Building Wealth

Wealth is not how much you make.
Wealth is how much you have accumulated. Big difference!

We have often talked about the various aspects of building wealth. Today I'll list some of those aspects so you may choose one or two for focus.

How to build wealth starting with THE MOST IMPORTANT:

!. Pay yourself first. Automatic savings, automatic 401k contributions, automatic 529 contributions all give you the advantage of not having to think about it. Build your emergency fund first; without a cushion all your wealth could dissolve with the first crisis.

2. Reduce and eliminate debt. Debt is the antithesis of wealth. It drains you emotionally and physically. Double up on your payments when you can. Or better yet, don't build up debt by using your credit cards wisely and paying them off in full each month.

3. Take full advantage of matching contributions in your 401k or 403b. Employer contributions are free money!

4. Create a plan for spending a windfall like an inheritance or tax return. This is not play money. This is not recurring money like your pay check. It happens rarely. Use it wisely. Plan to spend 10% for fun and use the balance to pay down credit cards, loans or your mortgage.

5. Know what you owe and what you own by creating a Net Worth statement at least once a year. You know your making progress when you compare the numbers year to year and see the growth: Debt (liabilities) diminishing, Assets growing.

6. Create a long-term strategy to build your wealth starting with measurable, attainable, short-term goals like building your emergency fund and paying off credit cards. Then add where you want to be in 5, 10 and 20 years.

7. Get professional help. If you are unsure about saving, investing or debt reduction take a course, read a book, hire a money coach. Your future is too precious to entrust to amateurs.

Be $ Smart - pick one, work to complete it in the next three months. Then pick another to keep you moving forward. You will be so proud of yourself!

Use Tax Season to Put Your Financial House in Order

My least favorite time of year has arrived - TAX season!
It takes days to gather all the 1099's, W-2's, etc. I take over the dining room table with papers spread over every inch. Fortunately, I also have a kitchen table where I eat my meals.

With everything out in the open, this presents a perfect opportunity to organize your finances.

Try to implement one of these suggestions:
1. Use a 3-ring binder to organize statements. Even if you receive statements online, it may be helpful to print the summary page for each financial institution. Use dividers to separate each. This helps you to compare monthly or quarterly values. Are you making money?

2. Create an annual Net Worth statement. List all the assets you own - house, condo, car, 401k, IRA, etc. and their current value. Add them up. List what you owe (liabilities) - car loan, student loan, mortgage, credit card balances, etc. Add them up. Subtract what you owe from what you own. That number is your Net Worth. Each year compare the bottom line. Are you growing your wealth?

3. Increase your savings amount. Pay yourself first.
Are you on track to buy that car or condo? Set up direct deposit from your checking account to your savings account.
For retirement, increase your contribution to your 401k/403b by 1%.

Be $ Smart - Use tax season to build your financial independence.