As 2017 comes to an end, we’re taking a moment to look back and reflect on the year. With the inauguration of a new president, the Great American Eclipse, the infamous Equifax security breach, and much, much more, it’s hard to believe that it was all packed into a single, short year. In case you missed any of it, we’re rounding up our 10 favorite blog posts of the year for your review.
7 Day Money Cleanse
Whether your finances have gotten out of control, you are new to financial planning, or even if you are an expert, our 7 Day Money Cleanse makes auditing your finances easy. Each day breaks the task down into a smaller, simpler step that gives you a complete picture of your finances by the end of a week. With the new year coming, now’s the perfect time to take a serious look at your spending and create a new plan, tailored to your goals for 2018.
7 Habits to Move Towards Financial Freedom
A large part of getting, and keeping, your finances in order is developing good habits, especially if you’re ready to take it to the next level and achieve financial freedom. Building these habits takes only a few minutes per month, but you’ll see immediate savings in your monthly budget that will continue to grow year after year.
5 Reasons to be Frugal When You Can Spend More
As your income rises over the years, it can be tempting to buy that new car you’ve always wanted, upgrade to a bigger house, or even just eat out an extra couple times per week. Lifestyle creep may not seem like a big deal, but it can be easy to let it grow out of control and leave you with too little, or even no, savings.
7 Lessons to Teach Your Kids (or Grandkids) About Money
Financial and spending habits develop early in children and it’s important that they are given good examples and lessons of healthy finances while it will have the greatest impact. Some parents may feel uncomfortable discussing money with their children, but these seven lessons can help establish a strong foundation of knowledge without ever bringing up numbers.
5 Money Lessons Before Your Kids Leave for College
As your children continue to grow, they’ll continue to develop their financial savvy, both on their own and through the lessons that you continue to teach them. As they prepare to move on to the next big step in their lives and go to college, you should leave them with these five final lessons to set them up for a life of success.
5 Questions to Ask Before Going Back to School
You may be interested in going back to school yourself. Many people return to college at some point in their professional career, whether for personal growth or to broaden their skillset, but before you make the plunge, it’s important to consider these five questions to determine your best course of action.
Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mortgage Mistakes
On the other hand, buying a home is another common decision that many people make as their careers become established. Unfortunately, many people also fall prey to the same common mistakes, especially when purchasing their first home. A house is likely the largest purchase you’ll make in your entire life, and proper planning will save you huge amounts of both time and money.
What to Do Now if You Want to Retire in 5 Years
Throughout your entire career, it’s important to review and adjust your goals, plans, and portfolios periodically. As you approach retirement age, it’s even more vital that you make the final preparations for yourself and set yourself up with a steady income over the years.
Spending Tips for Retirees
Have you considered all of your expenses in retirement? Besides housing, groceries, and transportation, there are many other expenses to calculate into your monthly retirement budget to make sure your money lasts and you don’t have to worry about stretching yourself too thin.
4 Great Places to Retire on a Budget
If you have followed our advice so far, stayed frugal, and prepared for your retirement, you may be looking for a great place to retire to where your money will last. We’ve rounded up four amazing places to live across the country where you can enjoy the very best that life has to offer, without needing to cash out your entire retirement.
All of us at Sharkey, Howes & Javer thank you for making this year so fulfilling. We’re excited to venture into 2018 with you and wish you good health and much happiness in the coming year. Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
