Video Josh Duhamel would rather invest his money in North Dakota The "Ransom Canyon" star recently sold one of his Los Angeles homes, choosing instead to invest his money in his new homebase, Fargo, North Dakota.
Every year, millions of Americans step on a scale to see if they're healthy.
They check their weight. They know their blood pressure. They monitor cholesterol. Many even wear smart watches that track every heartbeat and every step they take.
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The truth is, America has no simple way to measure financial wellness. We know our credit score. We know our bank balance. We may even know what our 401(k) is worth.
But none of those numbers answer the question that really matters.
Years ago, I introduced the idea of a Money BMI because I believed Americans needed a financial version of the Body Mass Index, a simple measurement that tells you whether you're on the right track before small problems become major ones.
Think about it. Doctors don’t wait until someone has a heart attack before talking about exercise. They measure warning signs early.
Today, too many Americans discover they're financially unhealthy only after a crisis. A layoff. A divorce. A market correction. An unexpected medical bill. Retirement arriving years sooner than expected.
Instead of asking only, "How much money do you have?" we should be asking better questions.
Do you have an emergency fund? Are you saving at least 15% of your income? Could your family survive financially if something happened to you? Do you have a current estate plan? Are you paying unnecessary taxes? Will your retirement savings actually provide enough income?
Those questions paint a far more accurate picture of financial health than a brokerage statement ever could.
Imagine if every American had a simple annual Financial Fitness Score that could be something as recognizable as stepping on a scale at the doctor's office.
Think about it. Doctors don’t wait until someone has a heart attack before talking about exercise. They measure warning signs early. Our financial system should work the same way.
Not another government program. Not another complicated regulation. Not a new retirement plan you need an engineering degree to figure out.
Just a practical way to identify financial risks before they become financial emergencies.
Here's a quick version of what I call your Money BMI Check:
If you checked five or six boxes, you're probably in strong financial shape.
Three or four? You're making progress but have work to do.
Two or fewer? Your financial health deserves immediate attention, and you might be considered financially obese, just as your physical health would if your doctor raised similar concerns.
The good news is that financial fitness isn't reserved for the wealthy. Just like physical fitness, it improves through consistent habits rather than dramatic changes.
Small increases in savings. Reducing debt. Reviewing insurance. Updating estate documents. Automating good financial decisions. Over time, those habits compound into lasting financial security.
America has spent decades encouraging people to build wealth. We've done far less to help people measure whether they're actually on track. Great leaders will always tell you, "Expect what you inspect." Why don’t we have a mandatory inspection system for your Money BMI?
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Because just as knowing your physical BMI won't automatically make you healthier, knowing your Money BMI won't automatically make you wealthier.
But it may be the wake-up call that changes your financial future before it's too late.
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Ted Jenkin is President of Exit Stage Left Advisors and Host of The Red, White & Green Show.
