving of beef, can help you hit your daily mark.
2024-01-01T05:12:02Z
