January 2014

Smith’s Monthly UpdateNews and Information to Keep You Informed

TIPS FOR CREATING A HOUSEHOLD BUDGETThe start of a new year is always a good time to consider ways to better manage your money. A well-designed family budget puts your money to work where it makes the most sense. Below are tips to help you put together a simple household budget that will let you track and control your spending.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - You can harness the power of Excel spreadsheets or other software pro-grams, but there is also nothing wrong with using pencil and paper. The main objective is to figure out whether you need or want to redirect your money toward priorities you consider important.

SET GOALS - Divide your goals into short- and long-term categories. Short-term goals might include buying a new pair of shoes next week or choosing only eating out twice a week this month. Your short-term thriftiness will pay off when you start thinking about long-term budgeting goals. Long-term goals might include a vacation the following spring that eating in more made possible. This category should also include expenses you know are necessary, like being sure you have a ‘holiday fund’.

RECORD YOUR TOTAL TAKE-home monthly income - Write down what you earn and be sure to include all sources of income. Write down your essential expenses - Start with fixed bills like rent, mortgage, car pay-ment, credit card debt, and insurance, and then factor in other monthly costs that are always the same. These are your essential fixed expenses.

LIST YOUR ESSENTIAL VARIABLE EXPENSES - You know you will always have these bills, but the amounts vary. Examples are your phone, utilities, food, household expenses, gaso-line, medication, public transportation, shoes, and clothing. You can assign an estimat-ed amount List reasonable amounts for nonessential expenses - These expenses include entertainment, eating out, hobbies, and other ways you spend money on a regular basis.

FIND THE EXTRAS - Go to your current method of tracking spending to see what expenses you have left out. For items that do not recur monthly, determine the annual cost, and then divide by 12 to see how much you should set aside each month Figure out your totals - Add up your expenses, and then subtract that amount from your income.

SEE WHERE YOU CAN CUT - If you came up short, go back to your projected monthly ex-penses and see what you can eliminate. Look first to your nonessential expenses. Which items can you remove altogether for a while?

FOLLOW YOUR SPENDING PLAN AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE - Track your spending every day by posting it on a sheet of paper. Take notes and research ways you will be able to do even better next month. At month’s end, add up your actual spending and compare it with what you planned to spend. Use this information to create the next month’s spend-ing plan.

Citations:1. http://www.today.com/id/20072930/ns/today-money/t/build-family-budget-actually-works/#.UsYj3LTLe1o 2. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/parenting/family-time/dollar-sense-10-tips-create-household-budget-works 3. http://www.womansday.com/life/saving-money/how-to-create-a-household-budget-71585

In This Issue

Quote of the Month

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Tips for creating a house-hold budget

Tips for Saving Money On Winter Travel

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-John Smith

John Smith1000 W Belle Ave.

Columbia, MO 65203

P:300.444.1357F: 300.444.1356

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www.example.com

January 2014

It is great to take a little time away amid the winter doldrums. Winter can be the most cost-effective time of year to book a vacation, before the summer travel season heats up. Below are some tips that can help you save money on your winter travel.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL EARLY - Whether you are booking flights, hotels, or rental cars, the general rule is the earlier you book, the better price you will get. Use travel sites to set alerts about the locations of your choice.

EXPLORE PACKAGE DEALS - If you know you will be purchasing flights, lodging, and a rental car, look into bundling all of them in one package. Bundling can save you money and simplify your booking. Third-party travel sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline are great places to find deals

LOYALTY PAYS OFF - Frequent stays at one lodging chain can help you score perks, upgrades, and deals. The same is true for airlines. If you have to travel for work or other reasons throughout the year, accumulating points and fre-quent flyer miles through loyalty programs can help you save on vacations.

TAKE AN EARLY SPRING BREAK - Cruises and vacations to popular spring break destinations are often more afford-able and less crowded during the first three months of the year

BOOK A HOME AWAY FROM HOME - Consider staying in privately owned homes and apartments through trusted websites like vrbo.com where you can find unique lodging at rates that are competitive and often less expensive than traditional options.

AVOID RENTING A CAR AT THE AIRPORT - Airport car rentals are almost always more expensive. Review what others are saying - Online travel communities can help you find the best deals, as well as deliver general travel advice that can help make your trip great.

Tips for Saving Money on Winter Travel

Citations:1. http://www.youramazingplaces.com/10-tips-to-save-on-winter-holidays/ 2. http://www.fodors.com/news/budget-travel-tips-winter-6200.html 3. http://foxvalleymagazine.com/travel/near-dear/17544-top-6-tips-to-save-money-on-winter-travel.html 4. http://frockfiles.com/2013/09/05/budget-travel-tips-holidays/

DisclosuresIt is great to take a little time away amid the winter doldrums. Winter can be the most cost-effective time of year to book a va-cation, before the summer travel season heats up. Below are some tips that can help you save money on your winter travel.

JOHN SMITH • SECURE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS1000 W Belle Ave. Columbia, MO 65203 | P:300.444.1357 | F: 300.444.1356

smith@example.com | www.example.com