Financial conditions
10 patterns that show up in personal finances. Each is described the way a diagnosis is: what it is, how severe it is, who it affects, and the steps that fix it.
- 1Living Paycheck to PaycheckMonthly cash flow barely covers expenses, leaving nothing for emergencies or savings.Affects: ~60% of Americans. Tools: budget analyzer, emergency fund.
- 2On Track for a Retirement CrisisCurrent savings trajectory will leave a major income gap in retirement — visible decades before it hits.Affects: Most workers under 50. Tools: retirement planner.
- 3Debt OverloadTotal debt payments consume an unsustainable share of monthly income, limiting all other financial progress.Affects: Avg US household: $100k+ debt. Tools: debt payoff, budget analyzer.
- 4No Emergency FundLess than 3 months of essential expenses in liquid savings — one job loss or health event away from financial crisis.Affects: About 40% of Americans. Tools: emergency fund.
- 5Tax InefficiencyOverpaying taxes due to missed deductions, wrong account types, or poor timing of income and gains.Affects: Most W-2 earners. Tools: tax health, roth vs traditional, capital gains.
- 6PFIC Exposure (Indian Mutual Funds)Holding Indian mutual funds as a US person triggers Passive Foreign Investment Company rules — creating a hidden, punishing tax liability.Affects: H-1B / Green Card holders with India investments. Tools: fbar checker.
- 7H-1B Financial UncertaintyVisa status uncertainty creates unique financial planning constraints — unclear how to invest, save, or commit to long-term goals in the US.Affects: H-1B and H-4 EAD holders. Tools: immigration planner, fbar checker.
- 8College Funding GapNo dedicated college savings plan, or one that is severely underfunded relative to projected tuition costs.Affects: Parents of children under 12.
- 9Critical Insurance GapsMissing or underinsured in key areas — term life, disability income, liability coverage — creating catastrophic downside exposure.Affects: Most self-employed and young professionals.
- 10Stagnant Net WorthIncome grows but net worth stays flat — money earned is immediately absorbed by lifestyle inflation, taxes, or inefficient spending.Affects: High earners who are not wealthy yet. Tools: net worth, budget analyzer.
Not sure which applies to you?
The Financial Wellness Score takes 22 questions and about 8 minutes, and names the conditions that show in your answers.