Month: December 2019

  • 6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    Six out of ten American’s will make some type of financial-based new year’s resolution for 2020.  Usually, there’s a triggering event like receiving your December 2020 credit card bill or spousal pressure to name two.  Follow these tips;

    1. Consolidate Financial accounts: Close 1 or 2 existing financial accounts that you are not tracking or have insignificant monies in.  This will save brain space, reduce statement clutter and avoid paying unnecessary fees.
    2. Increase your 401k/employer retirement contributions: Raise your contributions at least another 1% per year minimum.  You won’t feel the difference however over time it can make a major impact when entering retirement.
    3. Develop a budget and/or expense statement: Review credit card, bank, and checkbook statements to get a handle on inflow and outflow of money.  Start using a program like quick books or if old school draft a budget by hand and hang it up where you can see it.  This can cause heavy emotional denial however better now than later.
    4. Set up a system to save systematic money:  Either something informal like putting the $20 you are saving in gas on fill-ups in a jar.  Formal ideas like buying a cash value life insurance policy or setting up an EFT through your bank account.
    5. Protecting your health saves your wealth: We all know about the escalating cost of health insurance and health care in general.  Renew that gym membership, yoga studio or dust off that treadmill in the garage. 
    6. Bring balance to your life: Take that vacation you have been putting off.  The rest and rejuvenation will impact your health.  Statistics show that one who works 46 weeks/year will out produce a 52 week/year worker.

    It will give you something to look forward to and forces one to be very productive before leaving and when returning home.  Use frequent flyer miles if need be.

    You will be amazed by how much better you will feel by following these 6 easy steps!

  • The 4 Hottest Tech Gifts of 2019

    The holidays are here, which means the shopping season is in full swing. Some of this year’s most popular wish list items are digital devices that entertain and make life easier.  Check out the highest-rated Family gifts and gadgets

    1. iPhone 11: Apple’s newest series of iPhones, the iPhone 11, 11Pro and !!Pro Max was released two months ago and reviews remain the same – the device is the best value for your money. If you’re looking to upgrade from a previous model, the iPhone 11 is the best deal available on the market with its latest processor, OLED.   The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max come with three camera lenses: wide, ultra-wide and telephoto.
    2. Amazon Fire TV Stick: With the rise of streaming services, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick provides an array of video applications, from YouTube to Netflix. Watch your favorite viral videos, listen to a podcast or binge that show you’ve been meaning to watch. At just $39.99, it is one of the least-expensive streamers you can buy. The device also comes with voice commands, allowing Amazon Echo/Echo Dot owners to control it with Alexa.
    3. The Kindle Paperwhite: The release of the latest Kindle model unveiled some exciting upgrades to the highly acclaimed device. The newest change is water resistance, which allows the device to spend up to one hour in up to six feet of water. Other useful features include adjustable light for clear reading indoors and outdoors, additional storage space (8 or 32GB) and new Blue tooth listening. Even with all the upgrades, the price barely rose, making the Paperwhite a good value purchase.
    4. Tile Essentials: Do you or someone you know have a problem with losing things all the time? The 2020 Tile has some new options to make it easier to keep track of your belongings. The Essentials pack includes the Slim, Mate and two Stickers, a variety that’s a perfect fit for any family. If you haven’t heard of Tile, the devices are registered to you through an app so you can easily locate your Tile. If it’s nearby, the Tile will sound an alarm for you to find. You can find the nee 2020 Tile Essentials on Amazon.