Real Life

Follow these five steps to take control of financial future

Follow these five steps to take control of financial future 5616 3744 Donna Skeels Cygan
Money skills are learned. They are not genetic. Many of us learned how to deal with money from our parents or grandparents. It was not a formal class or an organized discussion. It was merely watching the way they handled money while we were growing up. Did they save for their future, or were they [...]read more

Get started now to raise money-savvy kids

Get started now to raise money-savvy kids 6000 4000 Donna Skeels Cygan
All parents want their kids to grow up to be financially responsible adults. We want our kids to learn how to live within a budget, to avoid credit card debt, and to understand the concept of “not keeping up with the Joneses.” We want our kids to be happy. We want them to find a [...]read more

Start now to plan a fun, affordable vacation

Start now to plan a fun, affordable vacation 6000 4000 Donna Skeels Cygan
Summer is just around the corner and if you have kids, that often means a fun-filled family vacation. As you plan your summer, keep in mind the following tips. Simple and short When planning a vacation, do not limit yourself to thinking it must be elaborate and expensive. Summer getaways do not need to last [...]read more

How tax reform will impact New Mexicans

How tax reform will impact New Mexicans 958 736 Donna Skeels Cygan
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 22, 2017. People are asking: How is this going to impact me? Will my taxes go down? Am I going to pay more taxes? Let’s break it down as it pertains to New Mexican taxpayers. TIMING: The changes [...]read more

Create a positive financial mindset for 2018

Create a positive financial mindset for 2018 900 599 Donna Skeels Cygan
The year is not yet over, but many of us are looking forward to January 2018. Starting a new year is always exciting, offering opportunities for making healthy changes. But often, our best intentions have faded within a few weeks, and we fall back into our old routines. Let’s focus on our mindset to improve [...]read more

Joy compounded

Joy compounded 1200 799 Donna Skeels Cygan
  The holidays are often stressful. Thanksgiving is usually a time for families to gather together and give thanks, and focusing on gratitude is always healthy. However, it is quickly followed by the hustle and bustle of December. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or another holiday, the pace often becomes frantic. Here are three strategies [...]read more

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

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