After a turbulent 2008, make some New Year’s resolutions </tit= le> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=3DEN-US style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=3DSection1> <o:p> </o:p> BUSINESS </sp= an>WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2008 = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; TRIBUNE<o:p></o:p> <o:p> = ;</o:p> Afte= r a turbulent 2008, make some New Year’s resolutions <o:p></o:p>= <o:p> </o:p> REBECCA WARREN is a certified financial planner and certified senior adviser in <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Mesa</st1:pl= ace></st1:City>. She can be reached at (480) 357-8380 or by e-mail at <= span class=3DGramE>rebecca@ warrenfinancialservices.com. <o:p></o:= p> <o:p> </o:p> Money isn’t everyone’s No. 1 worry, but if it’s yours, why not consider the following New Year’s resolutions to improve your financial life?</spa= n><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> Resolve:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 1. To write down your goals: Have you ever written down the big things you want in life? Granted, all great dreams don’t cost money, = but many of them do. Money buys freedom -- to travel, to retire early, to start= a business, to change careers. Putting go= als in writing gives them a formality and a starting point for the planning you mu= st do.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 2. To evaluate your risk tolerance: = One of the most beneficial things financial planners do is help you articulate your financial goals and establish (or re-establish) your tolerance for risk. Ma= ny individuals would benefit from an analysis of how much risk they want -- or need -- to take given what they want to achieve with their money. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 3. To track your spending: If you haven’t set u= p a reliable accounting method, this is the year to do it. Diligent expense tracking is the first critical step to getting personal finances in order.<= /span><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 4. To consider advice on taxes and planning: = Maybe it’s time to find a financial planner and/or tax adviser with whom you can discuss your current retirement savings picture and what you can do to improve it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 5. To cut your credit card debt: Take inventory of y= our balances, figure out if you can consolidate them under your lowest-rate car= d, and resolve to pay off an amount that exceeds the minimum -- on time, every month. Oh, and pay cash from = now on.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 6. To save: If you haven’t signed up for your 401(k) plan or begun a savings plan tailored for the self-employed, this is= the year. Resolve to save at least 5-10 percent of your take-home pay based on = your cash flow, and place the maximum in whatever retirement savings plans you qualify for.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 7. Get ahead on your mortgage: This advice isnR= 17;t for everybody, but if you’ve paid off your credit cards by paying more than the minimum, you can apply the same principle to your mortgage payment. Every dollar you prepay will potentially save thousands in interest over the life of the loan if you plan to stay in your home long-term. Just don’= ;t short your retirement investment plans to accomplish this. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 8. Invest in yourself: If going back to college or taking specific coursework will help you advance in your career, plan to do= it. If investing in a health club membership that you actually makes sense for = your health as well as your insurance costs, do it. <o:p></o:p>= <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 9. To redefine the way you shop: If you’re an impulse shopper, break the habit in ’09. As a suggestion, make up a centralized shopping list -- use a single page for groceries, stock-up good= s, essential clothing or big expenditures you’ll need to make at specific times. Take the list with you wherever you spend money and don’t stray from it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 10. To attack that miscellaneous column: = Do you really need deluxe cable? How much are you paying for your Internet service? Can you wear a sweater around the house and lower the thermostat? In every budget, there are items that can be cut -- or at least trimmed. Take a hard look at all your “essentials” to see how essential they really = are. <o:p></o:p> <o:= p> </o:p> <o:p> = </o:p> <![if !vml]><img width=3D96 height=3D100 src=3D"0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/image001= .jpg" v:shapes=3D"Pc0270100"><![endif]><o:p></o:p> REBECCA WARREN FOR THE TRIBUNE <o:p></o:p> <o:= p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html> ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900 Content-Location: file:///C:/F1764A33/0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/image001.jpg Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Type: image/jpeg /9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wBDAA0JCgsKCA0LCgsODg0PEyAVExISEyccHhcgLikxMC4p LSwzOko+MzZGNywtQFdBRkxOUlNSMj5aYVpQYEpRUk//2wBDAQ4ODhMREyYVFSZPNS01T09PT09P T09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT0//wAARCABkAGADASIA AhEBAxEB/8QAGwAAAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUCBAMGBwH/xAA3EAACAgIBAgMDCgQHAAAAAAAB AgADBBEFITESE0EGUWEUIjJCUnGBkZLBI1ShsQcVM1Nyk9H/xAAYAQEBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AwIBBP/EAB8RAAICAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEhMQMSEyJBUf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A6dCEIAQh KfJ8jTx2P5tvUnoq++G6BcJAGydCYLs3FpXxW3oo1vvNG5f2gvzOjk1VdvCjH+s16/kK6tgs7qdj vJeS9G+n6dQr5zjLH8KZSk/cYwR1dQyMGU+oM4tTmVtsK7AfDvG/HcvnYjeKjItVNdmOwfwne9bH X8OpwizhOYp5Wg+EeG5APGn7iM5tOzAQhCdAQhCAE0r2lymzcgK+kqpdl799HvGntVzY4+gY9J3d Z0Ovqiae1rZD/wATfl1999yZHkl8KQj9F2S7sdIiBfeeu4pyGfxa0NfCbTVjeYNhT1P5CYrOHGRa xUfNExHlUcMo+Ns1bHDebtW8P4RuLLPKBYIR9oiXW4ArW5C60fdKD4JxywB9O033jIz43EacNn3c dnVZNZRiOjKp+kvqJ0jjOTxeUoNuK+/CdOp7qfcZyHRqsC/WB7iOvZvl04vmvHcxFdw8L6YAfedz UcGHk6hCY8e+rJoS6lw9bjasPWZJQwEjYgsrKEkb9RJQgHO+Zq3yd9ZYsK277keORMzN8nwkInU9 O8Ze0mAuFlNkqdi30MWez4tGRdaihgx11Pxnmks5PRF4NlXHoX5oQCeHFUHaLoGK+RyUrPh8i6xt d0JElxuV4HCl7Cr/AFG9PxmHBbNplzIxyKyAIhzMAWB9bDbPWXs/kWNrV13MnhPUBd/tKQyVs6LZ YX9fEuv2nOn1By+CDKqGPcgtJOpgeoi/buVHcfES7zmiayyHfvE84vBfk8mrGpDO++2x29ZeKwRe zqHs/v8AyLC2rLqoDTDRjCeKAFAA0AO3unssSCEIQBXz3HrnYfXunXpEPGY61XeWqaUjv8ZuRGxo xRfhPRYXrClGbe/dJckLdleOVYKjYmgXDgevbcqCivzCUIL/AJTNyGS1Q021Q9zMFN1N1fjqxrXH UeNVGv7yaV6L6yLvKAzWVj85vWWbsIJp20T7xMGSy4+7TjXKN/SYD/2Wa7nyMdSoOiOm5ySO2mJe SxhZWGb6K7O40/w/4i1WPKMyrWfEiAdS0wrjvyuS3G0ErYNMxI+b4d9Zu/HYaYGDVi1hQEGvmjWz 75aCweabLMIQlCYQhCAEhdWLaypJEnCAI8ujxIUYfgR3EVjjBVs4uZbjg9SoPSO+TYpePD3Kyh49 n+JWT90gvV0emLtCXJ4xXtV8nKa8j0aXy61YoBHRB0kMtt2aWsiSwqxbm0Jf9BmAI984/Zmm0kZf ZHjcpL7OUuZVW8EBCvXW+82ueKoVQqgADoAJ7LpUeVuwhCE6cCExZGRTjVmy+xUUepmvch7Vqqsn HY72OPr2Lpfy7/2nUmwbNKd/J41J8IfzH9ydf6zTsDls3KybVyrrWDfOC/VHw1GBt+cAia+OpKc3 F0Vhx9lZfuyGyLmdgB00B7pKobU7GzMFFbGssQd+ss16DaIPaSbvJWqVIo5dQ8zYGtytmbrqUqdF SDsdwY0vQHTAHpF+ShtqYkdz6QFoz4ntBlV6GTUL0+2nRvy7H+karznGFFZ8pKyzBQr9Ds/D95p5 yDiBi4Oh2Goizb7MvIJsB8G/QdRK8TlLZLlUY6OvA7GxCctweVy+PZfkd2V4R9UgFT+HabnwXtNX yVy4uRSaMgja/ZbXf7pZxokPHqrs/wBStG/5Dcj8lx/5er9AhCZB4MXGU7XHqB94QSXkU/7SfpEI QCXloBoIuvuh5afYX8oQihYeWn2F/KeeTVrXlJ+kQhAsi2Ljt9LHqP3oJD5Dh/ylH/WIQgEhh4o7 Y1P6BPVxcdWDLRUGHYhBsQhAP//Z ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900 Content-Location: file:///C:/F1764A33/0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/filelist.xml Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/xml; charset="utf-8" <xml xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"> <o:MainFile HRef=3D"../0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutio= ns.htm"/> <o:File HRef=3D"image001.jpg"/> <o:File HRef=3D"filelist.xml"/> </xml> ------=_NextPart

MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900" This document is a Single File Web Page, also known as a Web Archive file. If you are seeing this message, your browser or editor doesn't support Web Archive files. Please download a browser that supports Web Archive, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900 Content-Location: file:///C:/F1764A33/0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" After a turbulent 2008, make some New Year’s resolutions </tit= le> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name=3D"place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=3DEN-US style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=3DSection1> <o:p> </o:p> BUSINESS </sp= an>WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2008 = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; TRIBUNE<o:p></o:p> <o:p> = ;</o:p> Afte= r a turbulent 2008, make some New Year’s resolutions <o:p></o:p>= <o:p> </o:p> REBECCA WARREN is a certified financial planner and certified senior adviser in <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Mesa</st1:pl= ace></st1:City>. She can be reached at (480) 357-8380 or by e-mail at <= span class=3DGramE>rebecca@ warrenfinancialservices.com. <o:p></o:= p> <o:p> </o:p> Money isn’t everyone’s No. 1 worry, but if it’s yours, why not consider the following New Year’s resolutions to improve your financial life?</spa= n><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> Resolve:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 1. To write down your goals: Have you ever written down the big things you want in life? Granted, all great dreams don’t cost money, = but many of them do. Money buys freedom -- to travel, to retire early, to start= a business, to change careers. Putting go= als in writing gives them a formality and a starting point for the planning you mu= st do.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 2. To evaluate your risk tolerance: = One of the most beneficial things financial planners do is help you articulate your financial goals and establish (or re-establish) your tolerance for risk. Ma= ny individuals would benefit from an analysis of how much risk they want -- or need -- to take given what they want to achieve with their money. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 3. To track your spending: If you haven’t set u= p a reliable accounting method, this is the year to do it. Diligent expense tracking is the first critical step to getting personal finances in order.<= /span><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 4. To consider advice on taxes and planning: = Maybe it’s time to find a financial planner and/or tax adviser with whom you can discuss your current retirement savings picture and what you can do to improve it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 5. To cut your credit card debt: Take inventory of y= our balances, figure out if you can consolidate them under your lowest-rate car= d, and resolve to pay off an amount that exceeds the minimum -- on time, every month. Oh, and pay cash from = now on.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 6. To save: If you haven’t signed up for your 401(k) plan or begun a savings plan tailored for the self-employed, this is= the year. Resolve to save at least 5-10 percent of your take-home pay based on = your cash flow, and place the maximum in whatever retirement savings plans you qualify for.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 7. Get ahead on your mortgage: This advice isnR= 17;t for everybody, but if you’ve paid off your credit cards by paying more than the minimum, you can apply the same principle to your mortgage payment. Every dollar you prepay will potentially save thousands in interest over the life of the loan if you plan to stay in your home long-term. Just don’= ;t short your retirement investment plans to accomplish this. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 8. Invest in yourself: If going back to college or taking specific coursework will help you advance in your career, plan to do= it. If investing in a health club membership that you actually makes sense for = your health as well as your insurance costs, do it. <o:p></o:p>= <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 9. To redefine the way you shop: If you’re an impulse shopper, break the habit in ’09. As a suggestion, make up a centralized shopping list -- use a single page for groceries, stock-up good= s, essential clothing or big expenditures you’ll need to make at specific times. Take the list with you wherever you spend money and don’t stray from it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p><= /p> 10. To attack that miscellaneous column: = Do you really need deluxe cable? How much are you paying for your Internet service? Can you wear a sweater around the house and lower the thermostat? In every budget, there are items that can be cut -- or at least trimmed. Take a hard look at all your “essentials” to see how essential they really = are. <o:p></o:p> <o:= p> </o:p> <o:p> = </o:p> <![if !vml]><img width=3D96 height=3D100 src=3D"0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/image001= .jpg" v:shapes=3D"Pc0270100"><![endif]><o:p></o:p> REBECCA WARREN FOR THE TRIBUNE <o:p></o:p> <o:= p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html> ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900 Content-Location: file:///C:/F1764A33/0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/image001.jpg Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Type: image/jpeg /9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wBDAA0JCgsKCA0LCgsODg0PEyAVExISEyccHhcgLikxMC4p LSwzOko+MzZGNywtQFdBRkxOUlNSMj5aYVpQYEpRUk//2wBDAQ4ODhMREyYVFSZPNS01T09PT09P T09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT09PT0//wAARCABkAGADASIA AhEBAxEB/8QAGwAAAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUCBAMGBwH/xAA3EAACAgIBAgMDCgQHAAAAAAAB AgADBBEFITESE0EGUWEUIjJCUnGBkZLBI1ShsQcVM1Nyk9H/xAAYAQEBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AwIBBP/EAB8RAAICAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEhMQMSEyJBUf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A6dCEIAQh KfJ8jTx2P5tvUnoq++G6BcJAGydCYLs3FpXxW3oo1vvNG5f2gvzOjk1VdvCjH+s16/kK6tgs7qdj vJeS9G+n6dQr5zjLH8KZSk/cYwR1dQyMGU+oM4tTmVtsK7AfDvG/HcvnYjeKjItVNdmOwfwne9bH X8OpwizhOYp5Wg+EeG5APGn7iM5tOzAQhCdAQhCAE0r2lymzcgK+kqpdl799HvGntVzY4+gY9J3d Z0Ovqiae1rZD/wATfl1999yZHkl8KQj9F2S7sdIiBfeeu4pyGfxa0NfCbTVjeYNhT1P5CYrOHGRa xUfNExHlUcMo+Ns1bHDebtW8P4RuLLPKBYIR9oiXW4ArW5C60fdKD4JxywB9O033jIz43EacNn3c dnVZNZRiOjKp+kvqJ0jjOTxeUoNuK+/CdOp7qfcZyHRqsC/WB7iOvZvl04vmvHcxFdw8L6YAfedz UcGHk6hCY8e+rJoS6lw9bjasPWZJQwEjYgsrKEkb9RJQgHO+Zq3yd9ZYsK277keORMzN8nwkInU9 O8Ze0mAuFlNkqdi30MWez4tGRdaihgx11Pxnmks5PRF4NlXHoX5oQCeHFUHaLoGK+RyUrPh8i6xt d0JElxuV4HCl7Cr/AFG9PxmHBbNplzIxyKyAIhzMAWB9bDbPWXs/kWNrV13MnhPUBd/tKQyVs6LZ YX9fEuv2nOn1By+CDKqGPcgtJOpgeoi/buVHcfES7zmiayyHfvE84vBfk8mrGpDO++2x29ZeKwRe zqHs/v8AyLC2rLqoDTDRjCeKAFAA0AO3unssSCEIQBXz3HrnYfXunXpEPGY61XeWqaUjv8ZuRGxo xRfhPRYXrClGbe/dJckLdleOVYKjYmgXDgevbcqCivzCUIL/AJTNyGS1Q021Q9zMFN1N1fjqxrXH UeNVGv7yaV6L6yLvKAzWVj85vWWbsIJp20T7xMGSy4+7TjXKN/SYD/2Wa7nyMdSoOiOm5ySO2mJe SxhZWGb6K7O40/w/4i1WPKMyrWfEiAdS0wrjvyuS3G0ErYNMxI+b4d9Zu/HYaYGDVi1hQEGvmjWz 75aCweabLMIQlCYQhCAEhdWLaypJEnCAI8ujxIUYfgR3EVjjBVs4uZbjg9SoPSO+TYpePD3Kyh49 n+JWT90gvV0emLtCXJ4xXtV8nKa8j0aXy61YoBHRB0kMtt2aWsiSwqxbm0Jf9BmAI984/Zmm0kZf ZHjcpL7OUuZVW8EBCvXW+82ueKoVQqgADoAJ7LpUeVuwhCE6cCExZGRTjVmy+xUUepmvch7Vqqsn HY72OPr2Lpfy7/2nUmwbNKd/J41J8IfzH9ydf6zTsDls3KybVyrrWDfOC/VHw1GBt+cAia+OpKc3 F0Vhx9lZfuyGyLmdgB00B7pKobU7GzMFFbGssQd+ss16DaIPaSbvJWqVIo5dQ8zYGtytmbrqUqdF SDsdwY0vQHTAHpF+ShtqYkdz6QFoz4ntBlV6GTUL0+2nRvy7H+karznGFFZ8pKyzBQr9Ds/D95p5 yDiBi4Oh2Goizb7MvIJsB8G/QdRK8TlLZLlUY6OvA7GxCctweVy+PZfkd2V4R9UgFT+HabnwXtNX yVy4uRSaMgja/ZbXf7pZxokPHqrs/wBStG/5Dcj8lx/5er9AhCZB4MXGU7XHqB94QSXkU/7SfpEI QCXloBoIuvuh5afYX8oQihYeWn2F/KeeTVrXlJ+kQhAsi2Ljt9LHqP3oJD5Dh/ylH/WIQgEhh4o7 Y1P6BPVxcdWDLRUGHYhBsQhAP//Z ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900 Content-Location: file:///C:/F1764A33/0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutions_files/filelist.xml Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/xml; charset="utf-8" <xml xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"> <o:MainFile HRef=3D"../0812RevAfteraturbulent2008makesomeNewYearsresolutio= ns.htm"/> <o:File HRef=3D"image001.jpg"/> <o:File HRef=3D"filelist.xml"/> </xml> ------=_NextPart_01C97C14.5DE30900--