Do you ever feel like all of your paycheck goes to bills and you're only just “getting by"? You're not alone: 76% of Americans today are living paycheck to paycheck¹. Even if people pay their bills on time, there's rarely anything left over at the end of the month. Over the past decade, student loans have become a big burden, and the average credit card debt is over $15,000².

What about retirement? The uncertainty of how to plan for the future keeps a lot of people up late at night. What about an emergency fund? Studies have shown that almost two-thirds of the U.S. will struggle to pay $500 in an emergency³. It's no wonder the majority of us feel anxious about our finances. If you want to start taking control of your future, LearnVest is an affordable alternative to a traditional financial planner, it can help point you in the right direction.

Planning for your finances can be an intimidating challenge. LearnVest knows this, and prioritizes your financial planning based on three foundations: getting out of debt, establishing an emergency fund, and planning for retirement. From there, you can set additional goals and work with LearnVest to achieve them

The team at LearnVest wants to make financial planning accessible and affordable to everyone. With their online dashboard, you can integrate all of your financial accounts (credit cards, bank accounts, retirement accounts, etc.) all in one place. LearnVest uses your accounts to calculate an asset-to- debt ratio showing your total net worth and giving you a bird's eye view of your finances.

Want to be debt free next year? LearnVest can show you how to get there when you enter your debt-free date. One of the best features of signing up is a free 15-minute call with a Learnvest representative where they walk you through the financial planning benefits of their premium product compared to the free account. For all you DIYers, you can enjoy videos, daily emails, and a blog with hand-holding resources. This includes detailed articles about, different retirement plans, insurance policies and estate documents, all at your fingertips.

Need a little more hands on help with planning your future? LearnVest can match you with a dedicated financial planner, for a fraction of the cost of a traditional financial plan. Everyone's financial goal is not going to be the same - Your planner tells you what to do month by month, dollar by dollar, so you are staying on track toward the goals you have set for yourself. Whether your goal is saving for your child's college tuition, retirement, or a vacation, for once, you can save and work towards a goal instead of going into debt and incurring a new financial burden.

Most people want help with their finances, but don't know where to start. The first step is actually doing something. It doesn't matter where you are in life. Now is the best time to think about your future and take action today.

Update: Follow this link to sign up for Learnvest and receive your free 15 minute consultation

LearnVest Planning Services is a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of LearnVest, Inc. that provides financial plans for its clients. LearnVest, Inc. is wholly owned by NM Planning, LLC, a subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Bankrate, Inc., Short On Savings, Americans Still Feeling Positive 2013 ¹,
Nerdwallet, American Household Credit Card Debt Study 2016 ²,
Do You Pay For Unexpected Expenses 2016³