Finances

Prepare psychologically for retirement

Prepare psychologically for retirement 520 350 Donna Skeels Cygan
Is Sunday evening the best part of your week? Many recent retirees tell me they savor their Sunday evenings, because they are no longer stressed about going to work on Monday morning. Today’s article covers how to prepare psychologically for retirement. Next month’s will cover how to prepare financially for retirement. Mitch Anthony recommends that [...]read more

Simplify life, finances to enjoy summer

Simplify life, finances to enjoy summer 650 336 Donna Skeels Cygan
It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy! Isn’t that what the song says? So, why do we feel that our lives are too hectic, our homes are too cluttered, and our stress levels are too high? I can’t attempt to solve all of these issues in one article, but I believe that small steps can [...]read more

Plan a vacation without blowing your budget

Plan a vacation without blowing your budget 1682 1116 Donna Skeels Cygan
With summer almost here, vacation planning season is upon us. This often involves blowing your budget and suffering a “credit card hangover” after you return home. This year, try something different: With these 12 tips and some careful planning, you can stay within your budget and still have a great vacation. 1. What is your [...]read more

Important ‘F’ word for investors: fiduciary

Important ‘F’ word for investors: fiduciary 700 273 Donna Skeels Cygan
Despite the endearing advertisements in which the financial industry tries to make you think they are giving you advice that is in your best interest, in many cases, financial professionals simply want to sell you something. Far too often, their profit motive is a higher priority than what is best for you. So, it is [...]read more

Take control with a net worth statement

Take control with a net worth statement 456 304 Donna Skeels Cygan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Many people are intimidated by money. They don’t know where to begin to get organized. Some people may work with a financial adviser and not be directly involved in managing their money. Other people do not know what they own and whether their net worth is a positive or negative number. Putting [...]read more

New bucket list: create wise tax strategies

New bucket list: create wise tax strategies 837 449 Donna Skeels Cygan
“Don’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog” is a quirky saying that has been a mainstay for financial advisers for many years. It means to not let tax issues override smart investment decisions. However, smart tax planning is essential for smart investing. The key with tax planning is to be proactive, and a [...]read more

Want to be a millionaire? Focus on saving

Want to be a millionaire? Focus on saving 700 883 Donna Skeels Cygan
Saving is the key to financial security. I know many people think saving is hard. However, when you see your account grow and compound over the years, it becomes exciting. You realize it wasn’t that hard, and saving actually gets easier over time. You just need to take the first step. Thomas Stanley and William [...]read more

Plan now for a financially secure 2017

Plan now for a financially secure 2017 1000 729 Donna Skeels Cygan
We are in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and 2016 is about to come to a close. Would you like to experience financial security in 2017? Are there changes you want to make to your finances? Now is the time to start planning for the new year. During the last two weeks [...]read more

Strategies to help you stick to holiday budget

Strategies to help you stick to holiday budget 2048 1365 Donna Skeels Cygan
The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” yet they often lead to overspending and stress. Many people end up with a credit card hangover in January. Being proactive can help break the cycle. With just a little effort, the following think-out-of-the-box strategies will result in a happier holiday season [...]read more

Why ‘keeping up’ may be keeping you down

Why ‘keeping up’ may be keeping you down 1180 544 Donna Skeels Cygan
We feel pressure to keep up with the status quo (the proverbial Joneses). If our neighbor buys a new car, our six-year-old car may start to look pretty shabby. We see ads on TV for new cars, we start paying more attention to other cars as we drive around town, and we may start researching [...]read more