You work hard for your money, so you deserve to make the most of it!

A budget lets you do the things you want with your money; a spending plan can ensure you have enough in the bank to do the things you want, and regain control over your finances.

鈥淎 budget helps you prepare for those unexpected expenses, and with life throwing some pretty big curve balls our way the importance is crucial,鈥� notes Erin Durber, the Assistant Branch Manager at location.

Where to start:

鈥淭he first thing we need to know is how much do you make 鈥� what does your after-tax income look like? This will let us know what funds we can look at for your budget,鈥� Durber says.

After you determine your earnings, it鈥檚 important to establish your goals. Ask yourself: 鈥榃hat鈥檚 most important to you right now?鈥�

Goals should be realistic, and an appointment with an experienced advisor at Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, can help you determine what you want to accomplish and how to get there. With an expert wealth team on their side, and experienced advisors with access to a full collection of resources and information at their fingertips, they鈥檒l make sure your goals are attainable, achievable, and reflect the stage of life you鈥檙e in.

Your goals will be different in every stage of life. Someone in their early 20s may be saving for school, or working to get their foot in the door and establish a career. Later in life you may have the career on track, but you鈥檙e saving for a house and hoping to start a family. Closer to retirement? A whole new set of financial goals takes over!

No two lives are exactly the same, and by taking the time to understand each client鈥檚 needs, Valley First advisors can provide a unique, tailored approach.

Another great resource? Members can access the Budget Calculator on at any time, to start making sense of their finances.

What might budgeting look like for you?

鈥淚t could start with putting away a portion of your paycheque. A budget doesn鈥檛 need to be something that puts a weight on your shoulders and stops you from spending money completely. It just helps you become more aware of where your money is going 鈥� and this is something everybody should know!鈥� Durber says.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all here for you. Even in your darkest times when you don鈥檛 think anything can get better, it鈥檚 always worth a conversation. While it may not be better right away, we will get you where you want to be. We鈥檙e here to help and however we can, we鈥檙e happy to,鈥� she says.

Visit Valley First to learn more, or book your with a stellar advisor!