In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona delves into the concept of financial self-care with Nerdwallet financial expert, Kim Palmer. Often, self-care is associated with relaxation activities like reading a book or taking a spa day, but financial self-care is about ensuring your financial practices contribute to your overall well-being.

The discussion begins with the importance of reflecting on your past financial habits and understanding how early money lessons impact your current financial behavior. Kim emphasizes the need to identify and change any negative patterns that may have been ingrained since childhood.

Next, they explore setting realistic and aspirational financial goals. Kim shares insights on how visualizing big dreams, like owning an expensive home, can motivate you to create actionable steps toward achieving those goals. This process involves regular check-ins and adjustments to your financial plans.

Tracking spending is another crucial aspect of financial self-care. With the help of budgeting apps, you can monitor your expenditures, receive alerts when you exceed your spending limits, and make informed decisions about your purchases. This practice helps keep your finances in check and reduces unnecessary spending.

The episode also addresses the challenge of saving money and building an emergency fund. Kim offers practical tips on prioritizing savings by cutting back on non-essential expenses like subscriptions and takeout orders. Building up your savings can provide a sense of financial security and peace of mind.

Lastly, they discuss the importance of maximizing employee benefits. Many jobs offer benefits that can significantly impact your financial health, such as flexible spending accounts, disability and life insurance, and childcare expenses. Kim advises listeners to check with their HR departments to ensure they are taking full advantage of these benefits.

Tune in to this episode of PennyWise for expert advice on practicing financial self-care and making your money work for you. By implementing these tips, you can achieve a more relaxed and content financial life.