budget

Perhaps you’ve lost a job, faced an illness or have been delt a family crisis that emptied out your emergency fund. What are your next steps?

 

You’re eyeing center-hall colonials in your neighborhood and dreaming about the garden you want to plant in the backyard and all the holiday celebrations you’ll host. You’ve saved toward this goal and think you’re ready to pull the trigger. But the real question is: How much house can I afford?

Or is it?

If you get an allowance, you might be wondering what to do with it. To answer that question, let’s see what we can learn from Penny and Spencer, a dog and a cat who are friends — but very, very different.

 

What do you do when your heart demands something, but your bank account says no? That’s the dilemma that many, especially Millennials, find themselves in when they think about having a family. 

Determining an appropriate mix of investments and matching those choices to your retirement goals is a keystone of successful retirement planning. If your eyes glaze over when someone starts talking about asset classes, diversification and allocation, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick guide:

What Is an Asset Class?

The end-of-the-month problem isn’t just what you’re taking in, it’s more likely what’s going out. Navigating the line between income and expense is a lot easier with a financial road map: A household budget.

In the modern world, it’s probably fair to say that most of us like to get what we want quickly. We like fast food, same-day delivery, on-demand entertainment and fast passes at the theme park. And sure, it would be great to “get rich quick” in the stock market too.

Saving for retirement is very important, but many people feel that they can’t spare the money to participate in a retirement plan or even create a basic savings account. Retirement plan consultants suggest that the first step is to create a budget. Once you figure out where your money is going, you can look for ways to save more.

Track your spending

When it comes to preparing for a rainy day, the best time to act is now. Establishing a 3-month or $10,000 emergency fund is a critical pillar to your financial wellness — and it will help you sleep a whole lot better at night.

But how can you find room for this essential line item in an already tight budget? Here are 12 tips to help get you there.