03/12/2026
Strengthen Your Financial Future
Filing your taxes puts your income, expenses, and savings into focus, making it an ideal moment to step back, reset priorities, and plan for the year ahead. Let tax season be more than a deadline - use it as a springboard toward greater financial control.
Start by reviewing where your money is going. A quick budget check can help identify “leaks,”such as subscriptions you no longer use or expenses that have quietly crept up. Even modest adjustments can free up cash for savings or debt reduction. If you get a tax refund, use part of it strategically to build an emergency fund, pay down debt, or jump-start a long-term goal. Next, think about your financial goals for the year ahead. Do you want to reduce credit card balances, boost retirement contributions, or better manage monthly expenses? Set one or two realistic goals and break them into manageable, achievable steps.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Your EAP has a wealth of financial tools to help with budgeting, debt management, and long-term planning, especially during times of economic uncertainty. These include:
- Certified Financial Coaching: Get help managing debt, purchasing a home, saving and spending, and creating a budget.
- Personal Finance and Investing Courses: Take charge of your finances at your own pace with online finance webinars and courses.
- Self-Help Financial Tools: Access a variety of articles on money-related topics. Don’t miss Tools for Tough Times, which offers money-saving ideas and resources to do more with less.
- Financial Calculators: Test financial scenarios to weigh potential outcomes, such as buy vs. rent, debt paydown, investing, loans, and more.
- Lifestyle Savings Benefits: Explore thousands of discounts, rewards, and perks in a variety of categories from your favorite brands.
- Counseling & Coaching: If money worries affect your mental health, tap into counseling and coaching benefits for stress management or dealing with life issues that may be contributing to money problems.
Explore these and other free tools by logging in at: www.theEAP.com/TotalCare-EAP or call 800-252-4555 for help!
Key March Dates
- National Nutrition Month
- National Kidney Month
- Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
- Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
- Brain Injury Awareness Month
- 3/3 – World Wildlife Day
- 3/8 – International Women’s Day
- 3/8-3/14 – National Sleep Awareness Week
- 3/15 - 3/21 – National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
- 3/15-3/21 – National Poison Prevention Week
- 3/20 – First Day of Spring
- 3/24 – American Diabetes Alert Day
- 3/26 – Purple Day