"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." – Yoda
As April comes to a close so does National Financial Literacy month, and we want to remind Ohioans about the importance of financial literacy and establishing and maintaining healthy financial habits. Good habits over the long-term help improve your credit score, increase your savings, and can help you realize your dream of homeownership.
Here are some tips on improving your financial health and developing good financial habits:
- Evaluate your current financial situation:
- Assess all your assets, debts, and income.
- Check your credit reports, including credit scores, for free with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Build and/or refine a budget based upon your current financial situation. Create realistic goals!
- Set up payment plans.
- Cut out extras.
- Ask for help by seeking financial counseling.
- Continue to grow your own financial literacy; never stop learning how to improve your financial situation.
If you are thinking of buying a home, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is here to help. Our Homebuyer's Guide provides the information you need to know as you navigate the process. We also offer a variety of programs, such as down payment assistance, career-related interest rate discounts, and other loan products, that can make buying a home or condo easier. You can learn more about our programs at myohiohome.org.
For more information on OHFA's homeownership programs, visit myohiohome.org/documents/HomebuyerGuide.pdf. For a 30-day money challenge, visit cnbc.com/2023/04/01/financial-literacy-month-30-day-money-challenge.html.
