7 Quick Tips for Managing Your Finances During Cancer Treatment
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Photo: Photo by Surabhi Agrawal
Your oncologist handles the treatment plan, nurses provide invaluable bedside care, caregivers are beside you every step of the way, and social workers are always there to answer a question — but there’s one person missing.
Who is advocating for your financial health so you can afford your everyday needs like food and housing?
These are the gaps that Family Reach is here to fill.
Check out these quick tips from financial planners to help you manage your money during cancer treatment.
1. Balance what’s coming in with what’s going out
“Start with cash flow. During cancer treatment, for example, work hours may be reduced but spending might stay the same. If you were already living ‘check to check’ prior to your diagnosis, you may need to reduce your expenses. It may seem daunting at first, but it can be as easy as switching to a low-cost cellphone carrier or choosing to make coffee at home!”
— Patrick Logue, CFP®, Florida
2. Take advantage of employee benefits
“I encourage my Family Reach clients to obtain a copy of their current employee handbook and benefits, confirm their current elections and beneficiaries, and find out the date of their next enrollment period in case there’s an insurance plan that will save them more during treatment.”
— Anonymous, CFP®, New Jersey
3. Keep track of what you’re spending
“It’s not easy, fun, or a quick fix, but your spending plan is an area you have the most control. Don’t worry about pinching pennies, just create an awareness around your spending. Track and categorize every expense each day so you can align your spending with what’s most important.”
— Deidre Fernald, CFP®, Florida
4. Review your paycheck stub
“How many withholdings do you have? Are you contributing to a 401(k) or other retirement plans? Are there other pre-tax deductions? You can work with someone on your Human Resources team to understand what adjustments you can make during treatment. The important catch is none of these changes have to be permanent – but every dollar can make a difference today.”
— Tom Bennett Jr., CFP®, California
5. Consider getting a life insurance policy
“If you’re currently working, or a spouse is working, my advice would be to check with the respective employer and if possible, obtain a maximum amount of life insurance that doesn’t require evidence of insurability. Some professional associations and churches will also offer group benefits like life insurance, so that can be another option.”
— Jay Neary, CFP®, Wisconsin
10 Years of Supporting Family Reach
6. Take care of your physical and mental health first
“I don’t want finances to be the thing that keeps you up at night – we can find ways to move it down the list. Getting healthy needs to be the most important thing, and that includes taking care of your head and body as best you can! Maybe you’re not able to do what you used to do in the same ways, but throwing a birthday party, treating yourself to a date night, or spending some money on things that make you happy can help relieve some stress.”
— Anonymous, CFP®, California
7. Don’t hesitate to sign up for free advice
“[Free financial coaching services] are really about helping people. It’s not about the financial planner making money, it’s a casual conversation that’s customized to the patients and their families to help them make it to a better place financially. It can have a huge impact.”
— Adam Spiegelman, CFP®, California