Financial Health Check: 10 numbers every family should review

A practical framework for reviewing income, expenses, protection, debt, savings and goals.

A financial health check is a structured review of where your family stands today and what could change over the next few years.

Start with cash flow: monthly income, essential expenses, discretionary spending and the amount consistently available for goals. Then review emergency reserves and high-cost debt.

Next, map protection needs. Consider dependants, liabilities, future goals and existing life and health cover rather than choosing a cover amount only by a rule of thumb.

Finally, write down goals with target dates. A clear time horizon helps separate near-term reserves from long-term investments.