Show Yourself Some Love

It’s February! Get excited! If you haven’t truly committed to your New Year’s resolution, it’s not too late. Reevaluate your chosen goal(s) and ask yourself: will this make me happy if I complete it by the end of the year? Remind yourself why that goal will make you happy because your ‘why’ will help propel you to stay disciplined each day until you hit your target. Then tell a trusted friend who will keep you accountable. And don’t be too hard on yourself, it takes baby steps before you can walk and then you can run!

Love your future self.

Remember, the things you do today will affect your tomorrow. Completing your 2019 goals will inspire you to reach new and bigger goals next year. You’ll gain confidence in your abilities and stretch yourself further. Just like exercising for 30 minutes a day may not prove effective in the first few weeks, but over the next few months you’ll sleep better, have more energy and manage stress just a little better--the same holds true for your financial goals. Saving 5% in your 401k may not seem like a lot today but over time it grows exponentially and your future self will thank you for being diligent over the years.

On this Valentine’s Day remember to show yourself some love and gain momentum in the goals you have set for yourself or stretch them just a little so you end with more than you ever expected. Increase your 401k contributions by 1% or heck another 5%! Over time, this nominal increase will payoff and all because of the choices you made today.

Show yourself some love today and get back on track with your goals and think big! Remember to keep your why at the forefront of your daily disciplines, your future self with thank you.

Check out “A 401k for Two” for additional insights for couples contributing to one 401k.

Thankful In Opportunities

November came in a blink. Where did the year go? Suddenly, we realize there are only 2 months left and our brains start thinking about holiday plans, how far we are from completing our 2018 goals and the growing list of must get done before Christmas. Our mind quickly gets overwhelmed by things we haven’t started, fell short of or want to complete before 2019. This is the month where we, as a nation, recognize it as a time to reflect on the things we are grateful for. Consider not only those that have made an impression on you this year, but all the things you did right. Don’t forget all the problems you solved and the obstacles you overcame. Acknowledging these things will help you to finish this year strong and also get you pumped to continue that momentum.

THANKFUL FOR MY EXPERIENCES.

Life is short. As fast as November came, 10 years can fly by. Experiences and life lessons encompass the what. Sharing and inspiring are the why. You make a difference in this world. It’s important to have experiences and it’s just as important to feel secure. Security in the different categories of life can vary between individuals. So you have to decide what security looks like in your ideal world. 

Financial security is important to your experiences today and maybe more so in your future experiences. Be thankful for everything you have today. Break up your savings goals into two categories: (1) short term (emergency fund) and (2) long term (retirement). With all of this thinking about what we have and where we came from, we should be mindful of where we are heading, and constantly update our goals to get there.  

THANKFUL FOR MY 401(K)

401(k)’s are a powerful savings vehicle. They allow us to save more than we could on our own and provide our future with more security than simple interest in a savings account and here are a few reasons how:

• Compound returns - the most powerful tool for a long term investor.

• Tax advantage - whether you are contributing to your 401k pre-tax (the money you contribute does not get currently reported as income) or Roth (because earnings in Roth grow tax free)

• Flexibility - to save and invest based on your personal capacity and not limited by minimums

• Looking forward to your future

• Leaving a legacy

ONWARD AND UPWARD

No matter where you are, keep moving forward. You can do this if you are just starting or if you want to increase your savings goals. Today, avoid thinking of what holds you back and instead take a moment to give thanks for what opportunities may be in front of you and squeeze for all its worth.