The holidays are just a few weeks away. Many families look forward to this time of year for all the family time, gifts and delicious food it brings. However, as you work hard to support your family, you also see it from another perspective. It’s a time of year where you seem to spend more than the average month. Since you are traveling to see family members, buying gifts for everyone, and spending a little more on that dinner or that bottle of wine. Your costs during this season add up fast.
To help you prepare for the holiday season and the end of the year, we have put together 4 steps you should take during the next few weeks.
1. Review Your Current Finances
First, we recommend you set up a meeting with your financial advisor as soon as possible. A financial adviser is a professional who suggests and renders financial services to you based on your financial situation. Meeting with them will help you gain a clear picture of all the things you could be doing to save right away and prepare for the future.
In case you do not have a financial advisor, you can reach out to Jim Sidaris, one of the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce trusted financial advisors. He works at Merril Lynch and will work with you to develop a customized financial strategy designed to help you pursue what’s important to you.
2. Discover Opportunities to Save
Once you have a clear picture of your finances, you will discover immediate actions you can take to save money. The Capstone Federal Credit Union is a fantastic union to help you determine savings programs based on your current financial commitments. You can also become a member of SDCCU, another trusted Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce member who gives FREE checking with e-statements, direct deposit, Visa Credit and debit cards to it’s members. Both credit unions will be able to give you an array of e-services that can save you not just money, but also save you time.
3. Explore Ways to Invest
On top of trying to save, you will want to explore ways to invest your money. Investment vehicles, such as stocks, certificates of deposit, or bonds, offer returns on your money over the long term. This return allows your money to build, creating wealth over time and making you in much better shape for future holidays. To learn about investment opportunities we highly recommend working with the Chamber of Commerce member Waddell Reed Inc., who have many different investment opportunities for you to explore.
4. Ensure Your Wealth is Covered
Review your insurance plans and look for a high-quality credit union you can work with. Being proactive about this before the new year will make sure that you are in the best position for 2019. Set up an appointment with HCP National Insurance Services to help you ensure your wealth is covered. They are a trusted member of the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce and will be able to provide all the information you need to know where your risks lie and help you manage your wealth.
We hope you found some of this information useful. If you have any other questions, please let us know in the comments.