Planning For My #HispanicDream

[box type="shadow" align="aligncenter" ]I wrote this post as part of my participation in a blog tour for Latina Mom Bloggers on behalf of MassMutual and received compensation to thank me for taking the time to participate. However, all opinions expressed are my own.[/box] I am going to make a confession. I try not to think about my financial future. It's not that I don't care. Being an entrepreneurial mami has meant that I have had to take some leaps of faith and some calculated risk in order to secure my family. Not just financially but to ensure that I also have the time for them. As I've often said, success for me these days has little to do with how much money I make.

But I think about it. Knowing that I have to start creating some long term plans as I build the foundation for my business. So, of course, this MassMutual survey comes along right when I'm set on NOT thinking about this stuff. This, my friends, is what I like to call "a nudge" from the universe.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company conducted their third biennial State of the American Family Study. This study offers a snapshot of Americans' views on finances. The following three points stand out to me:

• Paying off debt. More than half (57 percent) of Hispanics prioritize paying off their mortgage as a top financial priority and nearly half (46 percent) prioritize getting out of credit card debt – significantly greater than the general population.
• Focusing on a college education. Nearly half (49 percent) of Hispanics claim that paying for their children’s college education is something they insist on doing, yet only 31 percent rank savings/investing in their children’s college education as a top priority.
• Educating children about finances. Close to half (47 percent) of Hispanics are actively involved in educating children about finances and 79 percent recognize it is important in order to ensure their success in the future. Perhaps this emphasis is because 36 percent of adults wish their own parents had taught them more about money.

Yes, Lawd! These are some of the things that keep me up at night. College for my girl, as I give my school loans the side eye, is definitely something I think of often.

Reading through some of the findings on the Mass Mutual State of the American Family site has reminded me of all of these not so little (I'd use the word gigantus!) concerns. It has reminded me of my desire to not put my financial burdens or retirement questions on my child.

Having come to this country with my parents, I got to see first hand the financial sacrifices that were made in order to push me forward. Though I will always be grateful for what my parents did for me, it is my hope that I will be able to pass down to my child knowledge of finances and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that her Mami has planned for her future.

That is my Hispanic dream.

Did these findings resonate with you? What are some of the things that keep you awake at night regarding your financial future?