For my final column of 2008, I asked several Minnesota money experts for their No. 1 piece of financial advice going into the new year. The list was practical, inspiring and popular with readers. So I thought I'd make it an annual tradition. This year, I turned my column over to a new group of wise money minds who shared advice on paying down debt, investing for the future and being honest with yourself and your spouse when it comes to your household's kitchen table economics. Here are their bits of wisdom for 2010. To share your own, visit www.startribune.com/kablog.
Carrie Rocha, founder of Pocketyourdollars.com in Maple Grove: Yes, we know that we should make a budget, then live within it to change our financial destiny. Why then, do so few of us do it? It isn't lack of information, but often a paralysis because of our emotional state. Maybe we are overwhelmed with debt and feel like it'll never change. Maybe we are in denial that we are living beyond our means. Maybe we fear being poor. Whatever the case, get honest with yourself and take responsibility for your situation. From there you can take a meaningful first step toward change.
Byron Anfinson, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis: Agreement between my wife, Heidi, and I was our first step in paying off $45,000 in consumer debt. We both got to the point where we had had enough. I worked a lot, Heidi cut our budget a lot, we skipped vacations and prayed a lot. We still stumbled and had smaller disagreements, but our focus was clear. Aside from our house, we became debt-free in 2008 after just nine months.
Brian Kompelien, principal, Ensemble Plan in Minneapolis: Something happens when you put a plan to paper. Somehow, it seems to better your chances of accomplishing your goals. And, if you take this a step further by adding detail of what you're going to do to achieve your goals, your odds of success increase because now you have a clear vision of what needs to be done. Once you have your plan, it needs to be revisited, adjusted and maybe even rewritten as time goes on. A plan is only as good as what you do with it.
Jim Eisenreich, high school teacher and president, Minnesota Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy: Designate as much as 10 percent of your paycheck to go to a Roth Individual Retirement Account. The maximum allowed is $5,000 for 2010 but if you are at least age 50 you can contribute as much as $6,000. Setting up a Roth IRA account is a very simple procedure that can be done at banks, credit unions or other financial service providers. Why not start earning tax-free income for the rest of your life?
Katherine Forrester Wirth, wealth management adviser, Northwestern Mutual in Minnetonka: Regardless of how difficult the last few years have been, or how much debt you might have, keep saving and investing. Challenging times are likely to strike again, so being consistent and disciplined in your saving habits can be a great way to ward off future upsets and to build for the long term. Small contributions can add up to be invaluable.
Lee Wenzel, owner of Wenzel Analytics in Eden Prairie: Go ahead and save $20 by eating out at Taco Bell, but meanwhile did you unnecessarily give up $2,000 today by neglecting your investment allocation? Pay attention to the little things. Also pay attention to the investment decisions that will determine your financial security down the road. Over a lifetime, most wealth comes from returns on assets, not working for a living. If you are worried about the U.S. economy or the U.S. dollar -- or even if you are not -- what is your allocation to investments dependent upon other currencies such as EWZ for Brazil or even Caterpillar, John Deere, 3M and even Taco Bell (YUM)?
Janet Stanzak, Certified Financial Planner, and National Financial Planning Association board member: We're all looking for someone who can tell us what the future holds regarding the economy, the markets. Stop looking! No one really knows what lies ahead. The most important thing we can do is plan for the certainty of uncertainty. We do this by considering possibilities and how we might adapt in various circumstances. Build flexibility into your financial plan so if you find yourself unemployed, you have reserves to carry you through. If the markets take another tumble, your portfolio has protection from severe loss. If you can't retire early, you have possibilities for ways to retire later. Look for opportunities, and plan for ways to adapt. You'll weather whatever 2010 holds.
