Trim wisely, grow sustainably
Cut unnecessary costs to create space for growth
Simple habits might help you make more intentional financial decisions
1. Avoid shopping when hungry or emotional:
Impulse buys can often be triggered by stress, boredom or sadness.
2. Take advantage of reward programs:
Earn points, cashback or discounts for future purchases.
3. Buy off-season:
Purchase seasonal items after their peak time for potentially more savings.
Action step: Shop smarter, save more
Save more now for the life you want tomorrow with help from the Corebridge Saving Center.
Visit the Saving Center
Treat savings as a non-negotiable expense
1. Pay yourself first:
Set up automatic transfers to a savings account as soon as you receive your paycheck.
2. Set spending limits:
Break down spending into categories like groceries or entertainment and determine reasonable limits for each based on your income.
3. Review and reevaluate regularly:
Your financial situation may change, so review your savings every few months and adjust as necessary to stay on track.
Action step: Prioritize savings
It’s important to set clear financial goals so you have something to work toward.
Read how to set financial goals
Combine awareness with thoughtful adjustments to your spending habits
1. Stick to your budget:
Know how much you can spend each month and stick to it.
2. Plan purchases ahead:
Make a shopping list before heading out or browsing online.
3. Use the 24-hour rule:
When considering non-essential purchases, wait 24 hours to evaluate if it’s truly necessary.
Action steps: Avoid impulse spending
See where you can shift spending so you can save more!
Try budget worksheet
Small additions to your savings can add up over time. Use this calculator to find out how this might work for you.
Use the calculator
Click the icons to the right to see suggested best practices
Action today can lead to great things tomorrow. Action is everything.
This material is general in nature, was developed for educational use only, and is not intended to provide financial, legal, fiduciary, accounting or tax advice, nor is it intended to make any recommendations. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Please consult with your financial professional regarding your situation. For legal, accounting or tax advice consult the appropriate professional.
Annuities are issued by The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), Houston, TX or The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York (USL), New York, NY. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company and each company is responsible for the financial obligations of its products. Beginning January 1, 2026, USL will be Corebridge Financial’s sole authorized issuer of new annuities in New York.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc., member FINRA,
VALIC Retirement Services Company provides retirement plan recordkeeping and related services and is the transfer agent for certain affiliated variable investment options.
All companies above are wholly owned subsidiaries of Corebridge Financial, Inc.
Corebridge Retirement Services, Corebridge Financial and Corebridge are marketing names used by these companies. Learn more about our affiliated companies: corebridgefinancial.com/names.
© Corebridge Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
VC40683 (03/2025) 1615612 EE
SIPC and an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Plant the seeds for future growth
Start small, grow big. Your financial future begins today!
Using resources can help you better understand finances
1. Knowledge is power:
Financial education can help you make more financially responsible decisions.
2. Practice what you learn:
Apply your knowledge by setting up budgets and tracking your expenses.
3. Stay curious and keep learning:
Financial education is a lifelong journey, so commit to continuous learning to adapt to new tools and strategies as life changes.
Action steps: Invest in learning
Boost your financial knowledge with valuable information in the Corebridge Education Center.
Corebridge Education Center
Take action by registering to attend an educational webinar.
Register for webinar
Having the cash to cover an emergency can potentially help reduce financial stress
1. Set a savings goal:
Aim to save enough to cover 3-6 months’ worth of expenses.
2. Start small, build gradually:
Begin with small, manageable contributions then gradually increase as needed.
3. Automate savings:
Set up automatic transfers to a separate emergency savings account to ensure consistency and minimize the temptation to spend.
Action step: In case of an emergency
Building an emergency fund might be more doable than you may think.
Learn how to get started
Regular contributions, even small, add up over time.
1. Start early:
The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow through compound interest.
2. Contribute regularly:
Set up automatic contributions to ensure consistent savings.
3. Increase contributions over time:
As your income grows, gradually increase your contributions to keep up with inflation and future needs.
Action steps: Contribute to retirement accounts
Enroll in your workplace retirement plan.
Already enrolled? Check the current contribution limits to see if you might be able to bump up your savings.
Enroll
Check contribution limits
Click the icons to the right to see suggested best practices
Action today can lead to great things tomorrow. Action is everything.
This material is general in nature, was developed for educational use only, and is not intended to provide financial, legal, fiduciary, accounting or tax advice, nor is it intended to make any recommendations. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Please consult with your financial professional regarding your situation. For legal, accounting or tax advice consult the appropriate professional.
Annuities are issued by The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), Houston, TX or The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York (USL), New York, NY. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company and each company is responsible for the financial obligations of its products. Beginning January 1, 2026, USL will be Corebridge Financial’s sole authorized issuer of new annuities in New York.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc., member FINRA,
VALIC Retirement Services Company provides retirement plan recordkeeping and related services and is the transfer agent for certain affiliated variable investment options.
All companies above are wholly owned subsidiaries of Corebridge Financial, Inc.
Corebridge Retirement Services, Corebridge Financial and Corebridge are marketing names used by these companies. Learn more about our affiliated companies: corebridgefinancial.com/names.
© Corebridge Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
VC40683 (03/2025) 1615612 EE
SIPC and an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Spring clean your finances
Time to declutter and refresh your finances
Not all debt is bad,
but bad debt can be really bad
1. Create a debt repayment plan:
List all your debts, prioritize high-interest items like credit cards, and focus on paying them off first while making minimum payments on others.
2. Cut unnecessary spending:
Pay down debt by reviewing your budget and eliminating or reducing non-essential expenses like takeout or stopping by the coffee shop.
3. Increase income streams:
Look for opportunities to earn extra income and direct all additional earnings toward debt reduction.
Action steps: Ditch the debt
Read about how to manage debt to your advantage.
Read the article
Use this calculator to see what it will take to pay off your credit card balance.
Visit the calculator
Make sure your goals reflect your current priorities and financial situation
1. Review life changes:
Consider any major life changes like a new job, marriage or family growth that might shift your financial priorities.
2. Factor in short-term and long-term goals:
Identify which goals are most important for right now and adjust your savings plan accordingly.
3. Revisit and adjust regularly:
Financial situations change all the time, so schedule periodic check-ins to make sure you’re still on the right track.
Action step: Update your savings goal
What will it take to reach your savings goal? Use this calculator to help you find out.
Try out the calculator
Track your spending and adjust for unnecessary expenses
1. Use a budgeting worksheet:
Track your spending to categorize expenses and identify patterns.
2. Set spending limits:
Establish clear limits for non-essential categories, like dining out or entertainment, and review them regularly to make sure you’re staying on budget.
3. Cut or substitute unnecessary purchases:
Identify subscriptions or recurring costs that you no longer use or need, and either cancel them or switch to cheaper alternatives.
Action step: Review your budget
See where you can shift spending so you can save more!
Try a budget worksheet
Click the icons to the right to see suggested best practices
Action today can lead to great things tomorrow. Action is everything.
This material is general in nature, was developed for educational use only, and is not intended to provide financial, legal, fiduciary, accounting or tax advice, nor is it intended to make any recommendations. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Please consult with your financial professional regarding your situation. For legal, accounting or tax advice consult the appropriate professional.
Annuities are issued by The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), Houston, TX or The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York (USL), New York, NY. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company and each company is responsible for the financial obligations of its products. Beginning January 1, 2026, USL will be Corebridge Financial’s sole authorized issuer of new annuities in New York.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc., member FINRA,
VALIC Retirement Services Company provides retirement plan recordkeeping and related services and is the transfer agent for certain affiliated variable investment options.
All companies above are wholly owned subsidiaries of Corebridge Financial, Inc.
Corebridge Retirement Services, Corebridge Financial and Corebridge are marketing names used by these companies. Learn more about our affiliated companies: corebridgefinancial.com/names.
© Corebridge Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
VC40683 (03/2025) 1615612 EE
SIPC and an SEC-registered investment adviser.