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Financial, Health and Fitness

Empowering Financial Resolutions for 2024

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Charting a Path to Prosperity

In 2024, as we embark on a new year, it presents the perfect opportunity to transform your financial resolutions from mere aspirations into empowering steps toward achieving your dreams. The journey to financial fitness is not solely about numbers; it is about crafting a life filled with accomplishment, peace of mind, and long-term security.

You can make this year your most prosperous by setting clear goals, creating a comprehensive budget, exploring investment opportunities, and continuously educating yourself about personal finance. So, let’s embrace this exciting journey together and make every decision count for a brighter financial future! 
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Resolution 1: Forge Your Financial Blueprint

Imagine a future where your finances support your day-to-day needs and fuel your wildest dreams and aspirations. It all starts by meticulously constructing a well-thought-out budget that aligns perfectly with your unique life goals, ensuring that every dollar is allocated purposefully and strategically.

In this financial utopia, you embrace the powerful philosophy of “paying yourself first” – a mindset that compels you to prioritize saving and investing, allowing your wealth to grow steadily over time. By consistently setting aside a portion of your income, you are actively building a solid foundation for long-term financial success.

To gauge your progress and stay on track, it is essential to calculate your net worth annually. This comprehensive evaluation provides:

  • A holistic view of your financial health.
  • Giving you insights into your assets and liabilities.
  • Overall progress toward achieving your financial goals.

Strategic planning becomes your secret weapon when confronted with significant expenses or future financial milestones. You can confidently navigate these milestones without derailing your economic well-being by proactively saving and investing in ways that align with your specific time horizons.

Safeguarding your living-expense money becomes paramount for those approaching retirement or already in their golden years. By adopting a conservative investment approach, you can protect your hard-earned savings while still generating a steady income to support your desired lifestyle during retirement.

Life is unpredictable, and that’s where the importance of an emergency fund becomes evident. Creating a safety net for life’s unexpected twists and turns offers you peace of mind and financial security, allowing you to weather any storm that comes your way without compromising your long-term financial goals.

So, picture this future where your finances are not just a means to an end but a powerful tool that propels you toward the life you’ve always envisioned. Start today by constructing a budget, embracing the philosophy of “paying yourself first,” calculating your net worth, planning for future expenses, safeguarding your retirement, and creating an emergency fund. With these proactive steps, you can transform your financial journey and make your dreams a reality.
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Resolution 2: Master Your Debt

Debt can be a powerful financial tool if used wisely and managed effectively. By carefully working your debt load, you can ensure that life’s pleasures and necessities remain within reach without overwhelming yourself. One effective strategy is eliminating high-cost, non-deductible consumer debt, allowing you to allocate your resources more efficiently. Another approach is to align your repayment terms with your life’s timeline, enabling you to balance your financial obligations with your long-term goals.

Additionally, it is worth considering the benefits of refinancing or consolidating debt, which can help optimize your repayment strategy and potentially reduce the overall cost of debt. By taking these proactive steps, you can leverage the potential of debt while maintaining a healthy financial outlook.
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Resolution 3: Cultivate Your Investment Garden

Ensure the prosperity of your investments by prioritizing a well-rounded and diversified portfolio. By diversifying across various asset classes and within them, you can effectively minimize risk while maximizing your growth potential.

Additionally, it is essential to remember the impact of taxes when allocating your assets. To maintain alignment with your goals and adapt to life changes, make it a habit to monitor and rebalance your portfolio regularly. This diligent approach will help you navigate the ever-changing investment landscape with confidence.
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Resolution 4: Safeguard Against the Unknown

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but being prepared can make all the difference. Take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones by investing in comprehensive insurance plans covering various life aspects. Consider health insurance for medical expenses, life insurance for financial security, disability insurance for income protection, property insurance for safeguarding your assets, and liability insurance for unforeseen circumstances.

Additionally, don’t overlook the significance of long-term care insurance to ensure you have the necessary support in your golden years. Lastly, create a well-thought-out disaster plan to safeguard your assets and provide peace of mind. Taking these precautions allows you to navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence and security.
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Resolution 5: Preserve Your Legacy

An estate plan is not just a legal document; it’s your heartfelt love letter to the future. It ensures that your hard-earned assets and beloved dependents are taken care of exactly as you desire. To maintain the effectiveness of your estate plan, it is crucial to review and update beneficiary designations and your will regularly.

Additionally, coordinating asset titling with your estate plan can help streamline the distribution process. In more complex situations, establishing trust may be warranted to provide added protection and flexibility. Lastly, it is crucial to ensure that your estate documents are easily accessible to trusted individuals who can carry out your wishes with confidence and care.

In 2024, seize the opportunity to build a brighter financial future. This year is not just a simple milestone; it’s a chance to embark on a transformative journey toward abundance and peace of mind. Embrace these resolutions as your stepping stones, each one paving the way to a life filled with financial prosperity and the realization of your dreams.

Remember, taking them one at a time will allow you to witness the remarkable transformation of your financial health, bringing you closer than ever to the life you’ve always envisioned.

Health and Fitness, Internal, Lifestyles

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET: THE POWER OF VISUALIZATION

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Imagination is underrated.

We live in a world of dollars and cents, ones and zeros, and cold, hard facts. Dreams and hopes are great, but results will always be our number one priority.

But what if your imagination mattered?

What if your mind’s eye actually held the key to success? There’s strong evidence that actually visualizing certain outcomes can reduce stress and empower you to achieve your goals and dreams. It might sound like voodoo, but it’s actually not! Here’s how it works.

Mind and Muscle
Your brain is connected to your body. Your brain registers things that happen to your arms and legs and ears and lets you know if they’re good or bad. A soft blanket? Good! Stubbing your toe? Bad!

But the connection between your brain and body goes both ways. Imagining an action in your mind can actually improve your performance in real life. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence for this; legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Muhammad Ali were big believers in imagining specific outcomes.(1&2) But there’s also research to back it up. People who imagined exercising certain muscles gained almost as much strength as people who physically exercised!(3)

Visualization can also reduce stress. Studies have found that novice surgeons and police officers who receive imagery training feel less stress and have less objective stress.(4)

Some visualization tips
Imagining yourself on a generic island paradise in 15 years is just daydreaming. The key to effective visualization is specificity. Be as precise as possible. Break down how you’ll achieve your goal or throw that game-winning pass into as many tiny movements as possible, and imagine how you’ll execute each one. Incorporate your senses; what will you smell and hear when you finally achieve that goal?

Verbal affirmations can also help with this visualization process. Take a page from Muhammad Ali, and tell yourself that you’re the greatest every morning before you get breakfast! Even better, say your goal out loud before you go to bed or eat lunch. Writing up a mission statement that you read daily or making a vision board of images that inspire you are also ways to boost your visualization!

Just remember that one of the key strengths of visualization is that you can do it anywhere. Develop your goals, make them as specific as possible, and then start imagining!

 

(1) https://www.forbes.com/sites/lidijaglobokar/2020/03/05/the-power-of-visualization-and-how-to-use-it/#12e463d66497

(2) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/flourish/200912/seeing-is-believing-the-power-visualization

(3) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/flourish/200912/seeing-is-believing-the-power-visualization

(4) https://www.forbes.com/sites/lidijaglobokar/2020/03/05/the-power-of-visualization-and-how-to-use-it/#12e463d66497

Financial, Health and Fitness

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: 2024 Tax Filing Season is Coming

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Was this you last year? Or the year before that? Regardless of when you actually file your return, we’ve long recommend preparing for tax season throughout the year to try and relieve some of the stress (see our post from 😮 almost 10 years ago below 🔽).

Here are 15 updated tips to get you prepped for tax season and to keep more money in your pocket. We’ve tried to arrange them in order for those Gen Zers who we still can’t believe are even old enough to be filing taxes. Guess that free trial ended – sorry y’all! And we know 15 is a long list but get used to it because you’re adulting now.

  1. Reduce taxable income by saving for retirement through an employer-sponsored plan.
    As soon as you’re eligible (it varies from job to job), start making contributions to your retirement plan through your employer. YES, we mean you Gen Z kid that just started your first job out of high school or college. Even though retirement seems a lifetime away, it’s not only cheaper to start doing it now (you can get away with stashing $100/month and still potentially retire a millionaire) but you also end up having less federal income tax taken out of your check because you’re saving for retirement. Oh and there’s another benefit…
  1. Get paid to save for retirement with the Saver’s Credit based on contributions up to $2000.
    Yes, you read that right! The IRS will actually credit you up to $1000 ($2000 if married filing jointly) if you’re saving for retirement.
    Here’s how it works: be 18 or older, not a dependent and not a student. Save up to $2000 for retirement through your employer or your IRA (that’s an Individual Retirement Account) and based on your adjusted gross income (AGI) you could qualify for the max credit of $1000 or 50% of what you saved. You won’t see $1000 in the form of a refund but it will be subtracted from whatever your tax bill is. Don’t know what your AGI is or even where to find it? That’s something we need to talk about!
  2. Take advantage of education credits.
    Did you go back to school and eliminate yourself from being able to qualify for the Saver’s Credit we just mentioned? Don’t worry because there are education credits that you may be eligible for, namely, the American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 or the Lifetime Learning Credit that goes up to $2,000. The qualifications are different for each credit but regardless make sure to keep track of your expenses like tuition, enrollment fees, course-related books, supplies and equipment as both are based on how much you spent on these items.
  3. Claim tax benefits for qualifying relatives.
    Most people are aware that they can claim their children on their taxes. But did you know that if you are the primary provider for a parent or grandchild, you may qualify for additional tax benefits. It’s worth checking with your tax professional for the specifics on credits like the Child and Dependent Care Credit, so start adding up those expenses.
  1. Reduce out of pocket childcare costs if your employer offers dependent care benefits.
    If you have a tax deduction, oh um a child, and your employer offers you dependent care benefits, make sure you’re using them. This allows you to pay for daycare and extended day services at school with pre-tax dollars.
  2. Plan ahead for college expenses by saving with a 529 plan.
    Concerned about paying for those children to go to college? Start saving now. This isn’t a tax deduction for your current return but the earnings made in the plan are exempt from income tax as long as those little buggers go to college and the money is used for those expenses. In some cases you can even use up to $10,000 a year without being taxed to send them to a private K-12 school. The plans vary from state to state so it’s best to check and see what’s available where you live. Not 100% sure that child is going to go to college? Ask your financial pro about UTMA/UGMAs.
  3. Maximize HSA contribution to decrease taxable income.
    Similar to the dependent care FSA mentioned in Part 1, health savings account contributions decrease the amount of taxes you pay in the year you make contributions. The trick is that HSAs aren’t available to everyone as they are meant for people with high deductible health insurance plans. However if you do have access to one, not only can you stash money pre-tax to cover your medical expenses like eyeglasses, prescriptions and doctor visits, but the account can earn interest and rolls over from year to year and from employer to employer.
    If you don’t qualify for an HSA perhaps your employer provides access to a Medical FSA. You can elect how much to contribute from your pre-tax income and use the funds on medical expenses. Here’s where this account gets tricky. The funds are a use-it or lose-it deal so you need to be really good at estimating how much you’re going to spend in a calendar year or risk losing some cash.
  4. Put your tax refund to work by paying off high interest debt, creating an emergency fund, or saving for retirement.
    We see it year after year, a surge in used car sales and electronics purchases. But thankfully in this recent survey, most U.S. adults were planning to save their tax refund. The trick is to not save it in a low interest rate savings account like Clark below is doing. Thankfully it’s easier to find a higher interest rate savings account due to the Fed’s rate hikes this past year. Just make sure you’re taking advantage of it.
  1. Start saving for a down payment on a house.
    Maybe you’ve already paid down your debt with past refunds, have an emergency fund and are a regular retirement saver. Is it your dream to own a home? Then apply your refund to that savings bucket. True the mortgage interest rates are starting to go down but that doesn’t mean you need to have less saved. Check out this post about the importance of the home price and the mortgage rate.
  2. Take advantage of catch up retirement contributions if you’re 50+.
    Didn’t start saving for retirement with that first job? While you might be behind in your savings you don’t have to stay that way. The limits on contributions range from $1000 to $3,500 higher if you’re 50 or older, depending on the account type. So find a way to minimize other expenses or stack up some cash gifts right now so you can max out your contributions. Remember that you have until the filing deadline to make contributions for 2023.
  3. Consider the tax consequences before taking money out of your retirement account.
    This one might not seem like something you need to be concerned about if you’ve already past retirement age. You might be thinking that since you’re past that 10% penalty age period it’s time to withdraw like crazy. Not so fast! If that money is coming out of a 401(k) or some other tax-deferred account the IRS wants their share now. And if you’re on Social Security pulling too much out in a year could also make your Social Security payments taxable. So make sure to have a chat with either your tax or financial professional before taking that money out.
  4. Know which tax bracket you’re in.
    As a follow up to the last step, keep track of which tax bracket you’re in. That can help you estimate how much tax will need to be withheld for any distributions from your retirement account regardless of if you’re past the point of the 10% penalty or not. Also it helps you more accurately estimate what tax may be due on additional funds you earn throughout the year from nontraditional employment or other sources.
  5. Make estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties.
    Did you take our advice from our Divorce Your Job series or our posts on starting your own side hustle? Yes, we even mean you Uber drivers and Instacart shoppers. Well watch out for an increased tax liability since you’re now considered a business owner in the eyes of the IRS even though you may only think of it as a side gig. Make estimated tax payments throughout the year to avoid wasting money on penalties.
cartoon about taxes
  1. Document your business expenses to lower tax liability including up to 100% of health insurance costs.
    And we don’t mean document like in the comic above. Need tips on how to keep track of all of your business expenses? While Quicken is a software we’ve used in the past and Quickbooks is always a great go-to, maybe you’re not ready to learn a new program.
    Join us on February 1st at 8:00 PM ET for our FREE, live Entrepreneurship class and ask about other tracking options.
  2. Subcontract and deduct non-core administrative expenses.
    Getting bogged down with administrative tasks instead of focusing on the key activities of your business? Hire somebody else to do it for you and deduct the cost from your taxes. You don’t have to file any tax paperwork until you reach $600 paid for services. The form that you’d end up filing is the 1099-NEC. Looking for a virtual assistant to handle calendar management, social media and other admin tasks for you? We’ll share a tip for that during the live class in February so make sure to mark your calendar or you can talk to us via our social media if you need the deets sooner.
Financial

Start the Year Right: 4 Tips for Financial Wellness in 2024

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As one year transitions into another, we always see a sudden rush to get or start getting your financial house in order. A lot of bulleted or numbered lists come out of things to do without necessarily explaining why you need to do it. Maybe the assumption is that you already know which begs the question if you did know, wouldn’t your finances already be in order?

The reality is that many people who live in the US are not financially literate or put another way they don’t fully understand the language of money. That lack of understanding is what leads to having a financial mess on your hands. Let’s be clear though – IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT!

Nowhere in the education system of this country is financial literacy CONSISTENTLY taught. As a former public school educator that had a previous career in finance Ms. ME found it particularly amusing that sometimes the courses that were offered were taught by individuals who lacked financial know-how themselves. This glaring absence of competent & consistent education leads to almost half of the population not knowing things that are key to keeping your bank accounts and overall finances in the black.

howmoneyworks.com/marieedwards/challenge

Think we’re kidding? Take the quiz on the website above and then post your score in the comments below if you’re brave. Are you financially literate?

If you get a score that you feel is too low to post, here’s how you change it. Register for this free course happening January 4th at 8 PM EST and increase your financial literacy in record time!

Well regardless of what score you get we’re going to give you our bulleted list and the reasons for each. But at the end of the day it’s on you to take the actions we suggest or risk another year in the same financial state or a worse one.

steps leading to financial wellness

4 Steps to Financial Wellness

1 – Know your current situation

Does your doctor diagnose you without first giving you an examination? Of course not! The same goes for the financial pro you work with; they can’t give you a prescription for financial wellness without knowing where you are right now. To do that, YOU have to take an honest look at where you are right now. How much do you earn in a month? How much does it cost for you (and your family) to exist from month to month? Where is your money currently going? Knowing those things are key to either taking the next steps yourself or working with your financial pro on the next steps.

2 – Eliminate the unnecessary

This one is often difficult because here in the US advertising has convinced so many that they need everything they see to be happy. You really have to step back and determine what actually is a need versus a want. Does that mean you can’t have any wants? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But sometimes you end up wanting something to, as that old saying goes, keep up with the Joneses instead of satisfying some intrinsic desire. Buying things to impress people you don’t like or who don’t contribute positively to your life should not be something you continue to do. So cut it out!

Then start looking at other ways you might be spending more than you have to like on overpriced bill that you haven’t price-shopped in a while like internet or insurance. Or perhaps you have some of the habits below that you’d like to adjust or eliminate entirely.

3 – Set some goals

We all want things but often don’t think about those wants any further out than one to three years. That short-term thinking does not add up to financial wellness. It’s great to have short-term goals but make sure they are realistic. If you have no savings, buying a home is more of a mid or long term goal, not a short-term one. So after completing the first two steps, write out what you want and then put some timeframes beside them. Here’s a guide to help group those wants:

4 – Make a plan

    The last step is to make a plan to reach those goals. Making the plan ranges in complexity based on how many goals you have. But the even harder part for many is following the plan. If you need help with this or any of the previous steps, don’t forget to come to the FREE live class on January 4, 2024 at 8 PM ET. We’ll be sharing a free tool to help with one or more of the steps and introducing our community to find help when you need it.

    Health and Fitness, Physical

    A little snack until later

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    Until I get to the point in this journey of finally claiming my life and wellness so as to determine a more healthy content posting schedule, thought I’d share this post that I’m finding helpful. Lord knows I need healthy snacks as potato chips are toxic to me nowadays (tasty but oh so toxic 😢)

    Healthy Snacks You Need Today!