Posted on: September 16, 2025

3 Simple (but Powerful) Steps to Secure Your Financial Future

Written by:

Cheryl Maddox

CFP®

There are three things you want to do before you do anything else when creating a financial plan. They are simple, and yet daunting at the same time.

It can feel like they will take forever. In our fast-paced, “get it done NOW” culture, doing three things that may take one to two hours each seems unrealistic.

But seriously, how many hours did you spend on social media this week? How much time did you spend in front of the TV? Whatever your guilty pleasure may be, don’t you think it’s worth a small sacrifice to make sure you and your family are taken care of?

It’s a small price to pay—you just have to make the choice to do them.

1. Get Term Life Insurance

The first building block to create your financial plan is to make sure the loved ones in your life will be taken care of after you’re gone. None of us like thinking about dying, but the fact is, unexpected accidents and illnesses happen.

If you have family members relying on your income for everyday expenses, you need life insurance. Dave Ramsey recommends 10 times your annual income, and I agree.

Term life insurance is often the most practical and affordable option for many families. Other products are often far more expensive and don’t benefit your family the way term life does.

If you’re serious about getting your finances in order, getting out of debt, and investing for your future, there will be a point in time you won’t need life insurance anymore. Until then, a 15–30 year term policy is your answer, and it’s incredibly cheap, especially if you are young and healthy.

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2. Do a Monthly Budget

Start now and don’t ever stop! This is something you will do forever. Make it your new habit.

When I first started budgeting, it took me nearly an hour each month and a lot of trial and error. I tried pen-and-paper templates, spreadsheets, and different apps. The one I found easiest and quickest is EveryDollar.

The first time setting up your budget will take the most effort, but it’s worth it. Once I categorized every expense from my bank statement, I realized how much money I was wasting without even noticing.

“A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went.” – Dave Ramsey

That process showed me how much cash I was missing, and I was able to redirect it toward paying off debt and saving. It actually felt like getting a raise.

Like any new skill, budgeting takes time and practice. Have patience and give yourself grace, but commit to becoming good at it. It will change your life for the better!

3. Create a Will/Estate Plan

I’ll be honest—I put this off for years. I always had an excuse: I might have more kids, we might move, our finances might change, I don’t have the time.

But here’s the truth: creating a will is not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process because life changes. That’s why you’ll need to revisit it every few years.

If you don’t have a will, the government decides what happens to your children and your money. Don’t leave that up to chance.

The best way to do a will is to just sit down and knock it out. There are plenty of affordable online tools, and if your situation is more complex, you can hire an attorney.

We put off creating wills because we don’t like thinking about dying. I get it—it’s not fun. But if you don’t make those decisions, someone else will, and it could cause conflict.

Leaving a will is not just about finances. It’s about leaving clarity and peace for your loved ones.

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Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge is not affiliated with SmartPro Financial. Fixed insurance services offered through SmartPro Financial. These are the opinions of SmartPro Financial and not necessarily those of Cambridge Investment Research, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice.