MONEY HACKS: More Than Money: Why Financial Health is Part of a Bigger Picture

Ever notice how life feels off when different areas aren’t in sync? You might have a solid financial plan, but if stress keeps you up at night or your energy is drained, success still feels like a struggle.

Money, mind, and body are more connected than most people think. Financial stability eases stress. Mental clarity leads to smarter decisions. And good physical health fuels the energy and productivity to go after what you want.

Yet, too often, we treat them separately. Budgeting for the future while neglecting sleep, grinding at work but skipping meals, chasing financial success while running on empty. True transformation happens when you approach all three with the same strategy and discipline.

That’s exactly what Alex discovered when he tried to balance fitness, nutrition, and financial planning. Despite his efforts, real progress only came when he applied the same structured approach to health as he did to wealth: tracking habits, working with experts, and building a system that fit his lifestyle.

Have any money questions you’d like answered? Our Money Hacks series is built on conversations we have with employees, investors, savers, and anyone planning for their financial future. What topics are on your mind for our next episode?

Video Transcript:

Hey, this is Alex Assaley, and it's episode #126 of Money Hacks.

I wanted to take a different angle for today’s video and talk about the connection between financial health, physical health, and mental health—with a bit of a personal story.

We strongly believe that helping people make smart financial decisions and improving their financial literacy leads to a better life. But financial well-being doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Mental and physical health play a huge role in overall well-being. These areas are all connected, which is why we’re seeing more collaboration in employee benefits—linking health, medical, voluntary, and financial benefits together. These aren’t separate conversations; they all work together.

A year ago, I found myself frustrated with my physical health. My father passed away at a young age from a heart attack, and I lost my older brother a few years ago due to health complications. Given that, taking care of my health has always been a priority—but I wasn’t seeing the progress I wanted.

I was exercising, working hard, but my health metrics weren’t improving the way I hoped. That’s when I decided to apply the same principles we talk about in financial planning to my physical health.

At HUB, we often talk about the hierarchy of financial needs—creating a strong foundation, setting goals, and following a structured plan. I realized this could work for my health as well.

It wasn’t just about exercise—I focused on improving my sleep, adjusting my evening routine, and being more mindful about my overall well-being. Just like in financial planning, I sought expert guidance and started working with performance coaches.

I want to give a shout-out to Oliver and Lloyd, who have worked with me for the past nine or ten months, helping me build a customized plan for nutrition, movement, and mental health. They helped me focus not just on exercise but also on rest, recovery, and mindfulness.

Over the last nine months, I’ve seen real results. Not only do I feel better physically, but I also have more energy, better focus, and a renewed sense of confidence—knowing that I’m taking steps to be around for the long run for my family.

This experience reinforced something we see every day: whether it's financial, physical, or mental health, having a plan, working with experts, and staying accountable makes all the difference.

If you're working on improving any area of your life—whether it's saving for retirement, building healthier habits, or learning something new—find a strategy, seek support, and stay committed.

Hopefully, this message resonates with you, no matter what you're working on. And if it's your financial health that you're focusing on, we’d love to be a resource to help.

Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time.

Have any money questions you’d like answered? Our Money Hacks series is built on conversations we have with employees, investors, savers, and anyone planning for their financial future. What topics are on your mind for our next episode?