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HIGHLIGHTS on MONEY & SUCCESS
Welcome! I'm glad you're joining Dwight, Karen, and me on this new venture. I never would have guessed that launching our model would take almost two years, but using a business coach who forced us to work through our business and marketing plans before we ever went "live" was one of our best decisions. So keep that in mind before you take on a new challenge--find a good mentor to help you do the work that you probably want to avoid, but you know is good for you--like eating your leafy green vegetables...
I've been busy with year-end planting and picking fresh apples--love this time of year! It's great to enjoy the changing leaves and crisp air. Here in Indiana, there's nothing like a beautiful fall to usher in the coming winter. Let us hear from you, with comments or questions via the sites listed below, and I'll look forward to keeping in touch, To your success, Alice Bryan CFP® |
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How To...
Stop the leaking! It's not just the large purchases that can trip us up. It's that slow and steady drip, drip, drip that can erode your future plans just as quietly. Here are some ideas to help you stretch your dollars to the max and keep more money in your future:1. Watch out for shipping costs via the Internet. Use the Internet to comparison shop, then pick up the item locally. 2. If you see something you want in a catalog, wait a week before you order, to see if you really need it. 3. Use the public library to check out movies or books for free. 4. Consider dropping your land line at home. I did this a year ago, and haven't missed that extra bill. 5. When traveling, look online befodre you go for coupons and cost-saving ideas. Once you've arrived, ask the locals for low-cost favorites. 6. Try a vacation at home. See and do the things you've always meant to do and save on hotel costs. 7. Compare rates for calbe and satellite. Only sign up for the channels you know you'll watch. 8. Send ecards and save on postage. 9. Consider buying a certified preowned car instead of a new one. 10. Cut back trips to Starbucks or other premium coffee shops. I'll have more next time, so stay tuned! 3 Money Pitfalls
You're smart. You're doing pretty well. So why might you still be worried? Let's start with some top hazards to avoid along the way: 1. It's not going to do you much good to build up wealth if you let it slip through your fingers. It's not the fun stuff when you think about money, but it's the most important, if you or you family face any catastrophes along the way. And yes, I mean life insurance. If you died tomorrow, would your loved ones have money to pay some of the biggest expenses, like college or the mortgage balance? Would they be able to stay in your house and still pay the bills? That's the value of insurance--providing shelter and an income streamto help ensure your goals are reached. And remember to start with the amount of coverage you need first, which may likely be term insurance. Worry about any cash value policies after you've covered your bases. Most folks I meet with, have too little insurance, and the wrong type. For more information, check out our SAFE toolkit: http://yourfinancialwatchdog.com/tools/safe_toolkit.php which will walk your through the process at your convenience. Another possible wealth destroyer is the rising cost of medical care in your later years. One report says that 43% of people age 65 are expected to spend some time in a nursing home. And these policies can help keep you or a family member IN your home longer with home health care as well. Fortunately, my mother was financially able to choose her health care and self-insure. But if that's a possible problem, check out that SAFE toolkit I mentioned earlier. Lastly, consider how you're protecting your home and personal property. When was the last time you had your homeowner's insurance reviewed? What about an accident on your property? Do you have umbrella insurance? If you want an objective second opinion, find an agent who represents several companies and has been in the business for several years. Don't choose by price alone, as cheaper may work for clothing sales, but be careful when it comes to protecting your home and family from some costly risks. The benefit to you will be the peace of mind to help you sleep at night, knowing there's a strong safety net in place for you and your family. And less stress in your life is one of the best investments you can make! |
Did You Know? 60...Percentage of retirees retired earlier than they had planned 26... Percentage of parents with children age five and older who feel well prepared to teach their children basic personal finances 60... Percentage of Americans with employer-based health insurance that reported increased costs 81... Percentage that say rising health care costs have prompted them to take better care of themselves 48... Percentage of Americans that used a large gift of money from living relatives and used the money for a home down payment; 14% to buy a car and 11% toward college education |
http://www.yourfinancialwatchdog.com OR http://www.yourfinancialwatchdogblog.com |