By Vivian Abraham of Police Mortgage
Everybody’s situation is different. Everybody has different ways in which they want to make money, save money, invest money, all of that. But the biggest piece to financial wellness, I believe, is making sure that your assets are protected.
As I learned at the Chicago Patrolman Credit Union, you need to build a portfolio where your wealth is steadily increasing, and you are getting yourself into a position where you can retire. You don’t want to have to take on a part-time job or go back to work at an age when you should be able to retire.
You want that security. Retirement looks different for everybody. So maybe you want a part-time job, but you need to be in a position where you are doing it because that is what you want to do and not what you have to do.
Security also means different things to different people. Maybe you want to set yourself up to go on a vacation once or twice a year. Maybe you just really enjoy having the financial security to spend more time with your grandkids. So, the idea of financial wellness is very individualized. It’s what you would like your future to look like.
More often than not, most first responders I work with want to be debt free at one point or another in their lives. So, when we do seminars it isn’t just about talking about home loans for police. We talk about setting financial goals. If you want to be completely debt free, we’ll show you the steps that you should take to be able to get yourself there.
If you’re someone that likes to invest and you invest in real estate, well you’re still going to have debt but that debt is making money for you. Hopefully that leverage is creating a profit if you are diligent about what you are doing.
I’ve heard the mentalities of, “Well I’m always going to have debt” or “I’m going to die having debt. What does it matter to me if I pass away and I have this debt?” I think the peace of mind of knowing that having at least your bills covered each month and creating a little nest egg for yourself is an example of financial wellness.
That’s the most basic part of it. That is the most basic plan of financial wellness, being able to cover your day-to-day bills or month-to-month bills and have a little bit for a rainy day just in case.
Then there’s the age factor. When you’re younger, you’re going to have debt. In your early 20s you’re likely to make a few mistakes where you end up with debt in your 30s. The whole idea is for you to eventually get yourself to a point where you don’t want to be under mounds of credit-card debt and a car payment that’s 96 months long.
Those are some of the other key points in our financial wellness classes that we like to point out. Yes, you’re going to have debt. Everybody has had debt. Whatever situation you are in you’re not the first or the last person to be in it. But it’s how you help yourself get rid of some of that debt. Pay that bad debt off. Make sure you’re budgeting. Make sure you’re saving. And then be a little bit choosier with your debt as you get older and make sure you are protected. That’s financial wellness to me.
Police Mortgage specializes in conventional mortgages, purchase money transactions, FHA loans, and VA loans. Led by founder and CEO John Aretos, Police Mortgage is known and respected for providing clients with exceptional service, customized terms, quick and easy closings, and low money down options. To learn more about Police Mortgage, go to www.policemortgage.com or call 312-499-8878.
Police Mortgage for First Responders Who Are Second To None.
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I have my bachelor’s in business administration and have been involved in the banking industry for over 10 years. During this time, I managed two of the Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union locations prior to transitioning to Police Mortgage. I have family members who are police officers with the Chicago Police Department. My work has been very rewarding, and I take pride in having assisted countless members and their families with their financial needs and financial wellness. My hobbies include exploring new restaurants in the city and running for marathons that support pediatric cancer foundations and Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Run To Remember. I come from a large family primarily from the south side of Chicago and love to share all the diversity and beauty the city has to offer with my two children.
I am honored to grow up in a multi-generational family of Chicago Police Officers. I joined Police Mortgage in the summer of 2020 and love the opportunity to help both first-time buyers and repeat clients alike achieve their dreams of purchasing a home. Having been born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, I happily live in the Lakeview neighborhood today. Along with my two younger sisters, I am a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. I have a strong passion for food and love exploring the vast array of restaurants throughout our city. Nothing makes me happier than spending a summer afternoon on a golf course with family and friends!
I joined my brother at Police Mortgage as a loan officer in August of 2021 after a 10-year career in sales and marketing. Most recently, I worked as a Senior Account Executive for Ricoh North America, an office electronics company, where my main responsibilities were building new client relationships and maintaining over 400 existing customer accounts. I believe my work experience has transferred over to the mortgage industry well, because I am able to multi-task effectively while working with multiple customers. The skillset I learned in my previous employment allows me to stay organized and to manage my time well for my customers. My number one goal is always to make the loan process as quick and painless as possible for our borrowers. I am excited to further develop the Police Mortgage brand with my brother. It is a unique situation, and I believe working in an office together allows us to help our borrowers even more due to streamlined communication and our ability to help each other with our respective files. I like to spend my free time relaxing, watching sports, exercising, going out to eat with my wife, and trying to keep up with our three daughters – all under five years old!
After graduating from the University of Missouri in 2015, I moved to Chicago where I began a career in marketing at a firm called Ansira. I sought a career change and contacted Police Mortgage, where I was first introduced to the mortgage industry. I have spent the last 5 years training with our CEO, John Aretos, who has taught me all of the intricacies of the mortgage process. I love finding solutions for our clients to help them purchase the home of their dreams. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when helping homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, all the way through the loan process, from pre-approval to closing day. I recently moved back to my hometown of St. Louis, where we opened a new office. I am excited to help start this new chapter for Police Mortgage. My wife, Megan, and I are happy to be back in our hometown. We are always checking out new outdoor events such as music or food festivals – anywhere we can take our dog, Remy!
As the CEO of an organization associated with serving the Police and their loved ones, I am privileged to play a role in helping our clients achieve their life’s financial goals. Our mission is to make the home buying or refinancing process as comfortable as possible, providing our clients with competitive products and excellent service.
I was born and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area, and I have a deep-rooted love and appreciation for the diverse culture which makes our city so special. My two older siblings and I grew up working in our parent’s restaurant, which instilled a work ethic and sense of family that I carry with me to this day.
I am a graduate of Indiana University and have been involved in the mortgage industry for nearly 25 years, helping thousands of clients save money or finance the home of their dreams. My passions are passing down my love of food, music, art, snow skiing, and red wine to my three children, who motivate me to be a better person each and every day!
