Fiscal Lens

Are you taking the time necessary to properly manage your money? For most people I talk to and hear from, the answer is no.

For younger professionals (and I have seven kids that fall into this group), having a proper budget is key to understanding and maximizing your savings potential and knowing how much you can afford to spend.

Looking back on my prime earning years, my biggest regret is not doing a better job maximizing and managing my 401k and other investments. Like most of you, I had other individuals, firms or funds manage everything. Looking back, I likely could have earned an extra 20-50% had I just spent a few minutes per day paying attention to performance and considering all of my options.

Finally, for my group of 50- to 60-year-olds, retirement planning is all about the math. How much you have, how much you want to spend and how long you need it to last. That and a couple of other considerations like inflation, rate-of-return and social security timing and you have a plan.

Spend a few minutes each day or at least each week working on your financial health. You work(ed) hard to make it, so work hard to maximize its value and longevity.

Fiscal Lens makes it simple to develop, track and manage your plan with just a few minutes per week. I hear this all the time: "I have people who do that for me." That's great, but you should be checking their work. It's your money after all.