When you’re caring for a family member, you don’t think twice about scheduling doctor appointments and making sure your loved ones are getting their annual physicals and any tests and vaccines that are part of these routine checkups.

Can you say the same for yourself?

When it comes to your own preventive care, it’s easy to push it off or treat it as optional. Work deadlines, kids’ schedules, aging parents, laundry that magically regenerates overnight — it’s a lot. And when life gets this full, things like financial planning, estate decisions, and yes, even preventive healthcare, tend to slide to the bottom of the list.

But consider this: Making time for annual checkups and screenings isn’t just good for your physical and mental health — it’s also good for your financial health. When people regularly receive preventive care, they are more likely to catch health issues early, when they’re most treatable and less expensive to manage.

Even better, in-network preventive care is 100% covered when you’re enrolled in a medical plan through Sandia.

When you think about retirement and long-term planning, your health is a major part of the equation. Keeping up with routine screenings and annual checkups is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health and your financial future. Here are three reasons why preventive care belongs on your calendar, even when life feels packed.

1. Early detection saves money (and stress)

Catching potential health issues early often means simpler treatments, lower costs and fewer surprises. Screenings for things like high blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer and diabetes are designed to spot problems long before they become expensive or complicated. A small time investment now helps prevent the kind of medical bills — and life disruptions — that can derail long-term financial plans.

2. Staying healthy helps keep your life on track

When unexpected illness strikes, it affects more than physical health — it derails routines, responsibilities and the people who count on you. Preventive care significantly reduces the risk of those disruptions by helping you stay ahead of conditions that could pull you away from work, family and day-to-day life. Supporting your own well-being is one of the most reliable ways to keep everything else moving.

3. Checkups are easier to fit in than ever before

Healthcare has adapted to real-world schedules. Many providers offer early-morning and evening visits, weekend hours, virtual appointments and opportunities to bundle multiple screenings. That means preventive care doesn’t have to be a major time commitment; you can plan it like any other essential annual task.

Prioritizing preventive care is a practical, cost-saving habit that strengthens both your health and your long term financial security. A few intentional appointments each year can pay off with greater confidence, fewer surprises and a healthier future.

Cybercrime doesn’t wait for you to have free time. Between work, family and everything else on your plate, it’s easy to assume cybersecurity is too technical or too time-consuming to tackle. The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to meaningfully protect your financial life. A few intentional habits — maintained consistently — can dramatically reduce your risk.

Cybercriminals typically go after the easiest path: reused passwords, unprotected devices and accounts no one is actively watching. Here are three fast, high-impact actions that deliver real protection without eating up your time.

1. Lock down your logins

Think of passwords as the front door to your financial life. Make each one unique, especially for financial, email, phone and social media accounts. Avoid using your email address as a username and skip obvious passwords. Instead, use long passphrases you can remember (for example, a sentence with punctuation). Then add two-factor authentication (2FA). Where available, voice or device biometrics add another layer of defense.

2. Monitor your accounts and credit

After gaining access, criminals move fast. Regularly review your account activity, profile changes and alerts so nothing slips by unnoticed. It takes minutes but can save months of cleanup.

For extra protection, consider freezing your credit with the major credit bureaus. A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name — one of the most effective ways to stop identity fraud cold.

3. Secure the devices you use every day

Your phone and computer are gateways to your finances. Keep them updated with the latest operating system and security patches, use antivirus software and avoid public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping. Enable built-in protections like automatic screen locks, “find my phone” apps and biometric access. Be cautious with links and attachments, and if something feels off, stop engaging immediately. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to act fast or give them remote access.

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. A few intentional steps, repeated regularly, can protect what matters most — your money, your identity and your peace of mind. To find resources that help you stay vigilant and protect your accounts and personal information, visit Fidelity.

Are your retirement accounts scattered among different financial institutions? If you’ve worked for different employers, you could lose sight of retirement accounts you’ve amassed along the way. Changes in plan providers or recordkeepers can make it even more challenging to hunt down your money.

When juggling multiple retirement accounts, it can be hard to stay on track with your savings and investing goals. Consolidating your accounts could be your best move. In addition to saving you time and potential headaches, having fewer accounts to manage:

• Makes it easier to monitor and manage your funds
• Reduces fees associated with multiple accounts
• Makes asset allocation and diversification easier

If you want to consolidate accounts, you can roll qualified funds from other plans into your Sandia 401(k). To get started, contact Fidelity. They’ll help you streamline your accounts and maximize your financial future.