Are you completely satisfied with your finances? Most of us wish we could do even better. But don't just wish things were different -- Now is the perfect time to take some action and set some financial goals for the new year.
It's important to set financial goals, according to Credit Counseling of Arkansas' website.
Since 1995, CCOA Inc. has been a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the financial stress in one's life through free credit and housing counseling, free seminars, credit report reviews and a Debt Management Program that can reduce interest rates, stop late fees and stop collection calls.
Otherwise, as the saying goes, states CCOA, "If you aim at nothing, you'll probably hit it."
Don't overwhelm yourself with setting too many goals -- aim for perhaps six to 12, according to the website. Any more goals and you run the risk of being discouraged by taking on more than you can do. So choose however many you feel is challenging yet realistic for you to accomplish. Write the goals down. People who write down their goals are more likely to be successful in achieving them than people who just have goals in their head. When we see the goals, it serves as a reminder and encourages us to keep working at them.
Make sure your goals are specific. "I want to have some money in savings" is too vague. "I want to have $1,000 in savings by the end of April" is a good, specific goal -- you have a specific amount and a deadline to achieve it.
Creating specific, written financial goals is a great way to take charge of your finances for 2015, according to the website.
CCOA's credit counseling is available in-office, 614 E. Emma Ave., Springdale, by telephone 479-521-8877 or 1-800-889-4916 and online at www.ccoacares.com.
The non-profit organization offers free education and seminars to the community as well as free budget and credit counseling. CCOA also offers bankruptcy counseling and education, housing counseling, mortgage delinquency counseling, reverse mortgage counseling and credit report reviews.
Credit Counseling of Arkansas has clients in Washington County and throughout the country.
Business on 01/21/2015