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In celebration of World Baking Day, we are whipping up a different kind of recipe - a recipe for financial success. Whether you are aiming to build an emergency fund, pay off debt, or invest in your future, follow these step-by-step instructions to bake your way to financial wellness. Grab your apron and let’s bake.

Ingredients:

Budgeting

Your recipe to financial success begins with a clear understanding of your income and expenses. Create a budget that allocates your money toward essential expenses, savings, and your splurge fund. 

Saving Goals

Just like a baker carefully follows step-by-step instructions, setting financial goals provides you a clear direction to your desired objectives.  Set specific goals, such as building an emergency fund, saving for a down payment on a house or car, or planning for retirement. Break down these goals into achievable milestones. 

Debt Management Plan

Debt is like lumpy flour. It can be an unexpected obstacle that disrupts the smooth flow of your financial journey, making it harder to achieve your desired goals. Just like a baker sifts through the flour to remove lumps, develop a plan to pay off your debts systematically. Prioritize high-interest debts first while making minimum payments on others. 

Investing*

Using a variety of ingredients when baking can enhance the flavor of your dish.  Similarly, diversifying your savings strategies can help optimize your long-term growth potential. Selecting a balanced mix of investments will depend on your savings goals, risk tolerance, and timeframe. Before investing, consider your risk tolerance and consult with a qualified financial advisor to ensure that any investment strategy is suitable for your individual circumstances. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Monitoring

As is when you are baking, you need to keep a watchful eye on your finances to track your progress. Adjust your budget, savings, and investment strategies as needed to keep you on course toward your goals. Staying vigilant will ensure your financial recipe leads you to a satisfying financial future. 

Directions:

Prepare: Gather all your relevant financial information, including income statements, expense records, debt statements, and investment accounts.

Assess: Evaluate your current financial standing. Analyze your income, expenses, assets, debts, and net worth.

Set goals: Decide your short-, medium- and long-term financial goals. Make sure they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Determine your overall objective and then set smaller step-by-step goals to get you there.  

Plan: Create a detailed plan outlining how you will achieve each of your financial goals. Include your budget, savings goals, debt management plan, and investments.

Execute your plan: Implement your financial plan by following your budget, making regular payments toward your debt, and contributing to your savings and investment accounts.

Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review your progress toward your financial goals. Make adjustments to your plan as needed based on changes in your income, expenses, or financial priorities.

Continue Learning: Stay informed about personal finance topics and strategies to improve your financial literacy and to make sound money decisions. Talk to qualified financial professionals when needed, like your banker and wealth advisor. They are great resources to help you whip up your personal recipe for financial success. 

Enjoy the fruits of your baking.

Just as you would when baking a delicious cake, establish your financial goals, measure carefully, and then follow through with the plan. Make adjustments as needed so you can savor the sweet taste of a secure financial future. Happy baking!

Security Bank is committed to investing in the growth and success of people while preserving the community banking culture. Whether you are a start-up or an expanding enterprise, a young adult or grandparent, we are here to provide the tools, services and assistance that will help you whip up a recipe for financial sucess at any stage of life. 

Experience the difference at Security Bank. Visit us in person at 10727 E. 51st Street, at Highway 169 and 51st Street exit in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or give us a call at 918-664-6100.

This article is intended for information purposes only. This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

*There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice from a qualified financial advisor. Investment securities and insurance are: