Learning to resist the urge to over-spend can feel like entering the counter-culture. But that might be just the mind-set needed if we want to reach our important financial goals like buying a house, sending kids to college or retiring someday.
When I meet or talk on the phone with someone who is experiencing a financial crisis, such as the loss of a job or spiraling debt, I try to bring the focus toward immediate next steps that can help bring relief. It is not until after this crisis is addressed that we can move on to bigger picture goals. The first thing to do is to recognize that you are not alone in your experience and that there are steps you can take to make things better day by day.
While good deals can be great, my recommendation is to remain mindful of what you really need before snapping up a bargain for a bargain’s sake.
Whether you are a student looking to apply for financial aid, an employee needing to update your benefits at work, a retiree wanting to switch your Medicare plan, or anyone needing to enroll in health insurance coverage through the Marketplace exchange, now is the time to gather your documents and your wits and tackle the task!
Learning to resist the urge to over-spend can feel like entering the counter-culture. But that might be just the mind-set needed if we want to reach our important financial goals like buying a house, sending kids to college or retiring someday.
Gardening and financial planning have a few things in common. In developing a financial plan, it is important to lay the groundwork, build a strong foundation, tend it along the way and try not to skip any steps. Also like gardening, if mistakes are made, or things get neglected, there are ways to bring things around.