Press Release

New Year's Financial Check-Up

If you are reading this, you have already taken the first step to becoming debt free and living a better life. Congratulations! Your bills, however, are not the only areas of concern as you move toward your goal of financial stability. There are many items of information that can impact how successful your future is - or is not. While this list is not exhaustive, the following are some important steps you can take right now:

Review Credit Report
Your credit report can be one of the most important documents impacting your finances. An error in your credit report can cause an increase in interest rates, cancellation of credit lines, loss of a job or change in the terms of insurance. You should review your credit report at all three of the major credit reporting agencies: Trans Union, Experian and Equifax. If there are any errors or information you don't agree with you should dispute the data with the respective agency. Be sure to check balances, whether accounts are open or closed and anyone who has accessed your credit report.

Review Social Security Records
Each year the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends you a statement of your current and past earnings that will determine what your social security benefits are in the future. If the SSA records are not accurate, you may not receive all the benefits to which you are entitled - or those for your family in instances of death or disability.

Review Paycheck Tax Withholding
A quick review of your paycheck can give you more cash or keep you from having to pay at the end of the year. If you are paying too much toward withholding, you should change your tax status to have less taken from your paycheck - remember, the government doesn't pay you interest on your money if you overpay your taxes. If you have to pay at the end of the year, you may want to adjust your withholding to have more taken out of your paycheck - this avoids having to come up with money at the end of the year.

Take Time to Learn About Money and Financial Management
There are many good resources to learn better financial management skills. Your local library is filled with many good books and there may be courses offered through a community college or similar institution.

Taking the time now to resolve financial problems can save you time, money and headaches down the road.


	New Year's Financial Check-Up If you are reading this, you have already taken the first step to becoming debt free and living a better life. Congratulations! Your bills, however, are not the only areas of concern as you move toward your goal of financial stability. There are many items of information that can impact how successful your future is - or is not. While this list is not exhaustive, the following are some important steps you can take right now: Review Credit Report Your credit report can be one of the most important documents impacting your finances. An error in your credit report can cause an increase in interest rates, cancellation of credit lines, loss of a job or change in the terms of insurance. You should review your credit report at all three of the major credit reporting agencies: Trans Union, Experian and Equifax. If there are any errors or information you don't agree with you should dispute the data with the respective agency. Be sure to check balances, whether accounts are open or closed and anyone who has accessed your credit report. Review Social Security Records Each year the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends you a statement of your current and past earnings that will determine what your social security benefits are in the future. If the SSA records are not accurate, you may not receive all the benefits to which you are entitled - or those for your family in instances of death or disability. Review Paycheck Tax Withholding A quick review of your paycheck can give you more cash or keep you from having to pay at the end of the year. If you are paying too much toward withholding, you should change your tax status to have less taken from your paycheck - remember, the government doesn't pay you interest on your money if you overpay your taxes. If you have to pay at the end of the year, you may want to adjust your withholding to have more taken out of your paycheck - this avoids having to come up with money at the end of the year. Take Time to Learn About Money and Financial Management There are many good resources to learn better financial management skills. Your local library is filled with many good books and there may be courses offered through a community college or similar institution. Taking the time now to resolve financial problems can save you time, money and headaches down the road.