Financial Health Institute

Why should you care about financial health?

The Financial Health Institute (FHI) sees personal finances and economics as an integral part of our lives. We know that every individual is navigating unique challenges and therefore requires education and training that is relevant and applicable to that person in their current situation. We call this Person-Centered Financial Education©. We help people in vulnerable populations (people with low incomes, people facing barriers from mental illness, disabilities or other challenges) stabilize their economic situation and improve their financial health. We also help professionals gain the skills they need to help their clients improve their financial health.

Money is one of the most frequently reported causes of stress. Stress is one of the most influential determinants of health. Poor health is one of the largest burdens on personal finances. Health is an invaluable, intangible asset closely aligned with the ability of a person to stabilize and improve their economic situation, but this asset is not equitably available to all people. The World Health Organization defines “Health” as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” We define financial health as the dynamic relationship of one’s financial and economic resources as they are applied to or impact the state of physical, mental and social well-being. When we help people gain skills to improve their financial health, they reduce the effects of stress and trauma and restore their health and economic outcomes.

Your contribution will help people living with economic stress gain awareness, hope, and tools to improve their personal and family economic stability.