Let’s face it, kids are expensive. Besides providing for the basic needs of their children, many parents find themselves bombarded with requests for the latest “it” thing. Between the needs, the wants, and extracurricular activities, kids can sabotage a families effort toward debt reduction. Don’t let kids blow your budget!
Most of the talk in the financial blogosphere is pretty negative these days. Just about everybody is talking about the slowing of economic growth, the stagnant housing market, increased numbers of bankruptcies, and the looming recession.
The majority of the conversations that I have with people reveal a very interesting fact to me: many people have no idea how to plan for their futures. Most people don’t even look into the future. Most people live for the present and their spending and savings habits reflect that very same mentality.
If the current real estate market doesn’t scare you, the current status of your retirement planning probably should. Are you ready for your golden years or at least on the path to being so? These stats and tidbits of advice might change your mind.
So what is the role of personal financial planning? Quite a mouthful, but to paraphrase it, it simply begs the question of “What is personal financial planning” and “what can it do for me?”. So what should your personal financial plan entail? The following information should be taken as a guide only, and individual circumstances differ from one to another.