SavvySugar

Back to Basics: Achieve Your Goals With These Calculators

SavvySugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:15:09 -0700

Sure, we'd all love to snap our fingers and achieve our financial goals. But successfully paying down credit card debt and saving money can only happen if you go in with a plan, and a realistic one at that.

Want to be debt free? Use my credit card payment calculator to determine how long it will take while paying a certain amount each month. If saving money is at the top of your list, whether it's for something fun or to build up your rainy day fund, use my savings calculator to figure out how long it will take to reach your goal.

11 Golden Rules to Live By

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:30:11 -0700

Working hard and being smart with your money aren't things you just should do because they seem virtuous; these behaviors ultimately allow you to get more enjoyment out of life. You'll have no regrets when you're able to accomplish what's important to you because of your savvy ways. These are 11 golden rules that I try to live by; click through and then make a list of your own.

View Slideshow ›

Does Vocalizing Goals Up Your Chances of Following Through?

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:30:31 -0700

There are few qualities that bother me more than people who are all talk. But according to a study from New York University (and reported in the September issue of Shape), it could be the talking that's preventing those people from accomplishing the goals they gab about. It says that people who talk about an ambition may be less likely to follow-through with it.

The finding surprised me, because personally, I'm just the opposite. Does vocalizing your goals improve your chances of accomplishing them?

How-To: Set and Achieve Financial Goals

SavvySugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:30:54 -0700

There's no time like the present to figure out your finances. It's easy to put your money goals on a back-burner during the lazy days of Summer, so here are some helpful reminders about how to establish and achieve a better financial life.

View Slideshow ›

I'm Asking: What's Your Next Big Move?

SavvySugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:15:03 -0700

It's an uncertain time everywhere. While February brought the first new-home sales upkick since July we're still experiencing sinking home values, layoffs, and a messy market.

One benefit of the turmoil - in my humble opinion - is that most of us are talking about our long term career goals and the steps we need to take to remain financially secure and confident. A friend of mine recently admitted watching layoffs at her company has forced her to look at her career goals and implement a plan for a change once the job market settles and companies start expanding again.

Have you considered the next major life change you will make?

Source

10 Tips For Balancing Love and Money

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:15:35 -0700

It's a sad, but common tune: Debt threatens to divide or break up an otherwise strong couple that hadn't set up any financial ground rules. Love and money don't always go hand in hand, which means it's crucial to consider the long term repercussions of sharing your life and bank account with another person. There's no magical credit card or anti-debt potion, but here are some tips for keeping the communication lines open, piggy bank full and both of you crazy in love.

View Slideshow ›

Grind Tip: Pick Something to Focus on For the Week Ahead

SavvySugar — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:00:04 -0800

I have a love/hate relationship with Sundays. Of course I love that it's a day away from the office, but I hate the onslaught of anxiety that comes with Sunday's sunset - I'm sure some of you can relate. We begin reviewing our weekly schedules and planning for tasks that require extra effort, to the point where Monday morning feels like a continuation of Sunday night. This weekend, I'm going to try something new and invite you to do the same.

Instead of working (or thinking about work) until bedtime, make an effort to leave at least an hour before heading to bed. There are always work-related things to do and think about, so in order to turn off a busy mind there needs to be some sense of finality. This weekend, choose something to focus on for the week ahead. It could be anything from procrastinating less and checking email less often, to getting out for lunch. Leave your busy work-brain behind once you've selected a goal, and then do something relaxing! Listen to music, have a conversation, take a bath - anything but work.

Hopefully, this will leave us feeling more at ease after the weekend, and we'll have something positive to focus on for the week ahead while we're going through our everyday routines.

Source

I'm Asking: What Are Your 2009 Career Goals?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:30:09 -0800

Your immediate goal in this economic climate might simply be to keep your job, but a stagnant economy doesn't mean we have to stop thinking of where we're going with our careers. It's important for your professional growth and your personal satisfaction to constantly be thinking about your goals and how you're going to achieve them. So tell me, what are your career goals for the new year and beyond?

Source

Can You Achieve Your Career Goals With Your Current Employer?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:15:50 -0800

Most of us have had a few jobs since college, which is generally expected as job hopping is used to move forward with our careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers average more than 10 different jobs by age 42, but more people are staying in their jobs longer as the economy has weakened.

Because there aren't a lot of positions available to change jobs when workers are ready for a better opportunity or a higher salary, job hopping has slowed down quite a bit. Even when opportunities exist, many employees are fearful to leave the job they know and take the risk of joining a new company. A survey from job search website TheLadders.com found that 62 percent of workers think they won't achieve their career goals at their current company, which means those goals may be put on hold until the job market turns around.

Source

Will You Hit These Money Milestones by the Time You're 30?

SavvySugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:30:52 -0700

Turning 30 can be a dreadful birthday for some reluctant 20-somethings, but no matter how full of dread you may be there's a way to gracefully enter the next decade in regard to money management. In order to set you up for smooth sailing, MSN Money created a list of six money milestones to reach by the time you're 30. Do you think these milestones are appropriate for most people in their twenties? Is there anything you'd add or remove?

Scale back the credit cards. If you aren't able to live on your earnings and are still taking on credit card debt when you're 30, it's going to be difficult for you to save enough for retirement.
Own a home, or have a plan. One expert says that homeownership should be a priority, and to start saving for a down payment.
Have skills. Develop a set of marketable skills by the time you are 30 and try to bring something new to the table.
Give money away. Financial advisor Scott Hanson says, "I think it's financially healthy to give."
Know thyself. Decide what's important to you. Hanson explains, "Start to know yourself and build parameters so your life and money line up with those parameters."
Know smart people. When you need advice, turning someone who's good at their job can save you money in the long run, whether it's a tax preparer, financial adviser, attorney, or insurance agent.

Source