What Financial Health Means to Me – an Autism Parent’s Perspective

June 27, 2017June 26, 2017 Joel Manzer

We’ve all heard it before….. those sales pitches geared to garner your trust so you’ll buy their product or partake in a program that is “supposed” to improve your life in some way.

Call me a skeptic, but after working in marketing for over a decade, I’ve seen pitches like that coming from a mile away! In fact, even as I write this, I’m sure you’re probably thinking the same thing as well about this article……”Where is this guy coming from and what does he want? Do I even bother listening to what they have to say?”

Well, let me introduce myself. I’m a husband of over 20 years and a parent of a child with Autism. As with any married couple who has a child with special needs, financial health is extremely important, not only for my family as a whole but also to ensure we have our son financially prepared for the future.

Financial Health is something many people don’t want to openly discuss. After all, finances are usually a very private matter. Why should I share my financial struggles and victories? Why should I share that after a four-year battle getting my son diagnosed with Autism, that it would take several more years and thousands of dollars to get him in a place that works well both for him and for our family? Why should people care that 57% of Americans are struggling financially? Maybe you’re one of them, just like me…..I’m not sure. However, Financial Health is all about making sure we are sufficiently educated to plan and budget effectively. With proper education and tips, we’ve been able to save hundreds each month by watching our expenses and seeing just where our money really goes. Getting educated financially and putting what we’ve learned into action has resulted in the equivalent of essentially giving ourselves a small raise!

The bottom line is that we have to address this topic in such a way as to make sure people understand that there are challenges in life and there always will be challenges, in various forms; however, there are ways to prepare oneself financially, just in case those challenges do come along.

I’m sure you’ve experienced your own life challenges as well. Maybe your car had a flat tire or needed an emergency repair, or maybe your washing machine died and you couldn’t get it fixed so you had to run to the nearest Laundromat? Then there are those daily life challenges of needing to make sure your bills are paid so you have electricity so you have the A/C on in the heat of the summer.

Whatever your financial challenge(s), I can tell you from personal experience that addressing your financial health DOES matter in so many ways – both to you AND to your family!

Learning how our current financial systems work and how that can be applied in one’s personal life can alleviate a lot of stress. In addition, knowing what to look for and how to improve your financial situation through appropriate actions is key in taking full control of your Financial Health.

I’m grateful to work at a place that reinforces CFSI’s vision of promoting a “financially healthy America where people’s day-to-day financial system functions well and increases the likelihood of long-term resilience and opportunity.”

What does Financial Health mean to you?