The website CNNMoney reported back in May that a shocking number of Americans, 49% to be exact, are not setting aside funds for retirement. In a country where 77 million baby boomers will reach retirement age within the next 20 years, that is a chilling statistic. The Life Insurance and Market Research Association, known as LIMRA, conducted the survey cited by CNNMoney.
A June 12th article in the Fiscal Times noted that, in the US, “10,000 people reach retirement age every day, while 401(k) accounts have been drained by the recession, pension funds are strained, and social security funds are near the breaking point.”
As a whole, Americans have gotten out of the practice of saving money. In tougher economic times, the percentage of savings from disposable income was much higher. Between 1960 and 1980, our personal savings average was 14.6%. Of those Americans who are managing to save a bit for their Golden Years, the average amount is 5.8%, which falls far behind other countries such as Austria, Australia, Portugal, Germany, and Sweden, where putting aside 9% of one’s disposable income is standard.
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These days, more people than ever are becoming “green-conscious” and doing their parts to help out the planet and become less dependent on finite energy sources. One of the most promising, popular, and viable forms of alternative energy is solar power, and both homeowners and businesses alike have adopted it as a simple, effective way of bettering the environment. Like anything else, though, there are some pros and cons to consider, so before you decide to go solar we will list a few of them to help you make an informed decision.
If you’re thinking of giving your home an eco friendly makeover, take a look at these popular “green” home features:
Statistics from the US Census Bureau show that on average, 14% of the population relocates each year. Whether you have plans to move across town, to the next county, or several states away, there are steps to take to save money on moving expenses. Choosing to use a professional moving company can alleviate stress and streamline the process. However, if you are a confident driver and have a few friends to help, renting the van and having a DIY move will save you hundreds of dollars. If that idea is not appealing, here are 3 more!
You do have choices when it comes to homeowners insurance! Before choosing a home insurance provider, do your homework. It could save you several hundred dollars annually. Here are five tips to help you be an informed consumer when it comes to insuring your home.
“Going green” does not have to mean starting over with sustainable building materials and solar panels. There are many simple ways to become more environmentally conscious. The good news is that you can begin the practice at home, and you may be surprised to find that “being green” often helps save some green! Here are 7 tips to get you started.
It can take considerable effort to live beneath ones means, or to spend less than you make, but this is crucial for building wealth. Most Americans have something they want to save for, be it a rainy day, retirement, a vacation, next year’s holiday gifts, or a child’s education (maybe even all of these!) The tough part can be deciding how to allocate the funds left over each month after all the bills are paid and essentials are purchased. Should that extra money be saved? Should it be invested? Should it be used to pay down debt? The answer is extremely personal and no one can make this decision for you, but here are some factors to look at.
If you are like many environmentally conscious Americans, you are always looking for ways to save money while reducing your environmental impact. Heather Levin of US News and World Report recently wrote an article on some easy things that you can do around your home to encourage green living and reduce your carbon footprint. Her first tip is to reduce and monitor energy use. Devices such as Kill-A-Watt can help you track energy usage and find out where you might be wasting energy within your home. Her second recommendation is to consider taking on a roommate if you have the space. Ms. Levin highlighted a study conducted by SMR Research which found that single-person households have grown by 350%+ since 1960. She noted that people who live by themselves use close to 18% more energy than people living with one additional person and close to 52% more than thee person households. 
As the new year quickly approaches, this is a great time to work on getting your financial house in order. With so much to do during the months of November and December, it’s important to prioritize your budget and finances to ensure that you can save as much money as possible and keep your big picture finances working for you.
Do you have a friend or family member who regularly immerses him or herself in managing their investments, balancing the checkbook, or setting personal fiscal goals and budgets? We know some people like that, too! 
