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Planning

People Fail at Financial New Year’s Resolutions

by Luke Landes

As the end of the year draws near, it’s a widespread custom for individuals to make internal promises, and call these promises “New Year’s resolutions.” The end of the year is a good time to look back on the past twelve months and determine what aspects of life did not live up to expectations and ... Continue reading this article…

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Retirement Income Rule of Thumb Debunked

by Luke Landes

To retire comfortably, you’ll need to have an income of 80 percent of your maximum pre-retirement income. That’s a common rule of thumb you hear trumpeted by financial planners. Unfortunately, it’s not accurate. It may give someone planning their retirement a basis for thinking about creating income during those years, whether from part-time work or income-producing ... Continue reading this article…

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Flexo’s 2007 Goals: Status at the Halfway Point

by Luke Landes

Back in December, I set some goals for myself for the upcoming year. Now that 2007 is halfway complete, it’s a good chance for me to take a look and see how I am doing in these particular pursuits. Income goal: Earn $40,000 in revenue outside of my day job. Stretch goal: $60,000. According to ... Continue reading this article…

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Do I Have to Declare Goals?

by Luke Landes

Tired but happy asked whether she really has to declare her goals for 2007. Last week, I wrote about goals for 2007 in three parts: Share Your Goals, The Basics, and Flexo’s 2007 Goals) and inspired those already thinking about their goals to share the details online and possibly those who weren’t thinking about goals ... Continue reading this article…

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Planning and Goal Setting Week: Flexo’s 2007 Goals

by Luke Landes

I promised I would determine and publish my goals for the upcoming year by the end of the week. Giving myself a deadline motivated me to think about it. Here are my regular and stretch goals for 2007. They are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based). I’ve tried not to include variables over which ... Continue reading this article…

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Planning and Goal Setting Week: The Basics

by Luke Landes

Before I can define my financial goals for 2007, it’s nice to review the basics. What are goals? I think Etta Mae Westbrook, a “family economics” professor, explains it well [pdf]: * Goals state what you want to do or achieve. Goals will give your life direction. Financial goals will help you to determine where ... Continue reading this article…

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Planning and Goal Setting Week: Share Your Goals

by Luke Landes

I plan to use my time this week to review my financial progress in 2006 and set some concrete goals for 2007. I’ve never been a fan of concrete goals because so far, unexpected surprises have had effects on my progress every year for my adult life, sometimes positive, but sometimes negative. This unpredictability has ... Continue reading this article…

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In Pursuit of Financial Freedom

by Luke Landes

For those of us in the United States, Independence Day is coming up. Coincidentally, Consumerism Commentary began two years ago this month. This website is also concerned with independence — financial independence. Writing here forces me to take a look at my finances. I had to take a look at the many mistakes I made ... Continue reading this article…

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