Akron Life February 2022

FINANCIAL PLANNING

by Alexandra Sobczak, photos provided by United Way of Summit and Medina

Financial Map Planning helps you reach your destination.

Think of financial plan ning as a GPS for your money, Don George says.

START EARLY George became a financial coach because he had trouble finding financial guidance when he didn’t have much money to invest. “When I was in my mid- to late- 20s, and we were a growing family, I said, I don’t know how to do better with [my money] ,” he says. “There was nobody on the other side of the desk when I was looking for them. And I’m glad to be that person.”

“GPS shows me how to get there, helps me get a good ETA of when I’m going to get there and helps me know where I am along the way,” says George, a financial coach at the Financial Empowerment Center at United Way of Summit and Medina. Budgeting and planning can help you on your financial jour ney no matter when you begin. The Financial Empowerment

Center serves clients of all ages, including some high school students and retirees. Clients often get help with budgeting, improving credit scores, saving, navigating retirement and more. Even if some of those things seem distant, George recom mends getting a head start. “None of us have a crystal ball, so no plan is foolproof,” he says. “But usually the earlier you make plans, the better off you are.”

If you’re in your 20s, it isn’t too soon to start. Some jumping off points might be working towards saving money and mak ing a budget. George recom mends examining your monthly spending habits. “Needs, actual needs — clothing, shelter, transportation — take care of those,” he says. “What do I have left to work with?” After figuring that out, consider debts, then things like social events and restaurant dining

32

a k r o n l i f e . c o m | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2