Choosing a Financial Professional

Choosing the right financial professional is very important. Avoid the mistaken belief that all financial professionals are equally skilled and capable. Abilities and ethics vary from one person to another. It’s your money, so ensure that you’re protecting it and getting the best service possible. Take your time and find someone that fits your personality and needs.

Amana Financial is a great choice for you and your business but keep these things in mind.

Budgeting for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year due to the financial pressures. Between the gift giving, holiday entertaining, and the regular monthly expenses, it all adds up to an expensive time of year!

When you budget for the holidays early, you’ll have a handle on your holiday shopping and spending throughout the season.

Benefits of a Holiday Budget

Keeping a budget during the holiday season will benefit you in many ways. First, you’ll avoid overspending, which will keep you from playing “catch up” when the season ends. Second, you’ll reduce financial stress throughout the holiday season, which will make the experience more enjoyable for you.

A couple of simple budgeting practices during the next few months will have a positive impact on your holiday spending, which can help to prevent you from going overboard or becoming overwhelmed.

Try these holiday spending budget strategies to ease financial tension during this hectic season:

Avoid These Common Budget Busters and Increase Your Savings

If the balance in your savings account isn’t growing fast enough, a common budget buster might be to blame. Sadly, you’re not alone in missing your financial goals. According to a June 2014 survey conducted by Bankrate.com, 75% of Americans have no savings and live paycheck to paycheck! Are you one of these?

Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to get your finances back on track.

Use these strategies to stick to your budget and achieve your financial goals:

Affordable Vacations: Travel With Friends or Family

Memories of family vacations are often the most vivid as one matures. Even though everything is getting more expensive, you can still create those unforgettable travel memories for your children.

One way to afford vacations is to travel in groups. Going on a trip with close friends or extended family members helps you cut travel costs dramatically.

Consider these tips:

A Simple Plan to Regain Financial Fitness

Most of us are not financially fit. We are not completely aware of how our money is being spent. We have too much debt and spend money on the wrong things. While it can be challenging to turn things around, it’s well within your reach.

Enjoy a Positive Cash Flow Even if You Lack Money Management Skills

Are you being confronted by financial challenges? You’re probably feeling discouraged because you haven’t been able to keep a positive cash flow. This is a common challenge faced by many, but it is especially difficult for those who lack good money management skills.

But by no means is the absence of money management skills a financial death sentence! In fact, there’s so much help out there today that you should be able to turn things around in no time.

The question is where to start!

First, it’s important to come to terms with where you are from a cash flow perspective and accept the situation for what it is.

Then, practice these strategies and your cash flow challenges will be a thing of the past:

10 Unusual Ways to Raise Your Credit Score

It’s possible to raise your credit score with some simple changes. Credit scores affect insurance rates, loan interest rates, and other important financial products. A higher score can lead to a brighter financial future.

Consider using these ideas to raise your credit score:

1. Piggyback on good credit histories. You can use a family member’s or friend’s good credit history to help you.

If you add yourself to an account in good standing, your credit score will go up.

Most credit cards allow users to add family members and distant relatives to their accounts.

You’ll be an authorized user on the account and able to make purchases and pay the bills.

7 Ways to Spend the Rest of Your Life Debt-Free

A heavy debt burden is like climbing a mountain with 100 pounds on your back. It never gets any easier unless you drop the weight. Fortunately, it’s possible to live a life without any debt! Eliminating debt and staying debt-free both require discipline and patience. But the freedom you receive is well worth the effort.

Discover How New Technology Helps You Protect Your Credit Cards

Credit cards continue to be popular targets for hackers and thieves. However, companies are responding with new technology to keep your cards safe.

Take advantage of these innovations and take your power back from the criminals:

6 Steps to Financial Stability

Most of us wish we were rich, but financial stability might be even more important. It’s not the inability to buy a mansion that makes people unhappy. Rather, it’s the inability to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck. If you’re not happy with your finances, it’s likely that greater financial stability will have a major impact on your sense of well-being.