Good Financial Reads: Save Effortlessly, Not Mindlessly, Managing Your Holiday Spending, and More

Following along with the blogs of financial advisors is a great way to access valuable, educational information about finance — and it doesn’t cost you a thing! Our financial planners love to share their knowledge and help everyone regardless of age or assets.

Catch up on some of the latest posts with this week's roundup:

Save Effortlessly, Not Mindlessly

by Julie Ford, Ford Financial Solutions

Can technology help us create better saving habits? I recently read this article reviewing apps that aim “to make saving as effortless as spending.” While these tech tools can be really useful, it’s important that effortless doesn’t become mindless.

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How to Keep Holiday Spending From Blowing Up Your Budget

by Bill Nelson, Pacesetter Planning

With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is here. And with it comes travel plans, parties, family gatherings, and, of course, gifts.

With all of that comes costs. Significant ones. A study from PwC estimates that millennials will spend over $1,000 on holiday-related expenses this year, up 26% from last year alone.

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Asset Allocation vs. Asset Location

by Scott Smith, Olympia Ridge Personal Financial Advisers

Last week I was meeting with new clients doing a review of their investment portfolio. I was amazed that two people in their mid-thirties had been able to amass an investment portfolio of almost $650,000. They had several factors that contributed to them being able to save so much. No student loan debt which allows them to focus on daily expenses, both are above average earners, no children, a long work history going back to their mid-teens, and a commitment to saving and investing from the time they started working.

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Trapped in Survivor Mode

by Deb Meyer, WorthyNest

Do you feel stuck in survival mode, with no clear end in site? Maybe you are stuck in a job that you hate. Or your compensation doesn’t reflect your worth as an employee. Oftentimes, there is a disconnect between who you are now and where you want to be. Don’t get trapped in a state of survival. Rather, clarify goals and shift your mindset from one of scarcity to abundance. Embrace the opportunities ahead. Prepare to thrive.

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