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18 | WINTER 2019 nsurprisingly, you have a lot of company. A 2018 Northwestern Mutual study taken to measure U.S. adults' attitudes and behaviors toward their finances revealed that Americans are more stressed by issues with money (44 percent) than personal relationships (25 percent) or work (18 percent). A whopping 87 percent feel more happiness from having their finances squared away than anything else in their lives. Yes, money matters. With such an obvious connection between money and happiness, what are some ways we can achieve financial wellness — along with a healthy peace of mind? Lois August, a Financial Wellness Manager for American Airlines Federal Credit Union, highlights five goals you can employ to establish a sturdy foundation. Increase your financial literacy. Learn more about managing your money by tapping into online resources and/ or reading books and magazines. Meeting with a financial professional also can help accelerate your move toward financial wellness. "The Credit Union offers some great options," August said. "We're offering the Navigator (see sidebar), and we have educational seminars and financial wellness coaches who help with reducing debt, budgeting and savings. We also have financial planners who can help with investing." Assess where you are financially. Before you review your accounts, assets and liabilities on the way to setting up crucial financial targets, start with positive thinking. "Truthfully, people hate the word budget. I would think of it as setting financial goals now and for the future," said August. "We also call it a spending plan." You're human, which means that at some point, you have almost certainly dealt with stress and anxiety about money — maybe even on a daily basis. Guiding the Way American Airlines Credit Union now offers the Navigator, an online interactive guide designed to help you improve your personal financial knowledge on the path to financial wellness. The new web portal is an educational tool that offers personalized action plans, interactive courses, easy-to-use calculators and budgeting tools, along with live webinars. The Navigator is available to anyone who uses AACreditUnion.org. WELLNESS CHECK-UP THE NAVIGATOR WELLNESS CHECK-UP THE NAVIGATOR MONITORING U