Why a Financial Plan is Critical if You Have a Security Clearance

This highlights why having a solid financial plan in place is mission critical if you handle sensitive government information. If debt starts piling up or you begin missing payments that threaten your financial stability, it can also threaten your very job and livelihood. 

Financial problems like excessive debt, foreclosures, tax liens, or bankruptcies are all considered red flags that could demonstrate irresponsible behavior or increase risks of you being influenced by outside parties. Any signs that you are struggling financially or making reckless money management decisions could call your reliability and trustworthiness into question. 

This is why establishing a budget, building an emergency fund, minimizing unnecessary debt, and contributing to retirement savings should all be priorities. The last thing you want haunting you during your next periodic investigation or security clearance review is past financial mistakes that raise doubts about your responsibility to handle classified information. 

Don't let a lack of financial planning sabotage your security clearance and career. Be proactive by figuring out your budget, sticking to it, and keeping your finances in order. It could prevent devastating professional consequences down the road for those entrusted with our nation's secrets.