Boost Your Confidence with a Financial Plan

Looking for a silver lining in the economic slowdown? This may be it: Americans are saving more and paying off more debt. The amount of money saved in short-term savings rose 20%, retirement account investments jumped 54%, and the amount of money used to pay down debts rose 6% from August to September of 2008, according to one survey.*

Find Your Silver Lining
A financial plan isn’t just an attempt to save more and spend less. It’s a personalized strategy for accomplishing your goals. Formulating your plan can help you move confidently toward financial well-being. Your plan should include:

• A budget: Find out where your money is going and then set limits.
• Debt repayment goals: You need some credit to build a positive credit history, but make sure you’re not paying more fees and interest than principal on any debt.
• Routine retirement investments: Try to max out your individual retirement account (IRA) or employee
  401(k) plan every year.**
• Automatic savings: Directly deposit at least 5% of your salary into a separate account.
• Up-to-date insurance and will: Take care of your loved ones now and in the future.
• A second opinion: A professional financial advisor can help ensure that your newfound confidence is based in reality.

Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free 866.512.6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. FR020904-0196

Article content developed by Priority, Inc. distributed by Endura Financial Investment Services, located at Endura Financial Federal Credit Union. Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable. CBSI makes no representation as to their accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of CBSI or Endura Financial Investment Services.