Budget

Our behaviors produce the results we see in our lives.

I don’t know about you, but for me every paycheck is like a mini Christmas that ends nearly immediately when reality sets in. Bills, rent and saving for retirement makes every payday a budgeting reality. So in these times, it’s important to take some relatively easy steps to stretch your budget.

Nearly every day, we’re told that saving is the key to financial success. But for many, living paycheck to paycheck isn’t just unavoidable but a reality faced every month. But there is hope, and there are many easy to use tools to help you make your financial goals a reality.

Regardless of your age, the thought of not having to work, but still enjoying a great quality of life is probably quite appealing. Retirement sneaks up on you as each year goes by faster and faster.

I don’t spend a lot of time offering specific market commentary at Financial Planning Fort Collins.  I think there are a lot of places and a lot of personalities that can offer plenty of very fine commentary for you to enjoy, if that's your thing.  But when bigger picture things happen, I will try to put them into context, as much as possible.

Which segues into interest rates, and bonds.  Interest rates have recently made a sharp move higher.  In early May the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was at a yield of 1.66%, near the all-time lows hit in July of 2012.  The difference between this year and last is that in just over a month the yield on that 10-year T-note has snapped up to around 2.20%.  On a relative basis, that's a big move for the bond market - yields moved up by nearly 1/3rd in around 30 days.¹