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403(B) Plans Wave of Future for Many Workers
"Millions of new teachers and health-care workers expected to be hired in the coming decade will need to become familiar with a retirement plan they may know little about: the 403(b), commonly called a tax-sheltered annuity.
403(b) plans are...
Financial Planning Software - Retirement Calculations
Plan your Retirement in as easy as 1 - 2 - 3 Using Financial
Planning Software
Rather than spend your hard earned money hiring a financial
planner or consulting with one, there are actually countless
software programs that would help you in...
How Creditors Measure Your Credit Rating
Creditors will measure your credit rating based on the following three main things.
Capacity
Collateral
Character
The three "C's" show creditors your:
"Capacity" or income to pay the debt
"Collateral" or assets...
Investor Guide to Financial Health
Step 1: Spend less than you earn Perhaps the simplest financial concept is the toughest for us to conquer- spend less than you earn. After paying your living expenses (bills, loan and mortgage payments, cost of food, charitable contributions, taxes,...
VIX and the Psychology of Markets
VIX and the Psychology of Markets
We know that greed and fear rule the markets. But did you know
that when investors gets too greedy, markets usually fall, and
when investors are overcome with fear, markets usually rise. So
how can when we...
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Setting Financial Goals - Part 2
In my earlier article “Setting Financial Goals – Part 1” I identified the 4 simple steps to setting up achievable financial goals. I mentioned that your financial goals should be broken down into smaller more manageable goals and then written down to help you visualize them. This article expands upon that information.
Writing your goals down has an additional effect besides allowing you to properly focus in on their success. In some cases you will discover that some of your goals are unfortunately so broad focused that they are unobtainable. However, don’t despair, as you will also be able to identify the smaller more tightly focused and thus achievable goals very quickly and easily. When writing down your goals don’t be afraid to dream about riches or retiring early in life just be realistic in your expectations.
Goals are more easily obtainable when they are broken down into separate steps or categories based on time frames. When you place a time frame on your goals you are programming your mind to subconsciously motivate itself to succeed in fulfilling your goals. There are 3 time frames that are generally recommended for goal setting. They are short-term goals (within 1 year), intermediate goals (3-5 years) and long term goals (5 years or longer).
A short-term goal generally takes one year or less to achieve, based on the date the task is needed, the total estimated cost, and the required savings. An intermediate-term goal is the type of goal that can't be accomplished overnight but doesn’t require many years to accomplish. Examples might include buying a car, getting an education or paying off your debts like credit cards. Normally an intermediate-goal is anywhere from 1-3 years. Finally a long-term goal is a goal that requires an extensive time commitment (5 years or
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longer) in order to get accomplished or fulfilled. Examples of long-term goals might include college education for a child, retirement plan or purchasing a home. Whatever the case, these goals generally require longer commitments and often more money in the end.
As we stated before you will need to accurately identify what your financial goals are in order to have them come true. You will need to identify the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to achieve your goals. Examples of such steps include the following:
·Start placing 5% or 10% of your paycheck in a savings account.
·Educate yourself on different investment strategies such as IRA’s, stocks, mutual funds and various other personal investments. There are many more and all can assist you in short and long term goals.
·Make a budget for yourself that leaves you with some extra money (remember the 5% or 10%) and stick to it.
·Take every opportunity to use coupons. It seems like small savings, but when added together you could save 20-30 dollars at each trip to the grocery store.
·Shop around for bargains and do not live outside of your means.
·Work with a credit counselor to get help in lowering your monthly expenses and get rid of your debt.
These are just some of the things that you can do in order to realize your financial goals. If you truly set your mind to it and visualize the successful completion of your goals you will find that they are more attainable in the long run.
About the Author
Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance that you can research in your pajamas on his website
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