Retirement Planning Tips For Women

What is the end goal of your financial efforts? If you set a goal, you need to have a defined goal time to have completed what it is that you are after. Your plans need to be based upon common sense, and they need to be achievable. A good idea is to write those goals down, and quantify those goals with a financial amount. An example of that is figuring out how much money you want to save for that college fund. How much do you need for the down payment on the house? When you quantify your goals, you will be able to take clear steps to achieve them.

Here’s the important point: Brokers don’t make money when you do. Sure, they’d like you to make money, but they actually make their money by managing your money. They make money when the market goes down; they make money when the market goes up; they make money when the market is flat. In other words, they always win. Their clients, however (and that would be you), only win in one of those three directions. Brokers win in all three directions. That’s why even though you always hope for the best, all too often you end up with a cooked goose instead of the fatted calf.



Calculate expenses and start saving – Child rearing will surely affect your budget. Assess your financial situation to see to if you can afford it. Also take note of your family expenses and your goals for your child. It is also important to start saving as early as possible as the expenses will surely go up as the child grows older.

Evaluate your financial status. After you have all your documentation in one place, it’s best to meet with a qualified financial planning advisor who will help you make sense of your financial situation. The objective point of view will help you reach new conclusions about yourself and your finances.

The next step is to look at your expenses carefully, and figure out what you can cut. Check your bills and receipts to see just where your money goes. Many people spend a lot on items that they want, but don’t need. If you eat out constantly, or can’t live without an updating wardrobe, you don’t have to cut those activities out entirely. Just reducing the frequency with which you go shopping or have a meal out can help you balance your budget. You don’t have to save more than a little at a time, because it adds up in the end.

DIY Budget Workbook- Begin to carry a notebook around with you wherever you go. In the notebook write down every amount of income you make and every amount of expenses you have for a whole month. The notebook will help you see exactly where your money is going and how it is coming in. This option might be hard to stick with but if you do it for a month you will have a much better understanding of your finances.