The temperatures have started dropping, the leaves are turning, and Halloween is just around the corner. We thought we could share some financial planning 'Tricks and Treats' from us to you.
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Trick - Set Goals
And write them down. They can be big or small … personal or professional … Debt? How about setting a goal to reduce it – give yourself a number and a date. Savings? Same thing … write down a number and a date.
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Trick - Make Goals Bite-Size
Make them both achievable … because the Treat comes when you achieve – nothing beats the satisfaction and pride from accomplishment … and sets up the next goal!
Long-term goals are great but the farther away a goal seems, the more likely we are to give up. So, as well as your big goals, also set smaller, short-term goals.
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Trick - Make Savings Automatic
If you wait until you have “extra”, you will be waiting a long time! The trick is to “pay yourself first”. Get some money set aside BEFORE you budget for the rest. Start small and build!
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Direct Deposit is (Almost) Magic
Why? Because if the money you allot toward savings never lands in your checking account, you probably won't miss it—and may even be pleasantly surprised by how much your account grows over time.
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Treat - Take the Match!
For those lucky enough to have a plan through work, take advantage! If there is a match available, take it – group plans contribute before tax … bonus!
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Treat - When You Get a Raise, Raise Your Retirement Savings, Too
Every time you get a raise in pay, up your automatic transfer to savings and increase your retirement contributions. A win for today and tomorrow!
Let October bring more than candy and Fall colours, let this be the month that you start tricking and treating to a healthy financial plan. Call us – we can help!
Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus
