How to avoid being your own worst enemy when it comes to your money and long term goals.

We all want to be better off, right?  Ideally, we would always make decisions that result in our best interest and help us reach our goals.  However, I think we know that isn’t always true.  Sometimes people sabotage themselves – eating that extra doughnut, hitting the snooze button when we are supposed to work out, letting Netflix keep playing the next episode, the list can go on and on.  Why we do this usually has to do with short term wants over long term well-being.   

Given the new tax rules and rates, it may be time to reconsider your retirement plan options

There are many financial rules of them (don’t spend more than you earn, save 20% of your income, etc.) with one of big ones being to put money away in a pre-tax 401(k) if your work offers one.  The main incentive to do so is that these accounts have tax advantages – some of your earnings go in tax free, it grows tax free, and you then pay taxes later when you take withdrawals at hopefully a lower rate.

Whether it’s a job loss, layoff, or furlough, the quicker you start making changes, the better. Acting quickly ensures you can continue meeting today’s expenses without accruing further debt and will allow you to keep on-track for your retirement goals.

1. Get your mindset right.
   1. Even if the loss seems insignificant at first- a 10% pay cut or reduction in 401(k) matching - it can be just as damaging to your finances. As soon as you find out you will be experiencing a reduction in your income, start thinking about how you can spend less.
      

Why Isn’t It Working?

Have you ever seen the old Popeye cartoons?

If you have, then you know there was a certain vegetable that gave Popeye super strength as soon as he ate a can of it. That’s right, spinach.

He would eat that can of spinach and his muscles would immediately get bigger and he would suddenly be able to defeat his arch enemy Bluto and rescue his true love Olive Oyl.

Your home is often the most valuable thing you own; not only for sentimental reasons, but just for the sheer dollar amount.  I am guessing that while the vast majority of you have homeowners insurance, people often do not know or understand the coverage they have.  In some cases, this can be costly if a claim is made later.  Here are a few things to review in your homeowners’ policy that are common points of confusion.