Clerestory Advisors - Enlightened Financial Planning

Lifestyle Tips Archive

Summer/Fall 2009

• Most people have a relatively large car loan, which can strain their budget, or they have a fully paid for car and get used to no car loan payment. To avoid a bumpy cash road, always assume a car loan payment whether you have one or not. When you pay off your loan, keep making the payment into a high yield savings account through automatic payroll deduction. For example, assume you buy a car every eight years and, with trade-in, you need a loan of $15,000 for your next car purchase. Using 5.0% over four years your loan payment would be about $350 a month. When the loan is paid for in four years from now continue making this $350 payment into your "car savings account." After four years, you will have saved over $17,000 plus interest to use as your next down-payment.

Spring 2009

• In the spirit of this Spring season, a relatively pain free way to "green" (grow) your retirement savings is to increase your 401(k) contribution percentage by 1-2% each year when you get your annual raise. After tax, this would likely be less than a third of most raise amounts. Before you know it you see that retirement account sprout and bloom before your very eyes.

January 2009

• Want to get more organized? Check out:
  www.cozi.com – Free online tool with a family calendar, to-do lists, grocery and menu planning all wrapped into one!
  www.rememberthemilk.com – Don't forget another thing! Accessible from your phone, Google calendar, PDA or other devices, this online tool is a great way to keep track of your tasks!
  
  
• Need to get in shape or watch your diet? Check out:
  www.sparkpeople.com – Free online personalized diet and fitness tool with great supportive community, online tracking and exercise demos.
  www.traineo.com – Simple website that gives you the support and motivation you need to reach all your health and fitness goals.
  
  
• Need to start budgeting your money and tracking your spending? Check out:
  www.mvelopes.com – Personal finance and spending management system.
  www.mint.com – Manage your money more efficiently and reach your financial goals.
  
  
• Want to start giving back and be aware of global issues? Check out:
  www.seva.org – For thirty years now, Seva has served people around the world who are struggling for health, cultural survival and sustainable communities. They call it compassion in action.
  www.heifer.org – An organization dedicated to ending hunger and caring for the Earth.
  
  
• Need help with everything? Check out:
  www.stickk.com – Ready to finally stickK to your commitments? Then stand up, and put your reputation, or even your money, where your mouth is, and change your life. Reap the rewards of your hard work.

December 2008

• Check out fun things to do this holiday season at Hello Minneapolis.
  
  
• Take a break from the holiday chaos and take the family to The Depot in Minneapolis for an afternoon of indoor skating or get wet at the water park. Afterwards, head to Nicollet Avenue to take in the annual Holidazzle Parade.
  
  
• Head out to cut down your own Christmas tree! Grab the thermos and your saw for a fun afternoon letting the kids stomp through the snow to find just the right tree at one of the area's cut-your-own farms.
  
  
• Fostering a charitable spirit is a wonderful gift to give your children. Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend has a great idea for you to show your children that sometimes it truly is better to give than to receive. At Christmas he suggests giving each child a check, in whatever amount your budget allows for, that your child can donate to the charity of their choice. In the memo section of the check write the child's name and share check (i.e. Amy's share check). With your help, research different causes and nonprofits your child is interested in and help them make a special donation to something or someone they want to help. It could be the start of a philanthropic life!