Everyday Moves for a Healthier Financial Future

Just Starting Out: Build Your Financial Foundation

If you’re in the early stages of your career, your most valuable asset is time. What you do now—even small actions—can have a huge payoff later. 

Smart Habits to Start

• Track your spending: Awareness is key. Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to see where your money is going. 
• Start an emergency fund: Aim for $500 to $1,000 to start. It’s your buffer against unexpected costs. 
• Invest early—even a little: Contribute to your employer’s retirement plan, especially if there’s a match. Even small contributions now can grow significantly over decades. 
• Avoid lifestyle inflation: As your income increases, resist the urge to upgrade everything. Prioritize savings and debt reduction instead 

Mid-career: Strengthen and Grow 

Mid-career often brings more income, but also more complexity—mortgages, kids, aging parents. This is the time to optimize and protect your finances.  

Smart Habits to Reinforce

• Automate your savings: Pay yourself first by automatically transferring money to retirement, savings, and investment accounts. 
• Review your budget regularly: As life changes, so should your financial plan. 
• Check your retirement progress: Are you on track for your goals? Use a retirement planning calculator or speak with an EY financial planner for a check-up. 
• Plan for college and caregiving: If you’re supporting kids or foresee the possibility of needing to care for senior parents, start planning early to avoid financial strain. 

Nearing Retirement: Focus on Preservation and Preparation  

As retirement nears, the focus shifts from accumulation of savings to stability and distribution of your nest egg. You want to make sure your retirement income will keep you financially secure for the rest of your life.  

Smart Habits to Adopt 

• Review your retirement plan: Know what income sources you’ll have—such as Social Security, savings, and pensions—and when to start drawing from them. 
• Eliminate high-interest debt: Reducing debt before retirement increases flexibility and lowers monthly expenses. 
• Review your investments: Evaluate the asset allocation and diversification of your investment portfolio. 
• Plan your lifestyle: Create a retirement budget that reflects how you want to live. 

WAEPA’s Free Financial Wellness Program 

WAEPA members have access to a free Financial Wellness Program through our partnership with Ernst + Young (EY). This program includes access to tools and financial advisors to help manage day-to-day finances and work towards long-term goals. 

Content courtesy of Ernst + Young (EY), © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. FinPlantFS 4.2025