Tag Archives: Financial Advice

9 Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Own Financial Stability

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As human beings, our brains contain psychological barriers that can stand between making smart financial decisions and poor ones. The good news is that once you realize your own mental weaknesses, it’s not impossible to overcome them. Here are nine of the biggest barriers…and some good strategies for fighting them:

Scenario 1: You’re about to buy an engagement ring so you do some research on prices. Most people say three months’ salary is the general budget, so you freak out and request a credit line increase.

What’s really going on: Anchoring.

Anchoring happens when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered when making decisions. After encountering the “three month” rule, you find it hard to make a logical decision based your own financial reality or your relationship. You may not have three months’ worth of salary to splurge on a diamond, but you decide to spend within that range because you are anchored to that idea.

Scenario 2: You’re 27 years old, in excellent health and just got promoted. You’re so high on life that you can’t fathom a time when you’ll no longer be young, fit, and financially stable.

What’s really happening: Myopia.

Because you are unable to picture yourself in old age, bad health, or cash-strapped, you’re less likely to save for unexpected events or your retirement. Myopia can be blamed for many depleted retirement savings accounts in the U.S. “Seduced by temporal myopia in their younger years, many people get around to saving seriously for their retirement far too late in their career, in their forties and fifties in many cases, which greatly reduces the amount of money they will have available for their retirement,” says Shlomo Benartzi, a behavioral finance economist and author of “Save More Tomorrow.”

If you’re lacking motivation, try this handy experiment: Use Merrill Edge’s Face Retirement generator, which will take a photo of you as you are today and generate an image of what you’ll look like in retirement. Benartzi’s own research has shown that this kind of reminder can actually give people the jumpstart they need to start saving for retirement.

Scenario 3: You’re watching the market closely and see that a certain stock has been tanking over the last few months. You give it another month, watch it drop again and decide to sell it off before history repeats itself.

What’s really going on: Gambler’s fallacy.

When investors rely on past events to predict the future, they’re shooting themselves in the foot. If a stock is flying or floundering for a year, that doesn’t mean it will continue to do so in the next year, or even in a few months to come. The same thing happens when you buy a lotto ticket because your buddy next door just won $10,000 in a drawing. Just because he won doesn’t change the odds of you winning at all.

Keep your decision-making grounded in the real facts. Analyze your investments before making any sudden moves or following trends.

Scenario 4: It’s open enrollment season for your company’s health care plan and the list of plans is so confusing that you put it off for days until, finally, the deadline rolls around. You give up, re-enrolling in whatever plan you already have.

What’s really going on: Avoidance.

This is a form of procrastination that could really cost you. There are a lot of meaty topics in finance, most of which are about as fun to research as it is to get a root canal. But if you miss a dentist appointment, you can easily reschedule. Mess up your health care election and you could be stuck with the wrong plan for an entire year and pay dearly for it.

Another area prime for avoidance: 401(k) plans. You know you’ve got to enroll so you just skip around until a decent plan name “speaks to you.” Not only could you have signed up for a plan with high fees or the wrong allocations for your risk tolerance, but you will only wind up paying more fees when you finally realize your mistake and have to switch plans.

In addition to a wealth of helpful tools and articles online, many retirement plan providers offer free advisors who are on call to help navigate you through the elections process. If they don’t, it could be worth it to book a one-time consult with a fee-only financial advisor.

Scenario 5: A tech company you love just went public and you’re dying to buy in. You decide to do your homework, but you skirt over the negative headlines, instead clicking on posts singing the company’s praises.

What’s really going on: Confirmation bias.

Investors aren’t machines. They’ve got feelings and like any normal human being, they can’t help but selectively filter out opinions that don’t mirror their own. In doing so, they create a false sense of security that can lead to some pretty boneheaded decisions.

If you want the full picture, you’ve got to seek out information that contradicts everything you thought you knew about a company before you can hope to form a balanced opinion.

Scenario 6: The stock market has just hit rock bottom, taking half of your retirement savings down with it. Shell-shocked and devastated by the loss, you demand that your financial advisor pulls every last investment out of the market immediately.

What’s really going on: Loss aversion.

Loss aversion plagues even the most experienced investors, making them avoid potential gains because they’re too afraid to take a risk.

Anyone who ditched the stock market for fear of further losses after the 2008 crash can blame loss aversion. The average pre-retiree 401(k) balance actually doubled since the recession. People who fled the stock market and never rebalanced their portfolios only rebounded by 25%.

Loss aversion can also have the opposite effect, causing investors to cling too tightly to losing investments. Because it hurts to admit that they picked a losing investment, they focus on selling off winners and hope they’ll rebound over time. If they aren’t careful, they wind up with a portfolio full of flops.

Scenario 7: You’re a savvy investor and you know you’ve got the goods to beat the market. So you jump in and start trading like a madman, trusting your gut and your own due diligence not to lead you astray.

What’s really happening: Overconfident investing.

It takes seriously overconfident investors to kid themselves into thinking they can beat the market when even the people whose full-time job is to beat the market fail so frequently.

Terrence Odean’s oft-mentioned study, “Trading is Hazardous to Your Wealth,” isn’t just a cute bedtime story for investors looking to stroke their egos. It actually shows that frequent trading caused by overconfidence can kill your returns.

Of more than 66,000 households using a large discount broker in the mid-1990s, those who traded most often (48 or more times a year) saw annual gains of 11.4 percent, while the market saw 17.9 percent gains, Odean found.

Scenario 8: You’re still working on building up your emergency fund and you just got a birthday check for $100. Instead of adding it to your savings account, you treat yourself to a new coat or a haircut.

What’s really going on: Mental accounting.

Mental accounting takes place when we assign different values to money depending on where we get it from. If you had earned that $100 by working overtime one week, chances are you’d treat it more like regular income and save it.

Mental accounting is a big reason why we spend more money with credit cards than using hard cash. It just feels “less” like money to us and therefore it’s much easier to spend.

Instead, repeat this mantra: “Money is money, no matter how I get it.” And the next time you use your credit card, ask yourself if you’d be spending that money if you were using cash instead. If the answer is no, hold off.

Scenario 9: A housing development in your county just went belly up and you’ve heard investors are snapping up cheap plots for a steal. You’ve got no experience flipping houses but you’re not about to miss out on a hot ticket like that.

What’s really going on: Herd mentality.

You’ve spotted a hot trend and you don’t want to be the only one out there who didn’t book a seat on the bandwagon. As human beings, it can be very uncomfortable standing still while the rest of our peers head the other way looking like they’re having a ball. It’s in our nature to want to join the party.

This causes a lot of problems when it comes to investing. If you’re willing to change course every time the herd moves, you’ll end up trading a lot more frequently and seeing your returns nibbled to bits by transaction costs alone, not to mention what will happen if the herd leads you astray.

Cotton on to a trend too late and you’ll just lose out when the herd moves on to hotter territory later on and your stock plummets. It’s just a vicious cycle that will only lead to selling low and buying high. The only way to profit from a trend is to get there before anyone else and the odds aren’t in your favor.

To set up a no-cost consultation with our Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial to discuss your insurance and financial questions, call us at 732.312.1500 today!*

Article by Mandy Woodruff of Daily Finance.

*A First Financial membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Back to School Shopping Strategies to Spend Smart

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back-to-schoolSo here is the deal: it is impossible to avoid back to school shopping. The plain truth is you need to get certain supplies to make sure your child is prepared for back to school season. This can become quite expensive, as children seem to need more and more every year. But savvy spenders know that there are several tips and tricks you can follow in order to save big. You don’t have to be a shopping guru or expert in order to save, you just need to know where the deals are, and the places you can save a few pennies. Below, you will find back to school shopping strategies to spend smart and save big.

You will find that these tips are simple to follow and don’t require a great deal of know how or time. Give these tips a try and see how easy it is to shop smart and save big. Take a peek!

1. Get your child involved.

Explain to your child what the difference between wants and needs are. They won’t be able to get every single item they want and you should be able to tell them that. Before shopping, make a list with your child based on the list the school provides. Make sure your child understands what they will be getting to prepare them for school and what can wait.

2. Eliminate gimmicks.

Teachers will tell you that things like sparkly erasers, light up pencils, and other fancy items can be a distraction. They are not only a distraction, but they are more expensive than plain items. Instead, forget about these back to school gimmicks and keep things simple. It costs less.

3. Keep your supply list in the car.

While you are running your errands, you will want to keep your list on you should you run into any deals. If you don’t have your list, you could miss out on a hot deal. Keep your list in your car or in your purse so if you come across a sale or a free with rebate deal, you have your list to see if you need it or not.

4. Buy basic supplies in bulk.

You can buy basic supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks in bulk. Warehouse stores are perfect for buying these items for less and having enough to sustain you for the rest of the year. Do the math and make sure the bulk price beats the a la carte price before you shop.

5. Negotiate a group discount.

Gather the other parents at school and see if you can rally together to save. A group of parents may be able to negotiate a group discount from a local office supply store. Contact stores in your area and see if they are open to the possibility of this. Then, contact parents and get the ball rolling.

6. Stock up and set up a home store.

Buy items on sale, free with rebate, or in bulk and then gather them in a storage bin. Keep the bin in a safe place where they can be shopped during the year as they are needed. That way, you are not having to run out and buy items during the year, possibly spending more.

7. Help your school and yourself.

Ask if your school participates in a program like OneCause. If so you can shop for supplies often receiving a discount and special coupons. Plus with your purchase, your local retailer will donate a percentage to the school of your choice. It is a win/win!

See how easy it is to save money on back to school? With these back to school shopping strategies you can learn how to spend smart and save big. These tips will help you make the most of your cash and stretch your shopping dollar. Give them a try and see how quickly the savings add up for you!

*Click here to view the article source.

Don’t Eat the Marshmallow! 4 Tips for Financial Self-Control

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The “Marshmallow Theory,” based on a landmark Stanford University experiment, has been used countless times to demonstrate the power of self-control in your financial and personal life.

The experiment followed children who were left alone with a marshmallow and told that if they didn’t eat it they would get a second one 15 minutes later. Some of the kids waited the full 15 minutes, some ate the marshmallow immediately, and others waited for a short period of time before eating it.

Years later, researchers tracked down the children and found that those with the willpower to wait to eat the marshmallow — 1 in 3 of the test subjects — grew up to become more successful adults than those who ate the marshmallow immediately.

Temptation Never Goes Away

Joachim de Posada, an author, motivational speaker, and adjunct professor at the University of Miami, has gotten a lot of mileage out of the marshmallow experiment. He’s written three books based on the theory.

His latest — “Keep Your Eye on the Marshmallow” — teaches readers how to take responsibility for their own financial, career and personal success by keeping their attention focused on long-term goals rather than instant rewards.

“One of the lessons we can learn from the marshmallow experiment is that among the 1 out of 3 kids that didn’t eat the marshmallow, some already had willpower and some understood they needed to use different techniques to avoid eating it,” says de Posada. “Leadership, like willpower, can be inherited, but it can also be learned through emotional intelligence.”

While the children in the Stanford experiment resisted eating the marshmallow by turning their backs on it or distracting themselves by drawing on the walls, de Posada suggests that adults can use similar techniques (defacing property notwithstanding) to avoid the allure of instant gratification.

4 Ways to Artificially Boost Your Willpower

If you lack financial willpower (e.g., the wherewithal to save your paycheck instead of spending it right away), de Posada recommends the following workarounds to help you delay gratification:

1. Choose an accomplice. Let’s say you have a goal of saving 10 percent of your paycheck until you have enough to cover six months of living expenses to stash into an emergency fund. If you can’t do this on your own, de Posada suggests you identify someone whose willpower is stronger than yours either to keep your money for you or be the person to whom you are accountable.

“If you trust them, send them the money and tell them they can’t give it back until you’ve reached a certain goal,” says de Posada. “Or have your mother or your brother or a close friend call you every 15 days and ask you how much you saved or what you spent your money on during the previous two weeks.”

2. Have your boss hide away part of your paycheck. If you work for a larger company, de Posada says you should have at least 10 percent of your income transferred into a 401(k) or other financial instrument before you ever see it. Just like the kids who looked away from the marshmallow, your money will be out of sight and out of reach.

The Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial can assist members with saving, investing, and planning for retirement. Set up an appointment with the Financial Advisor by calling 732.312.1500 or stop into any branch and ask a representative to schedule an appointment for you.*

3. Use a money planner. “You schedule your time with your iPad or your calendar, so schedule your money in the same way,” says de Posada. “Give yourself orders that you need to follow in your planner, such as saving a specific amount each week.”

Committing these money appointments to your calendar makes them more concrete, as opposed to vague, far-off goals.

De Posada suggests establishing your financial priorities as you would other activities, with the “A” level urgent actions that must be done today, such as paying a bill on the due date; “B” level tasks that are important but can be accomplished by a future deadline, such as reducing your debt by a particular amount; and “C” level long-term goals such as funding your retirement. He recommends checking your money planner weekly rather than daily.

4. Take action now for future rewards. Overcoming a bit of discomfort in the short term often accompanies actions that pay off in the long term. Investing in the stock market requires weathering the inevitable short-term gyrations and reminding yourself that over the long term the market has steadily risen.

“You need to understand who you are and your appetite for risk, but be aware that when you’re younger you can be more aggressive in your investments,” says de Posada.

De Posada says the most important part of the marshmallow theory is to understand how you would react to the experiment.

“If you know intrinsically that you’re a marshmallow eater, then find a technique to overcome that character trait,” he says. “Recruit someone to help you or put systems in place that will force you to wait for that second marshmallow.”

Click here to view the article source.

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

When Was the Last Time You Had a Financial Checkup?

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One of the best things you can do for your finances is to periodically check your financial health. It’s always a good idea to evaluate your finances, and recognize where you are in terms of financial health — and figure out where you want to go from here.

Areas of Consideration for a Financial Checkup

As you prepare for your financial checkup, it’s a good idea to consider the following areas, and make adjustments as necessary:

  • Net Worth: It’s not a bad idea to start with your net worth. Your net worth offers a snapshot of where your finances are right at this moment. As a result, it can make a good starting point. Look at your current net worth, and compare it to your net worth from your last checkup. This can give you a general idea of what direction you are headed financially, and can give you a warning that you might need to make some changes.
  • Financial Plan: Next, review your financial plan, and your overall financial goals. Are you on track? Is your financial plan still helping you reach your goals? Or have things changed enough that you need to make tweaks to your financial plan? If you have moved off course from your financial plan, now is a good time to get back on track. Recognize what you need to do to bring your spending and saving back in line with your long-term financial goals.
  • Insurance Coverage: Review your insurance policies. Look at the coverages and the various plans that you have. It’s a good idea to consider what you need to protect your assets. Make sure you have adequate coverage. In some cases, it might make sense to drop some of your coverage, or take steps, like raising the deductible, to lower your premiums. First Financial members are eligible to save money on home and auto insurance through Liberty Mutual.*
  • Investments: Consider your investment accounts. Does your asset allocation still make sense? Has your allocation drifted away from what you want? Review the fees you are paying as well. If you have investments that are racking up the fees for you, consider switching things up. It might also make sense to consolidate your investment accounts in some cases. If you would like to set up a no-cost consultation with the Investment & Retirement Center** located at First Financial to discuss your brokerage, investments, and/or savings goals, contact them at 732.312.1500.
  • Spending and Saving Habits: Don’t forget to consider your spending and saving habits. Have you moved away from your savings goals? What about your spending? Have you stopped following your spending priorities? Re-establish your financial priorities, and make sure your spending is in line with what you prefer.

Now is also a good time to review your tax liability, and look for ways to reduce your taxes before the end of the year. Part of your financial checkup should also include a look at the deductions and credits you might be able to add in before the year ends, whether it’s buying business equipment or donating to charity.

An annual review of your financial situation is a good idea. You can catch problems — or even just see where you might have become lazy with your finances. A financial checkup can help you identify areas for improvement, and you can make a plan to boost your situation.

Here at First Financial, we encourage our members to come in at least once a year to sit down with a representative at any one of our branches to make sure you are currently placed in the correct Rewards First tier for you, and also that you are receiving the best value, products and services based on your financial situation. Give us a call or stop in to see us today!

Article Source: http://moneyning.com/money-management/when-was-the-last-time-you-had-a-financial-checkup/

*Liberty Mutual is an insurance service available to members and is not a product of this credit union.

**Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 800-369-2862. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., is a registered broker/dealer in all fifty states of the United States of America.

4 Wise Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund

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A vacation would be fun, but you’ll get more bang for your buck if you invest in energy-saving improvements or maybe even a new car.

Americans often wrestle with competing desires to spend, save or invest the cash from their tax refund checks.

Many people say they are being responsible with their refunds: 42% plan to use the money to pay down debt and cover bills and 25% plan to save it, according to a survey by TurboTax.

Others are splurging: 15% of taxpayers plan to treat themselves to a vacation or shopping. But advisors say that even if you’ve done everything right — you have an emergency fund, no debt and are maxing out your retirement account contributions — you might want to reconsider spending the refund on a 70-inch TV or a cruise. Here are some of their suggestions below.

1.       Rebalance your portfolio.

With the stock market hovering near five-year highs, advisors normally would recommend investors rebalance their portfolios by selling stocks and using the proceeds to buy bonds or whatever assets they need to get back to their target allocations. But some investors might be able to rebalance without selling their stocks.

Have questions about investing?  Set-up an appointment with the Financial Advisor located at First Financial Federal Credit Union.* Appointments can be made at any branch location, or by calling 732.312.1500.

2.       Prepay your bills.

Even if you’re not living paycheck to paycheck and can afford to spend your refund on a new iPad without falling behind on your bills, there may be better uses for the cash. Though it’s not nearly as exciting, one can use the money to pay off future bills. Why not use this money to put yourself ahead of the game?

Prepay your car insurance bills or car loan payments. Write the phone company a check, or save the money for the home insurance bill you know is coming up in a few months. But don’t forget to check monthly statements to be sure you aren’t paying for something you didn’t request, experts say.

3.       Make home improvements.    Yellow helmet full of dollars

If you’re going to spend it, take a look at your house.  If your furnace is on its last leg, now may be your chance to replace it. Have you wanted to install new windows? Using the money on your home could lift your property value and prevent future damage, advisors say.  People who make energy-efficient improvements might also qualify for a residential energy tax credits expiring at the end of this year. To get the maximum credit of $500, taxpayers need to make $5,000 in qualifying improvements to their stoves, heating or air conditioning systems, insulation, roofs, water heaters and windows and doors. Learn more here.

Did you know First Financial has a home improvement loan?** This loan is perfect for those who don’t think they have enough equity in their home.  Or maybe you’ve been itching to put in a new deck or pool for the nicer weather.  Stop into any branch to ask us how you can get started with a home improvement loan or give us a call at 732.312.1500, Option 4.

isolated red car back view 014.       Buy a car.

If the list of needed car repairs is piling up, some advisors say it might be best to put your check toward a new ride. A $3,000 refund can cover the typical 10% down payment needed on a $30,000 loan for a new car, or the 20% down payment needed on a $15,000 used car.  Don’t forget that First Financial’s auto loan rates are the same whether you buy new or used!***

Those with existing car loans may also have a greater shot at refinancing to get a lower rate (some saving hundreds of dollars a month) if they use some of their refund cash to reduce the size of their loan.

Article Source: http://money.msn.com/tax-tips/post.aspx?post=9a813b25-fba7-4882-b37b-778710cfa8f1

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

**Available on primary residence only, subject to underwriting guidelines. Subject to credit approval. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a home improvement loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties, NJ.

***APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Not all applicants will qualify, subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Actual rate may vary based on credit worthiness and term. First Financial FCU maintains the right to not extend credit, after you respond, if we determine you do not meet our guidelines for creditworthiness. A First Financial membership is required to obtain an Auto Loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

5 Splurges You Can & Should Allow Yourself

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iStock_000017972218XSmallYou work really hard to save money and get out of debt. Every year, when making your New Year’s Resolutions, you vow that this will be the year you finally succeed and never look back.

You set your budget before December, you’ve planned how much you will put on each card, and you plan to say “no” to everything.

  • No more lattes from the Starbucks drive-thru.
  • No more eating out with friends.
  • No more weekly manicures.

At first, you’re so proud of yourself for doing well, but by January 27th, you’re starting to regret and resent your plans.

Your coworkers are going out to dinner tonight and you really, really want to go. You wrestle with your conscience and your goals and off you go to eat with the gang.

You’re not thinking about the goals you established only a few weeks back; you’re thinking about how your debts aren’t going anywhere, no matter what you do. If you can’t change your future, then why not enjoy your present?

Your plans fly out the window before you’ve even given them a fair chance to work.

The unrelenting pressure of your iron-fisted budget is coming down on you hard, and you can’t stand the thought of never spending another dime on yourself. Your inner rebel is screaming to get out. So you surrender, and let the rebel win. This year can be different. No, really, it can be.

Let Go

Allowing yourself a few guilty pleasures that won’t break your budget or wreck your route to success will give you a budget that’s livable and easier to swallow. No one wants to live life feeling deprived.

1. A gym membership

Yes, there goes your excuse to not join the gym. Sorry! The fact is, the gym is a great place to be inspired to stay fit. With the low cost of many fitness centers, it’s easy to justify $19 a month to better your health. Though the biggest win is the excellent health habits you’ll develop, the relaxation that comes after a great workout is a massive bonus. This is one expenditure you should allow yourself — and feel good about!

2. A healthy diet

Buying whole fruits, veggies, and meats eliminates many middle men from the food preparation process. This means you’re getting nutrient-rich foods that will fill and fuel your body better than frozen, prepackaged, or processed foods. They may cost a little more, but YOU are well worth the investment.

3. A retirement fund

Allocate an amount that can be set aside each pay period for your retirement. Even if you already contribute to a 401K, you can increase the amount. The more you invest now, the closer you are to sitting on the front porch of life, rocking away and watching the sun set.

If you would like to set up a no-cost consultation with the Investment & Retirement Center* located at First Financial Federal Credit Union to discuss your savings and retirement goals, contact them at 732.312.1500.

4. A weekend away

(Only do this if you can pay for it outright — no credit cards for this one!) Once in a while, you deserve a break. And though it may cost a bit more, a weekend away can really recharge your batteries, giving you a reason to continue on your journey of savings. Make sure to fully relax in your environment, so that when you return, you’re ready to work hard and roar towards your financial goals.

5. A special reward

Maybe you’ve had your eye on a gorgeous new suit, but you have a hard time justifying the purchase with your looming debt. You longingly stare every time you pass it by. Tuck away a little each week, so that you can get those dapper duds without breaking your budget. After all, you’ve been good and stuck to your goals, right?

By giving yourself permission to enjoy your money (within reason), you’ll be far more likely to stick with your budget and reach your goals.

What splurges do you allow yourself? Tell us! We’d love to hear it – comment below…

Click here to view the article source.

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are: