Taking steps to achieve financial health is just like setting a goal to lose weight – it doesn't happen overnight. Setting yourself up for financial success requires time, dedication and maintenance. Still, many people want to see results quickly or they lose the drive to make critical financial changes. This may explain why 40 percent of Americans admit to struggling financially and can't stay ahead of their bills, according to a 2016 survey from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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Read Entire Article:  https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/2018-01-31/5-smart-ways-to-improve-your-financial-health

As you think about 2018 and your goals for the new year, consider putting a plan to start the new year off on the right financial foot at the top of your list.  It’s well worth spending some time thinking about your money at the start of the year so you can achieve your goals as quickly as possible.

Gather your data

Start the new year by taking stock of all things financial in your life, your income and expenses, your assets, including your retirement accounts, and your liabilities, your insurance policies, your income tax returns, and your wills, trusts and other estate planning documents. Try to identify gaps in your financial plan. Examine, for instance, if you have enough life and disability insurance in place or if your estate plan is in order.

Read Article:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2017/12/29/heres-how-start-2018-right-financial-foot/966316001/

By Marvin Dumon | Updated October 24, 2017 — 1:26 PM EDT
How to Spot a Recession-Proof CompanyInvestors hoping to minimize downside risks arising from a recession should look out for the following qualities in a company:


1. The company provides critical repair and maintenance services, or sells essentials.
Companies that provide nonessential services are typically the first to get hit in a recession. Consumers can choose to cut their own grass or paint their own houses, for example, putting the residential contractor in tough financial times.


Read more: 4 Characteristics Of Recession-Proof Companies https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental-analysis/09/recession-proof-industries.asp#ixzz4zni9qRZT

WASHINGTON — Global finance leaders on Saturday appealed to central bankers to stick as long as possible with low-interest rate policies that have made borrowing attractive and helped safeguard an improving but still fragile world economic recovery.

Declaring the “recovery is not complete” even eight years after the 2008 financial crisis, the 189-nation International Monetary Fund wrapped up its fall meetings with a communique warning “there is no room for complacency” as nations confront new challenges to global growth from a range of threats, including cyber-security attacks and more violent weather patterns linked to climate change.
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Read Article:  https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/global-finance-leaders-warn-complacency

YOU INTUITIVELY KNOW why you should bolt your doors when you leave the house and add some sort of authentication for your smartphone. But there are lots of digital entrances that you leave open all the time, such as Wi-Fi and your cell connection. It's a calculated risk, and the benefits generally make it worthwhile. That calculus changes with Bluetooth. Whenever you don't absolutely need it, you should go ahead and turn it off.
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Read Article:  https://www.wired.com/story/turn-off-bluetooth-security/

There are some people who love setting goals and do a great job reaching them every year, and then there are others who set goals and struggle to make them happen. If you are tired of living in your current situation, but you feel like setting new financial goals will not make a difference, you should try setting up a financial plan instead of setting goals this year. Your financial plan will outline what you need to do and when without the drastic changes that often come when you set goals that may not be achievable.
Read Article: https://www.thebalance.com/set-up-a-financial-plan-instead-of-financial-goals-4116109

A financial planner is a professional who helps you organize your finances, projects the results of your savings and investments so you can see how well prepared you are for retirement, and helps you make decisions with your money that will help you reach your financial goals as efficiently as possible.
The term “financial planner” and “financial advisor” typically mean the same thing. But certainly not all financial planners or financial advisors are alike.
Read Article:  https://www.thebalance.com/what-will-a-good-financial-planner-do-for-me-2388442

he best savers aren’t just focusing on funding their golden years.

In a new survey, financial investment management company Principal asked today’s “super savers” about the two most important goals they’re working towards.

While saving for retirement is a priority — after all, Principal defines “super savers” as those who contributed at least 90 percent of the IRS maximum for the year into their employer-sponsored retirement plan — two goals trumped retirement in terms of importance: Having financial security and raising a family.
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Read Article:  http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/18/what-super-savers-are-prioritizing-over-retirement.html?recirc=taboolainternal

As parents, we understand the importance of talking to our children about sex and drugs. We get them involved in sports early to teach them the value of teamwork and physical health. Yet how often do we discuss budgeting, compound interest or debt management? When it comes to finances, we don't want to stress them out, think talking about money is rude, or feel they don't need to understand finance until they are older. Yet every step our kids take from college through retirement will be directly influenced by their ability to manage their finances: student loans, credit cards, jobs, mortgages, savings, etc. Some schools teach personal finances, but a financial literacy test given by the National Financial Educator's Council found that test-takers from 15-18 years old scored an average of only 59.6%. So it's up to the parents to make sure our children have a financial education before going out to the real world, where they will make financial decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. Of course, no child big or small will respond well or retain a sit down lecture on finances, so you have to sneak in the education; make it fun, interactive and relevant. The more you integrate finances and money into their everyday life, the more comfortable they will be with personal finance as adults.
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Read Article:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizfrazierpeck/2017/06/28/how-to-teach-your-children-about-finances-at-any-age/?ss=personalfinance#2311bb46b2fe

In today’s global, always-on, and ultra-competitive work environment, good employers understand that productive, highly engaged employees are their greatest assets.


That’s why many have made commitments to improving workplace performance and safety, while raising employee awareness of health and health-related risks.


In developing this workplace culture of health, employers are increasingly realizing the intrinsic connection between employees’ financial well-being and their ability to be at their best while on the job.
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Read More:  http://www.benefitspro.com/2016/05/31/the-connection-between-financial-health-and-physic