“I’m actually going to do it this year”.
Ever heard that phrase?
But, this could be the year that you actually start to make a financial difference.
Kudos to Brother Ford.
This year (2009) my big brother (who has always been my big brother, if you know what I mean) decided he wanted to get in shape. Actually, his wife made the decision and he followed along. Well this year big bro and his wife made some AWSOME changes in their eating habits and exercise habits. They both lost a crazy amounts of weight and some eleven months and a half months later are going strong.
There are also a huge number of people that made some drastic financial progress in 2009. For some inspiration see Debt Free in One Year: A True Story.
Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques (4th Edition) introduces five essential attributes to good goals.
Goals should be specific
Goals should be stated positively
Goals should be simple
Goals should be important to the client
Goals should be realistic
This year I encourage you to review your current situation and ask if you’re on track of if you need to be making an adjustments or alterations. Later in the week I’m going to introduce you to some of my 2010 goals.
Today I’m going to introduce you to several key topics you need to address, but if you need a little more big picture help I suggest you consider checking your self against Dave Ramsey’s Seven Baby Steps. You can see the seven baby steps at the bottom of my post on Dave Ramsey: An Introduction For Newcomers.
Parts of Your Financial Plan that You Need to Review
Banking
10 Reasons to Change Banks – be sure to check out www.bankrate.com to see if you’re bank is offering a competitive interest rate.
I’ve banked with ING Direct since 1994. I’ve written about my experiences with both the ING Direct Savings and ING Direct checking account.
Budgeting
Are your budget category percentages appropriate according to your income?
Are you falling prey to common budgeting downfalls? See Ten Budget Busters
Credit Cards
Credit cards do cost more than cash but credit cards are more convenient? Can you afford the convenience of credit? Make sure you have credit card guidelines.
Do you have credit card deadlines?
Debt
Are you upside down in debt?
Commit to Increasing Financial knowledge
Read one of the top 88 personal finance books or one of the Top 10 Christian Personal Finance Books.
My suggestions:
In debt?
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness and/or Debt Free Living
Interested in Investing:
The Sound Mind Investing Handbook – A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed and/or Sound Mind Investing Newsletter
Overall View of Money
Giving
Have you considered the graduated tithe?
Are you giving as you have been blessed?
Establish a firm financial foundation
What are your faith foundations for finances? Here are some of MH4C’s Faith Foundations.
Help put all the piece together by looking at the Money Tree.
Retirement/Savings/College
Here are Five Things Everyone Should Know About Investing in Mutual Funds.
Here’s why I fired my investment advisor.
Is it biblical to save for retirement Part I and Part II.
Insurance
Life Insurance: How Much Do You Need?
General
28 Tips for Organizing Your Finances
What is the Cheapest Way to Exchange Foreign Currency?
Four Money Saving Do-it-Yourself Jobs
Photo by Mat Honan.
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