WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.

Keep More Money In Your Pocket

April is here and that means tax time.

Hopefully you aren’t waiting until the last minute to file, but if you’re one of those special people who enjoy the thrill of rushing to the post office as the clock ticks toward midnight on April 15, then more power to you!

If you filed early, and already have your refund, take a bow. Take two bows if you banked or invested the money.

Many people feel like they have to splurge on themselves after cashing their refund check, but this month’s Healthy Living has me thinking that perhaps we should resist the urge until we figure out how to maximize our windfall.

I like to spend as much as the next person, but this month’s interviews with consumer warrior Clark Howard and retired financial planner Joe Dykes has me rethinking the I-have-to-run-outand-buy-something-big-because-Ideserve-it! approach.

I’m guessing that Clark would find a way to make the money go twice as far by buying used or off brands, or by negotiating the best deal possible on what he has his eye on. And who am I to argue with his frugal ways? The guy is worth $15 million!

And Joe Dykes would invest –conservatively.

Both experts would tell you to make your money work for you.

Do you have a budget? A retirement savings program? Are you paying yourself before you pay bills?

If you answered “no” to any of those questions, you should rethink your approach to money. Saving as little as $50 from each paycheck could impact your life for the better. In a year or two, it could mean a down payment on a car, a nice vacation, a gift for someone in need or the foundation of a financial portfolio.

Here’s hoping we’ll all get smarter with our hard-earned money. Please take time to read our profile of Clark Howard and Joe Dyke’s views on working with a financial planner.

Many of us had to tighten our belts when the economy sputtered and now that things are better, we’re ready to reward ourselves. And that’s okay, but maybe we should splurge a little less and save a little more.

Let’s all be “Clark Smart” and “Dykes Decisive.”

And let’s not neglect the other pillars of a happy life – mind, body and spirit. Read a book, join a gym, set goals and surround yourself with people who will help you attain them.

Now that’s Healthy Living!

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

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