Bill Cosby Talks Budgeting – Cosby Show Clip
Our Director of Education, Todd Christensen, came across this clip of “The Cosby Show” which shows Dr. Huxtable discussing budgeting with his son Theo.
Click the Link Below to View on YouTube: Continue reading “Bill Cosby Talks Budgeting – Cosby Show Clip” »
Free Financial Forums Scheduled at Tulsa Library
Here is an announcement I wanted to share with our Tulsa clients and community members. This is a repost of an article posted by the Tulsa Business Staff highlighting the free forums available. I encourage anyone in the area in need of financial advice and knowledge to participate, especially in these trying economic times. Continue reading “Free Financial Forums Scheduled at Tulsa Library” »
Gambling with Your Financial Future and Losing
Lottery and our Financial Future
We saw an interesting poll from Bankrate.com that asked how people envision themselves getting financially ahead, particularly in a difficult economy.
Not surprisingly, “Saving and Investing” was the number one answer, at 36%, followed by “Additional Education or Job Training” at 23%. Running your own business (which is actually the most common profession of millionaires in this country) was fifth at just 6%. Continue reading “Gambling with Your Financial Future and Losing” »
Looking Ahead…Way Ahead
Planning Your Long-Term Financial Needs
According to results of a Charles Schwab survey, released June 4, 2009, nearly 40% of Americans are not savings for retirement and over 60% have not adjusted their retirement needs or investment strategy in the current downturn. Continue reading “Looking Ahead…Way Ahead” »
Your Weekly Financial Review
How often are you looking at your personal finances and your budget? Each month? Every two weeks? Do you know how much money you have to spend this week? What’s in your budget for your next trip to the grocery store?
Financial stability and long-term financial success essentially require that you establish a monthly spending plan and that every week you look at it, adjust it, and ensure you’re living by it. Continue reading “Your Weekly Financial Review” »
Combating Poor Spending Behaviors | Impulse Spending
We ALL face challenges when it comes to our spending behaviors. In this country, there is a seemingly endless list of “things” that sound fun, interesting, or enjoyable, or that fit the “got-to-have-it-now” mold.
We typically lump these items into the Impulse expenditures. They might come in the form of large purchases like cars, ATVs and vacations, or they can be more mundane things we spend money on, like clothing, restaurant meals, toys for the kids, or even a new cell phone. Continue reading “Combating Poor Spending Behaviors | Impulse Spending” »
Winter Blues? Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now!
This morning on the way to work, I noticed the skies were darker than usual and the air had a bit more of a bite to it.
Everything had that gloomy winter tinge and it occurred to me that all of the fun the Holidays brought have now come screeching to a halt.
No more turkeys in the oven or jolly St. Nicks at the Mall, gone are the candy canes and gift exchanges. Yep, this is the part of winter I have come to dread.
I started imaging a blissful Summer vacation, somewhere in a warm paradise, miles away from anywhere and far away from my dreary morning commute.
I have ideas on where I want to go and what I would like to do. I just haven’t really planned for it yet.
What a better way to beat the winter blues?
Take this time to prepare and save for your vacation. Not only will you be ahead of the game financially, you will also find ways to squeeze in as much as possible into your trip. Continue reading “Winter Blues? Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now!” »
Motivated Savings
Happy New Year to all of our clients and friends! Have you, as many people do, considered changing or creating some personal habits this year? Hopefully the development and implementation of an improved savings strategy is among your resolutions. To encourage you to save money and live debt-free, we suggest the following steps that can motivate you to build your savings in the coming year.
Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method
If you’re like a lot of people, the thought of writing each expenditure down or filling out a complex budget planner seems overwhelming and something akin to water boarding. If you are one of those people that hate writing down and tracking your spending, these tips are for you: Continue reading “Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method” »
Holiday Shopping Tips
Saving for the Holidays
The Holidays are a time for family gatherings, gift buying, and great food, which are all great in moderation. Fitness clubs have the highest memberships in the month of January, and credit card companies love the purchases made on their cards during the holidays. This year, enjoy knowing that you have the tools necessary to pay cash for Christmas gifts, food, and travel. Here are a few tips to budgeting a “cash only” Holiday Season.
- Begin saving now for Christmas shopping and Holiday activities. Starting in July would be ideal, but now is better than later.
- Create a list of people you would like to give gifts to and assign each person a dollar amount.