Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET on Twitter and YouTube. This week, we discussed the road to financial wellness. Our #CreditChat panel included Jason Vitug – Founder of Phroogal.com, and Dr. Barbara O’Neill- CFP®, Distinguished Professor, and Specialist in Financial Resource Management, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Carey Ransom- CMO of Payoff.We were also joined by several influencers in the personal finance community on Twitter. This deck features tips from: @FSAstore, @AFCPE, @OperationHOPE, @dougboneparth, @LeslieHTayneEsq, @SFCUNews, @emergebenefit, @PhiladelphiaF.E.C., @Rod_Griffin, @URMoneyMentor, @UncommonJules, @PiggieBanker, Phroogal, @MoneyCrashers, @Kasasa, @Payoff, @DaHartattack, @firstqfinance, @_MoneySavingPro, @DearDebtBlog, and @Moneytalk1

1. The Road to Financial Wellness
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

2. Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
This week, we talked to the community about the Road to
Financial Wellness.
ex.pn/wellness

3. How do you define financial wellness?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

4. Financial Wellness is being in control
of your finances, and having the
freedom to live without fear or doubts
about financial control.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
FSAstore.com
@FSAstore

5. Financial wellness is having the ability
to take care of today’s needs and save
for tomorrow’s wants.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
AFCPE
@AFCPE
#CreditChat
”

6. Financial wellness is being financially
literate and living a long-term
sustainable lifestyle.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Operation HOPE
@OperationHOPE
#CreditChat
”

7. Financial wellness is being financially
literate, empowered and in control. It
means you are proactive with your
financial life.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Douglas A. Boneparth
@dougboneparth

8. What are bumps people may encounter on
the road to financial wellness?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

9. Picking up bad financial habits. Abusing
credit, making buying instead of saving
a priority and not understanding needs
vs. wants.
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Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Leslie H. Tayne, Esq
@LeslieHTayneEsq

10. Debt, poor credit and unexpected events
can slow you down, but everyone can
achieve financial wellness.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Southeast Financial
@SFCUNews

11. Unexpected expenses can make for
some big bumps in the road- having
an emergency fund can make these
hurt less.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Emerge
@emergebenefit

12. Health issues. Many people are a
diagnosis away from a financial crisis.“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
AFCPE
@AFCPE

13. Low income communities are often
targeted by predatory lenders who can
make it VERY hard to achieve financial
wellness.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Philadelphia F.E.C.
@FEC_Philly

14. Fearing the word ‘budget’. Call it
what you will, it’s a map for the road
to financial wellness.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Rod Griffin
@Rod_Griffin
#CreditChat
”

15. Discipline is a major roadblock to
financial wellness… not knowing
when to say no to yourself hurts
your bottom line.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Alexandria Cummings
@UrMoneyMentor

16. What are some common debts people
struggle with?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

17. The main debts that have trended
on #TheRoad are student loans,
credit card debt and medical bills.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Juliana
@UncommonJules

18. Credit card debt, personal and
payday loans, homes and car loans
and store accounts.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Piggie Banker
@PiggieBanker

19. Debt preys on the uninformed. Arm
yourself with the knowledge to
wrangle and tame it before it runs
your life.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Leslie H. Tayne, Esq
@LeslieHTayneEsq

20. For millennials, student debt is the
biggest struggle. The cost of
education is out of hand. For others
it’s mortgages and credit cards.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Douglas A. Boneparth
@dougboneparth

21. What are steps people can take to get out
of debt?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

22. Education is an important part of
getting out of debt. Teach yourself
about basic personal finance.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Phroogal
@Phroogal

23. Take stock of how much you owe. Stop
hiding from it and get a clear picture of
the situation.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Money Crashers
@MoneyCrashers

24. Trim the fat off your monthly spending
(clothes, alcohol, restaurants) and start
putting that money toward your debt.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Kasasa
@Kasasa

25. The first step is making a
commitment to yourself to get out
of debt. Being honest with yourself
your needs and wants.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Payoff
@Payoff

26. Know your financial personality, make a
plan to money for past debt, present
spending and future saving.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Dani Hart
@DaHartattack

27. Create a bare bones budget and
stick to it! You’ll be amazed how
much extra money you’ll have.
Invest it.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Will Lipovsky
@firstqfinance

28. How important is budgeting on the path to
financial wellness?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

29. It’s important to create a spending
plan! Know where your money is
going!
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
MoneySavingPro.com
@_MoneySavingPro

30. Essential. Without a budget, you’re
traveling without a map.“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Money Crashers
@MoneyCrashers

31. Budgeting is the blueprint to financial
wellness. Planning and not diverging can
ensure financial success.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Operation HOPE
@OperationHOPE

32. Budgeting it absolutely central
to achieving financial wellness.
It puts you in the driver’s seat
of your finances.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Emerge
@emergebenefit

33. It’s hard to get a handle on your
finances if you don’t even know how
much you’re spending! Budgets are
crucial.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Philadelphia F.E.C.
@FEC_Philly

34. How does credit affect financial wellness?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

35. Having a good credit score is part of
being financially healthy. Don’t take
unnecessary debt, but a little is okay.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Southeast Financial
@SFCUNews

36. Good credit allows big item
purchases. If abused, it can take years
to repair. Spend wisely and stay in
your budget.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Operation HOPE
@OperationHOPE

37. You will have times in your financial
life where you need credit. House, car
or loan? You might need to have your
credit in check.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Douglas A. Boneparth
@dougboneparth

38. Good credit can lower interest rates
making debt less costly and more
manageable.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
AFCPE
@AFCPE

39. Credit can help or hinder your
financial wellness depending on how
responsible you are being with it. The
key is responsibility.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Kasasa
@Kasasa

40. Credit will always play a role in our
finances, but you get to decide if it’s
the villain or hero.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Payoff
@Payoff

41. Remember, credit is not the same as
debt. Credit is a tool. Debt is a
problem.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
Rod Griffin
@Rod_Griffin
#CreditChat
”

42. What are ways to save when struggling
with debt?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

43. Start with your emergency savings
first so you can deal with unexpected
issues that might arise while you
work to pay off debt.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
AFCPE
@AFCPE

44. Automate! Make sure you take at
least 10 percent off the top for
savings.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
MoneySavingPro.com
@_MoneySavingPro

45. Take a look at your spending and start
small if you need to. Maybe don’t go out
to eat for a week and save without
owing interest.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Southeast Financial
@SFCUNews

46. Set up automatic savings and start
paying off high-interest debts first
(credit cards). You can do both at
once.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Philadelphia F.E.C.
@FEC_Philly

47. Pick up a side hustle! Not only will it
earn you a little extra cash to put
towards debt, but you’ll pick up new
skills!
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Leslie H. Tayne, Esq
@LeslieHTayneEsq

48. When should you seek help from a financial
expert? Any nonprofits you can recommend?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

49. Everyone can benefit from talking to
a financial planner. They may see
problems or opportunities that you
don’t.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Southeast Financial
@SFCUNews

50. When to contact professional help will
vary from person to person. But the
important thing is to not fear asking
for help!
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Leslie H. Tayne, Esq
@LeslieHTayneEsq

51. Education is an important part of
getting out of debt. Teach yourself
about basic personal finance.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Phroogal
@Phroogal

52. Financial planners can help you map
out your financial journey before
you get off the beaten path.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Juliana
@UncommonJules

53. No matter who you are, you deserve
to treat yourself to a financial
professional. It’s like preventative
medicine.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Payoff
@Payoff

54. The notion that you need money to talk
to a financial professional is
bothersome. There are financial advisers
that will invest in you first!
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Douglas A. Boneparth
@dougboneparth

55. Any final tips to help the community stay
financially well?
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat

56. It’s never too late to achieve financial
wellness. Find tools, make a plan and
work hard. You can do it.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Southeast Financial
@SFCUNews

57. Don’t beat yourself up over past
decisions. Start with a clear slate today
and use lessons learned to improve
going forward.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
AFCPE
@AFCPE

58. Encourage learning and teaching.
TALK about money. Understand how
it works.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Melanie
@DearDebtBlog

59. Remember - money is just a
tool. You’re always in control!
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Emerge
@emergebenefit

60. Become financially literate, educate
yourself and stay disciplined. I can’t say
enough about discipline. Emotion has no
place with money.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Douglas A. Boneparth
@dougboneparth

61. Learn something new every day about
personal finance; save early and often;
live below your means.
“
Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET
#CreditChat
”
Dr. Barbara O’Neill
@moneytalk1

62. Check out videos, podcasts, and list of upcoming chats:
experian.com/creditchat

63. Subscribe & Check Out: