What Is Financial Wellness?

January marks the start of a fresh year and with it comes National Financial Wellness Month, a time dedicated to reflection, resetting, and rebuilding positive financial habits. After the busy holiday season, many people feel the pressure of overspending, unexpected expenses, or disrupted routines. That makes this month the perfect opportunity to slow down, regroup, and focus on building healthier money habits that can support your financial success all year long.At Energy One Credit Union, we believe that every member deserves the tools, guidance, and support to create a confident financial life. Whether you are just getting started or you want to strengthen the foundations you already have, National Financial Wellness Month is an ideal time to take simple and meaningful steps toward better financial health.In this guide, we will explore what financial wellness is, why it is important, and how you can start improving your financial wellness this year using practical strategies, smart money habits, and trusted resources available through credit unions like Energy One.

What Is Financial Wellness?

Many people think financial wellness is simply about how much money you have in the bank. In reality, it is much broader. Financial wellness is your overall sense of financial stability, confidence, and control. It includes how you earn, spend, save, and plan for future needs. It also reflects your emotional relationship with money, such as how confident you feel making financial decisions and how you respond to financial stress.According to the insights shared during National Financial Wellness Month, financial wellness includes several key elements:

• How you generate income
• How you manage your expenses
• How you budget and use your money
• How you plan and prepare for the future
• How confident you feel about handling financial choices
• How you manage emotional influences like overspending or financial anxiety

When these areas feel balanced and aligned, you experience better overall financial well-being. When they are out of balance, stress and uncertainty often follow.Financial wellness is not about being wealthy. It is about being prepared, supported, and informed, no matter your current financial situation.

Why Financial Wellness Matters for Your Future

Your financial habits influence almost every aspect of your life. Strong financial wellness can reduce stress, improve quality of life, and create opportunities for both short-term and long-term goals. It can also help you manage unexpected events with more confidence.When you feel financially stable, you gain:

• Less stress and better mental clarity
• A stronger foundation for long-term goals
• The ability to handle emergencies
• Confidence in daily money decisions
• Improved family stability
• More freedom to focus on things that matter most

Financial wellness also benefits workplaces. Employees who are struggling with financial stress often experience decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and lower satisfaction. That is why many employers are now investing in financial wellness education. Strong financial health supports stronger communities, and that is something Energy One works to promote throughout Tulsa and beyond.

How to Start Improving Your Financial Wellness This Year

National Financial Wellness Month is your chance to create new momentum. You do not need complicated strategies or dramatic changes. Small, consistent steps can create a big impact.Here are key areas to focus on as you start improving your financial wellness this year.

1. Revisit Your Financial Goals for the New Year

Financial goals for the new year help set your direction. Maybe you want to pay down debt, save for a home, build an emergency fund, or open a youth savings account for your child. No matter the goal, clarity is essential.Try these steps:

• Write down the goals that matter most to you
• Break big goals into smaller milestones
• Set realistic deadlines
• Consider what tools or support you need to succeed

Energy One offers flexible checking and savings accounts, competitive loan options, and financial counseling support to help you build a plan that fits your lifestyle.

2. Strengthen Your Budgeting Skills

A budget is the foundation of financial wellness. It helps you see where your money is going and make choices that reflect your priorities.Here are a few budgeting tips to help you get started:

• Track your monthly spending
• Organize expenses into needs, wants, and savings
• Set spending limits you can actually follow
• Use digital budgeting tools for better visibility
• Review your budget every month

Credit unions like Energy One offer helpful budgeting tools, online banking features, and educational resources that make budgeting easier and more effective.

3. Build Healthy Money Habits

Healthy money habits are the behaviors that shape long-term financial success. When practiced consistently, these habits become part of your normal routine.Consider incorporating habits such as:

• Saving automatically each payday
• Paying bills on time
• Checking accounts regularly
• Avoiding impulse purchases
• Using credit responsibly
• Planning ahead for big expenses

If you are teaching children about money, this is also a great time to introduce youth accounts and simple saving habits. Energy One supports youth financial literacy with age-friendly accounts and access to financial education tools like Banzai.

4. Practice Smart Money Management

Learning how to manage money effectively is a lifelong skill. Strong money management includes both daily behaviors and long-term planning.A few simple practices can help you make meaningful progress:

• Review your income and expenses regularly
• Evaluate subscriptions and eliminate those you no longer use
• Compare loan rates and refinance when it makes sense
• Build or replenish your emergency fund
• Use alerts and reminders to stay on track

If you want extra help, many credit unions provide financial counseling resources. Energy One members benefit from personalized guidance and a knowledgeable team that truly cares about your financial well-being.

5. Strengthen Your Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is the knowledge you need to make confident money decisions. Building this skill can greatly improve financial wellness because it helps you understand how financial products work, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to plan for long-term success.You can improve financial literacy by learning about:

• Savings and checking accounts
• Credit scores and credit building
• Auto loans and refinancing
• Mortgage basics
• Interest rates and fees
• Retirement accounts
• Youth financial education

Energy One offers educational articles, budgeting tools, workshops, and online resources created to empower members of all ages and backgrounds.

6. Create a Personal Financial Wellness Plan

A financial wellness plan brings all your goals, habits, and strategies together. It gives you a clear guide to follow throughout the year and ensures your financial decisions match your priorities.Here are steps to create a financial wellness plan:

• Evaluate your current financial situation
• Identify your most important goals
• Highlight areas where you want improvement
• Develop action steps you can follow each month
• Choose tools and resources that support your plan
• Review your plan quarterly to track progress

A well-designed plan helps keep you focused, accountable, and confident.

How Credit Unions Help With Financial Wellness

Credit unions have a long tradition of supporting financial wellness in local communities. As member-owned institutions, credit unions prioritize service, education, and people over profits.Here are some of the ways credit unions help improve financial wellness:

• Lower fees and competitive rates
• Personalized support and financial counseling
• Community-focused programs
• Access to financial literacy resources
• Budgeting tools and money management apps
• Youth accounts and financial education for kids and teens
• Auto loan and mortgage options designed with member needs in mind

Members also benefit from the friendly, personal attention that credit unions are known for. At Energy One, we combine that small-town feel with modern services like online banking, mobile apps, electronic transfers, and financial tools that support you wherever you are.

Why Energy One Federal Credit Union Supports Financial Wellness

Since 1935, Energy One Federal Credit Union has helped members build stronger financial futures with personalized service, practical resources, and innovative products. We understand that financial wellness plays a vital role in every stage of life, from managing your first checking account to buying a home, raising a family, or preparing for retirement.We are committed to:

• Helping you build better financial habits
• Providing tools to make budgeting easier
• Offering loans and accounts that fit your needs
• Giving you access to friendly experts who care about your success
• Supporting youth financial education in our communities
• Empowering your financial journey with trustworthy guidance

Whether you want to open a new account, apply for an auto loan, explore mortgage options, or simply improve your financial wellness, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Financial Wellness Month Ideas for Individuals

If you want to celebrate National Financial Wellness Month in meaningful ways, here are a few simple ideas:

• Review your budget and update your spending plan
• Set three achievable financial goals
• Check your credit report
• Open a savings account or increase your contributions
• Schedule a financial counseling session
• Start a money challenge such as a no spend week
• Create or refresh your emergency fund
• Teach your children a new money skill
• Evaluate loan rates and refinancing options
• Automate at least one part of your finances

Small steps like these help you strengthen your financial wellness and move confidently into the year ahead.

Take Charge of Your Financial Wellness Today

National Financial Wellness Month is an invitation to pause, reflect, and take action toward a healthier financial future. Financial wellness is not about perfection. It is about progress, understanding your habits, and building a plan that supports your goals.At Energy One Federal Credit Union, we are here to help you every step of the way with personalized service, competitive products, and educational resources that empower your financial journey. You deserve financial confidence, and we are proud to be your partner in building it.If you are ready to improve your financial wellness, explore our flexible checking and savings options, budgeting tools, youth accounts, and loan products designed to meet your needs. And if you are not yet a member, there has never been a better time to join.Start your financial wellness journey with Energy One today. Your future will thank you.