As a school leader you’ve gone through an awful lot these past couple of years. Keeping your school going was a real challenge during the pandemic – and if your own well-being has been tested, you’re not alone.
Our very own research (published December 2021*) found three-quarters of school leaders believe their role is having a negative impact on their mental health – a 21% increase on a year earlier. 83% of you report increased worry, fear and stress about your job. 88% add its impacting sleep.
This April is the UK’s National Stress Awareness Month. It’s a really important initiative to highlight the negative impact that stress can have on our lives. It’s also a great opportunity to consider what we could do to improve our well-being – both in and outside of work.
- One of the key areas to focus on is your financial well-being
Financial stress is the biggest mental health burden in the UK, according to My Online Therapy Research. However there are steps you can take to help.
You might be feeling financial stress at the moment with your day to day spending, as high inflation impacts the price of the things we buy and bills we have to pay. There’s also your long-term future and goals like retiring. Are you doing enough to prepare? Do you have the right plans in place?
Improving your financial well-being can give you confidence and reassurance about your money matters. It’s about feeling more in control of your finances – not only for now, but for your future too. It’s knowing you’re able to pay the bills today but are also on the right path to a brighter financial future.
- So how do you go about ‘feeling in control’?
The first part of getting on top of your financial well-being involves having a firm grasp of your incomings and outgoings.
Think about how much money you have coming in at any one time, and what your usual expenses are – household bills and monthly direct debits, for example. It’s handy to have all this information stored somewhere, so it’s easy to keep on track of and occasionally review.
It’s also important your finances will hold up in an emergency. Having around six months’ worth of easily accessible savings could help you pay for any unexpected repairs that might crop up, like the need for a new boiler.
With plans in place to cover what-ifs and your day-to-day living, you can then start to plan for the future with more confidence. If you have savings, are they working hard for your long-term goals? Are you on track to achieve your ideal retirement? What about supporting loved ones?
Speaking to a financial advisor could help you answer your questions, so that you know what steps to take to feel more prepared.
- A benefit of being an NAHT member is we can offer you an advice service to help you boost your financial well-being
NAHT are proud to partner with Skipton Building Society – who have been helping NAHT members like you since 2006. Skipton offers personalised advice on investing for the long-term, retiring with confidence and building a stronger legacy.
-
- One of their expert financial advisors could help you determine whether you’re on the right path for your goals and – if not – provide you with a tailored plan to help make up any shortfalls.
- They’ll find out about your current circumstances and what it is you’d like to achieve with your money.
- So if you would like to boost your financial well-being and feel more prepared for the future, it’s worth booking an initial consultation.
- No upfront fees to pay – and no pressure to act
For extra peace of mind, you’ll have the time you need to think over Skipton’s recommendations, with no obligation to act. There’s no upfront fee to hear their advice either – you’ll only pay a charge if you decide to go ahead with Skipton’s recommendations.
Get in touch today to book your free initial consultation. This friendly chat is to find out if financial advice might be right for you.
Request a call back
Call 0800 121 4596
Skipton’s recommendations are likely to include stock market-linked investments. These aren’t like bank and building society savings accounts as your capital is at risk and you might get back less than you originally invested. You will need to have a lump sum of £20,000 to invest or be happy to invest £500 a month.
NAHT Personal Financial Services is a trading name of Skipton Building Society, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, under registration number 153706, for accepting deposits, advising on and arranging mortgages and providing Restricted Financial advice. Principal Office, The Bailey Skipton. N. Yorks BD23 1DN