Make That Financial Dream Into A Reality For Your Family! #HispanicDream @massmutual #Ad

*I wrote this post as part of my participation in a blog tour for Latina Mom Bloggers on behalf of MassMutual and received compensation to thank me for taking the time to participate. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

    Ten years ago, we bought our first home and it was a huge accomplishment for us.  We felt like we finally had our hands around the American dream and that we were finally on our way to obtaining some financial stability.  Unfortunately, buying a house is a huge expense and every time you turn around, there is something new to be fixed or paid for.

    Fast forward to today and we have continued to pay down our debt and work towards becoming debt-free but, I have to be honest, my husband and I worry about how quickly we will be able to do that because of the current state of the economy.  It has become harder than ever to save money and to be able make lucrative investments.

    Most Latinos have dreams about securing their financial futures but they don’t necessarily know how to align their financial decisions with their long-term financial goals.  MassMutual actually conducted a survey to assess the financial views of all Americans.  It really offers an inside look at how we prioritize our spending and our financial planning.

    These are among the key findings of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s (MassMutual) third biennial “State of the American Family Study”  that I can personally relate to my own family and finances:

• Paying off debt. More than half (57 percent) of Hispanics prioritize paying off their mortgage as a top financial priority and nearly half (46 percent) prioritize getting out of credit card debt – significantly greater than the general population.
• Focusing on a college education. Nearly half (49 percent) of Hispanics claim that paying for their children’s college education is something they insist on doing, yet only 31 percent rank savings/investing in their children’s college education as a top priority.
• Educating children about finances. Close to half (47 percent) of Hispanics are actively involved in educating children about finances and 79 percent recognize it is important in order to ensure their success in the future. Perhaps this emphasis is because 36 percent of adults wish their own parents had taught them more about money.

    Their findings speak volumes to me because it is my sueño, or dream, to be able to finally pay off our mortgage and to be closer to finally not having any debt.  Saving money for our sons’ college education is extremely important to us and we fully plan on supporting them financially so that they can obtain their degrees.

    Part of instilling these values about how to handle finanzas, or finances, is our responsibility as parents.  As a result, both of my boys have savings accounts and I escort them to the bank to deposit the money that they get for holidays and birthdays in order to teach them the importance of having a good save ethic.  They understand the value of money and that they have to budget in order to have enough money to buy the things that they want.

    Most parents are very concerned with making their financial dreams into a reality for their families and this study reflects these desires in its findings.  No matter what your income is, it is never too early to start thinking about your family’s financial future!  ¡Nunca es demasiado temprano para empezar a pensar en el futuro financiero de su familia!

Let’s Discuss:  What are some of the steps that you take to secure your family’s financial future?

Disclosure:  This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and Mass Mutual.  All opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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