Lifestyle

How to Measure Financial Well-Being (and Why It’s Worth It)

Published

5 years ago

August 7, 2020

One of the most challenging aspects of managing money is figuring out where you stand financially. After all, there’s nobody looking over your shoulder telling you whether the decisions you make are right or wrong. It helps to first have a framework for measuring your financial well-being — sort of like a report card.

The point of measuring your financial well-being against benchmarks is to help you get a sense of where you stand — and what actions you could take to bring yourself closer to your goals.

Here’s more on how to evaluate your financial standing and why it’s worth it to do so periodically.

Try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Well-Being Scale

The CFPB has actually developed a scale to help consumers assess their financial situations. Users answer sets of questions to determine where they fall on the scale, then add up the point values of their responses to get an overall “financial well-being score.” Users can then compare their scores to U.S. averages, as well as access resources on common topics — like tracking expenses, dealing with debt, saving and investing.

From these questions we begin to see some of the categories that define financial well-being, like:

The ability to cover a large unanticipated expense without going into debt.
Having money left over at the end of the month.
The degree to which finances control your life and choices.
Having room in your budget to cover variable expenses (like gifts for special occasions).
Staying on top of bills and financial decisions rather than falling behind.
Planning for the future, as well as managing money in the present.

If you’re short on time, you can fill out an abbreviated version of this scale to get a general feel for where you stand. If you’d like to take a more in-depth look, there’s a standard version with more questions.

According to the CFPB, financial well-being encompasses:

Net Worth: A Broad Look at Financial Well-Being

Perhaps the quickest and most straightforward way to evaluate financial well-being at a glance is calculating your net worth.

1. Tally up the value of your assets — like savings accounts, investments, vehicles, etc.

2. Tally up the total amount of your liabilities — like credit cards, mortgages, other loans, etc.

3. Subtract the liabilities from the assets.

These days, you can even plug these values into a simple net worth calculator rather than doing the math by hand.

Improving Your Financial Well-Being

It can be quite frustrating to find your financial well-being currently falls short of where you’d like it to be. However, getting an honest feel for where you stand today is the first step toward attaining your ideal financial future; it will help you set realistic goals and measure your progress.

Here’s an example: Many people exist in debt denial. They know they owe money, but avoid sitting down and looking at exactly how much — let alone planning how to repay it. Assessing their financial well-being could be the push they need to finally take an honest look at their budget and debts. After figuring out where they stand, someone in this situation may decide to speak with a credit counselor who then helps them get enrolled in debt relief management. Under a debt management plan (DMP), the person is able to consolidate their debts through the agency and pay what they owe over the course of three to five years at reduced interest.

According to Michigan State University, there are four general behaviors which support financial well-being:

Living within your means by actively managing your money.
Conducting research and gaining knowledge about financial decisions.
Setting realistic goals and planning for the future.
Following through on all three aforementioned behaviors over time.

Measuring financial well-being means checking in across various aspects of money management, which is why it’s a good practice for anyone and everyone. Only by understanding where you stand today can you set goals and make effective decisions for tomorrow.

Lifestyle

The Power of Integration: Fred A. Kressaty’s Inner Harmony Redefines Emotional and Spiritual Growth

Published

18 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Michelle Langton

In today’s world, personal growth often feels fragmented. Self-help trends lean heavily toward emotional intelligence (EQ) or spirituality but rarely explore how these powerful forces can work together.

Fred A. Kressaty’s book, Inner Harmony: Mastering Emotional & Spiritual Intelligence, bridges this gap, presenting a revolutionary approach to achieving balance and purpose.

By merging emotional and spiritual development, Fred provides readers with a comprehensive framework for managing life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity.

This innovative perspective has made Inner Harmony a standout in the crowded self-help genre, earning it a place on the shelves of readers seeking practical and profound guidance for living a fulfilled life.

The Missing Link Between Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence

While emotional intelligence emphasizes understanding and managing one’s emotions, spiritual intelligence leads to finding more profound meaning and purpose. These two intelligences are often treated as separate paths, but Fred argues they are deeply intertwined.

In Inner Harmony, he reveals how integrating EQ and SQ leads to holistic well-being, clarity, inner peace, and stronger relationships.

Fred explains that EQ helps us journey through the external world—our relationships, professional lives, and personal goals—while SQ connects us to the internal world of values, beliefs, and purpose.

By blending these intelligences, we can achieve a state of “inner harmony” that aligns our actions with our more profound truths.

The Practical Framework of Inner Harmony

One of the book’s key strengths is its practicality. Fred doesn’t just discuss theories; he offers readers a step-by-step guide to applying EQ and SQ principles in everyday life.

The book introduces readers to tools like mindfulness practices, emotional regulation techniques, and values-based decision-making. These methods help individuals build resilience, strengthen relationships, and lead more intentional lives.

The chapter on resilience is particularly impactful. It shows how emotional intelligence can help individuals bounce back from setbacks, while spiritual intelligence offers the perspective needed to find meaning in challenges.

Fred’s approach empowers readers to see adversity not as a roadblock but as an opportunity for growth.

Empathy and Connection: The Heart of Inner Harmony

Empathy is one of the book’s central themes, and Fred explores it through the lens of both EQ and SQ. Emotional intelligence enables us to understand others’ feelings, while spiritual intelligence helps us approach those feelings with compassion and a sense of interconnectedness. A dual perspective that transforms how we interact with others, fostering more profound, more meaningful connections.

Fred’s insights into authentic communication are especially relevant in today’s polarized world. By combining emotional awareness with spiritual values like patience and forgiveness, readers can approach difficult conversations with empathy and understanding, creating bridges instead of barriers.

Leadership Through EQ and SQ

Fred devotes much of the book to exploring how EQ and SQ can transform leadership. He argues that great leaders are not just emotionally intelligent—they are also spiritually grounded.

The book includes practical advice for integrating EQ and SQ into leadership practices, from using self-awareness to navigate tough decisions to employing empathy to connect with team members. Fred’s insights are backed by real-world examples, making the concepts easy to understand and apply.

The Role of Mindfulness in Integrating EQ and SQ

Mindfulness emerges as a key tool in Inner Harmony, as the bridge connecting emotional and spiritual intelligence. Fred introduces readers to mindfulness practices that enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and spiritual clarity.

By staying present and grounded, individuals can navigate their emotions more effectively and make decisions aligned with their values.

The book offers simple yet impactful exercises, such as mindful breathing and reflective journaling, that readers can incorporate into their daily routines. These practices help cultivate a sense of balance and perspective, even in the face of life’s challenges.

Why Inner Harmony Matters Today

Inner Harmony is a timely guide to achieving balance in an era marked by burnout, anxiety, and disconnection. Fred’s integrated approach addresses the root causes of these issues, offering readers the tools to lead more intentional and meaningful lives.

His focus on both emotional and spiritual growth ensures that the book resonates with a broad audience, from professionals seeking workplace balance to individuals looking to deepen their relationships.

The book’s emphasis on aligning actions with values is particularly impactful. In a culture that often prioritizes productivity over purpose, Inner Harmony encourages readers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

The Vision Behind the Book

Fred A. Kressaty’s motivation for writing Inner Harmony stems from his journey of transformation. After a near-death experience in 2000, he underwent a profound spiritual awakening that reshaped his understanding of life’s challenges.

This moment inspired him to study the Bible, explore emotional intelligence, and ultimately develop a framework that integrates these insights.

For Fred, the book is more than a guide—it’s a mission. He hopes to empower readers to discover the tools within themselves to live with purpose, authenticity, and connection.

His approachable tone and relatable anecdotes make the book both inspiring and accessible, ensuring its message reaches those who need it most.

A Legacy of Balance and Purpose

As Fred A. Kressaty continues his work as a coach and counselor, Inner Harmony is the culmination of his life’s dedication to helping others. The book is not only a reflection of his professional expertise but also a testament to his belief in the transformative power of resilience, self-awareness, and faith.

Whether going through a personal crisis, seeking greater clarity in your relationships, or looking to lead purposefully, Inner Harmony: Mastering Emotional & Spiritual Intelligence offers a roadmap to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Fred’s story and book remind us that balance is not about perfection but about alignment. Connecting our emotional and spiritual selves creates a foundation for resilience, connection, and lasting fulfilment.

To Purchase The Book, Visit:

E-book: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Harmony-Mastering-Emotional-Intelligence-ebook/dp/B0FSGQC233/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Harmony-Mastering-Emotional-Intelligence/dp/1304106276/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Harmony-Mastering-Emotional-Intelligence/dp/1304106209/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0