By Jessica Turner, Founder of The Mom Creative.

Sponsored by Regions Bank, Member FDIC. All thoughts are my own.

Would you consider yourself financially fit? Chances are, probably not. According to a new survey* from Regions Next Step, Regions Bank’s financial education program, the majority of Americans surveyed (81%) do not consider themselves to be “very financially fit.” Additionally, more than two-thirds (69%) of those who do not consider themselves financially fit say they do not have a formal budget and 61% are feeling stressed about their household’s financial situation over the next year.

If you fall into that majority, you can take simple action toward financial fitness even during these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, if you are currently faced with financial challenges, now is an excellent time to do an audit of your finances. Read on to review three simple ways improve your financial fitness.

Create a Monthly Budget: A budget can feel daunting, especially if you have never done one or it has been a long time. But having a budget allows you to better control your money, instead of it controlling you. You will also feel more confident if faced with a financial setback. Follow these six helpful tips for budgeting and set up a budget that meets your needs, and you could see some immediate changes. This podcast also offers actionable tips on setting up a budget that meets your needs:

Start Saving – or Saving More: Whether you want to save for an emergency fund, a household expense or something else, consider setting a savings goal and then work toward reaching it. Determine the amount you want to save, then add it into this calculator to see how to achieve it. This short 2-minute video can help you understand the different types of financial planning strategies and how to save for short and long-term goals.

Talk with a Banker: If you are feeling overwhelmed with your finances, reach out to your bank and ask to schedule an appointment with a banker. Sometimes it helps to have a personal conversation related to your specific needs, and bankers can offer helpful wisdom and insights.

You can make simple changes that will have a lasting impact on your financial fitness.

*The Financially Fit Family omnibus survey questions were part of a national online survey that took place between April 1 – 5, 2020. It reached N=2,000 US adults, and the results are weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

Jessica N. Turner, The Mom Creative, is a popular writer and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her first book, the Wall Street Journal’s best-selling title, The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, encourages women to practice self-care and make time for their passions. Her latest book, Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter and Thrive released last year.

A veteran in the blogging industry, Jessica founded her popular lifestyle site The Mom Creative in 2006. Since then she has published thousands of blog posts and worked with the nation's most trusted brands including Southwest Airlines, Maytag, P&G, World Vision, Dyson, Rubbermaid, and Hallmark. Women from across America trust Jessica's advice on shopping, parenting and intentional living.

Jessica has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Today Show, Hallmark's Home & Family, O Magazine, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Inc.com. She has three active children.