When training to go the distance in a marathon, you build on your current fitness, mix up your activities to build strength, and continually check your progress. Investing for the long-term is really no different.
Cardio exercise and weight training are important components of physical wellness, and paying your bills, sticking to a budget and saving for retirement are all important components of personal financial wellness. But what happens when an unplanned emergency throws your financial life out of balance? What would you do if, for instance, you lost your job unexpectedly? Just like you build your core muscles to help maintain your physical balance, to protect against a financial imbalance, you should develop your “financial core” by creating an emergency fund to keep you going strong.
