Financial Fitness

Many of us have experienced stressful life-changing events, such as job loss, divorce, serious medical concerns, failure of a small business, or death of a spouse. Any one of these events can stretch a budget to its breaking point, overwhelming one with debt.   

Does this describe you, or someone you know? If so, you do have options, but do not wait—the bills are not going to magically disappear. 

First, try to speak with your creditors. If they are inflexible about reducing interest rates or monthly payments, credit counseling may help. Experienced counselors can contact your creditors and try to negotiate improved terms that will enable you to pay off your debts, while still making an allowance for groceries and other essentials.

Navigating the college application process can be stressful enough for students and their families without the added pressure of “How do I pay for college?”

Whether you're a parent planning for a child's education or a small business owner poised for growth, one thing's for certain --there's not much you can control about the future.  When you add the backdrop of a turbulent economy, it may be difficult to even think about making long-term plans for yourself, your family or your loved ones.

As the mother of a six-month-old daughter and an estate planning attorney, planning for the possibility you might die, become disabled or incompetent is a topic near to my heart. It’s also one I often get questions about from people who have, or are expecting, children.

Are you someone who works hard, gets paid, pays bills and then wonders where all your hard earned money has gone? Here are a few money management tips from the Home Repair Resource Center: 

Money Move 1: Establish a cash reserve. You set the amount; it can be $50 or $500. This is to be used only for emergencies. If you don’t have a lump sum to start with, save small amounts until you do.

Money . . . it can provide opportunities and it can be the source of much worry. How can you reduce the stress you feel about money? One approach is to do some thoughtful planning.

When is the last time you made a list of your goals and dreams and made a plan for achieving them? Taking this step might feel big and scary, but the process really is energizing and exciting. Developing a plan can enable you to provide for your loved ones while helping to create security for your own retirement.

Debit cards can be confusing. Many rules and fees often go along with them. Home Repair Resource Center offers Debit Card Ed 101.

To determine your savings score please answer the following questions. I warn you these questions may be painful!