Financial Resolutions for the New Year

By Renee Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor

The New Year is fast approaching, are you ready to get your finances in order for 2012? If so, here are some tips to get started:

1. Create a budget.
By setting and tracking income and expense categories, you not only keep your current finances organized, you can also set the wheels in motion for reaching long-term goals like buying a new house or financing college.

2. Make it automatic.
You’ll have fewer details to worry about by automating as many financial chores as possible. For example, you may be able to eliminate trips to the bank with automatic payroll deposit. Automating your monthly bills for things like cable, electricity and trash removal can also save you hours of valuable free time each month.

3. Inventory your assets.
A financial inventory provides a useful snapshot of your assets so you can understand where you are now and what you must do to reach your goals.

4. File important documents.
In addition to your financial inventory, keep other important documents like tax returns and statements from investment accounts organized and accessible. You’ll also want to keep insurance policies, wills, trust documents and other important paperwork safe and available to those who may need them.

5. Computerize the process.
There are a variety of software packages and on-line resources available to help you keep your financial life organized. Most of them are very inexpensive – and some are even free.

With the basics in order, you can focus more clearly on all the things you’d like to accomplish in 2012!

Want to learn more easy to implement tips to reach financial success? Become a member of www.WeHelpWomen.com today and check out out interactive courses on budgeting and saving!



Renée A. Hanson, CFP®, CEP®, CDFA™, CFS, is a private wealth advisor with Hanson, Ayala & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Her passion is in helping women achieve their dreams and financial goals, regardless of life’s many obstacles. Renée is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI. Please visit: www.reneehanson.com to learn more. Ameriprise Financial does not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.