Move Faster on Your FAFSA

It’s that time of year again! I’m not talking about taxes.

You DO need your tax return, but that is only part of it. Any guesses?

It’s FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. I personally applied last year at this time and here are some of the things I learned. If you are returning to school or have a child in going or in college, you need to read this.

Deadlines: There are several deadlines that you need to take into consideration – federal, state and the college you will be attending. The federal deadline is June 30. The Connecticut deadline is February 15. Deadlines for your state can be found at fafsa.ed.gov.

How to Apply: First, you need to go to the FAFSA.gov and start your application. Online application are easy, but as with anything, take your time and enter your information correctly. Don’t hit enter yet.

Double Check Before Submitting! If you didn’t qualify, it could be because of wrong or inaccurate information. Did you know that incorrectly filled out applications is the reason why most government grants are denied?

Do Your Income Taxes Right Now: You will have to link your tax return to the application.

“Sign” Your Application: How can you provide your signature on an internet document. You will use a PIN that is provided for you when you start the application process.

Need Help? Either contact the college or university financial aid office, read the instructions directly on the FAFSA’s website or call the number listed there.

First Come, First Served: Remember, that sometimes award monies are based on first application in – first application out. The earlier you submit your application the better, as the money goes fast.

Where will you go this year? Free Travel Class in February

Learn how to travel for Nearly Free!

-> Sign up here for the full free package including handouts

-> Sign up here if you want to go directly to the Facebook group.

Learn more at jillrussofoster.com/nearlyfreetravel

See My Vision Board for 2015

I always make time during the holidays to take an assessment of my life.

How do I feel about my life in general?
Am I on track with my long term goals?
Did I complete last year’s goals?
What should I add to enrich my life?
Where can I cut back to simplify my life?

I use that to determine what I want to accomplish so I can set meaningful goals for the year. I am a visual person, so I make an outward expression of my goals with a vision board. I love giving an outlet to my creative side, and a large poster is a great reminder all that I want to achieve.

Here are my steps to creating a vision board:

List what I want to achieve this year in different areas of my life. For example, I might set separate goals for my business, my personal life, family relationships, fun and recreation, and spirituality.

Next the fun starts: I look for pictures that reflect the feeling behind my goals. I also look for words in large and colorful type face. The image has to resonate with me to earn its space on my board. I use magazines, newspapers and images that I’ve found online. Then, I cut them out (or print them) and set them aside.

Then I arrange, and rearrange, the images on the poster board until I’ve achieved an overall image that speaks to me.

Finally, I glue everything in place and display it.

Now, this is the end result for my 2015 vision board.

Start Flexing Your Financial Muscles to Make Your Dreams Come True

Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!

This month we want to help you start the year off with a fresh start featuring articles, how-to’s and resources that have helped each consultant, blogger and business owner on the hop in their own lives and businesses. Get ready to be inspired for a fabulous year ahead of you as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Deb Brown at Touch Your Client’s Heart on Natalie Bradley’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

Start Flexing Your Financial Muscles to Make Your Dreams Come True

It’s the New Year and you may have goals related to your appearance and business, but what about financial fitness? When you strengthen your “core” you’re improving your center of balance, and your money is the main center of movement for your lifestyle. If it’s in balance, everything flows from dream stage to the “I can do it” stage.

So how can you start flexing? Try these exercises:

You may not be great at them at first, but just remember how you felt in your favorite exercise class the first time you tried it – a bit slow, out of synch, not sure what came next. Now you love it, and you’ll love these too because they feel good and get you what you want most: a lifestyle that serves you.

1. Keep your credit score as high as possible.

First get your credit score for free (CreditKarma.com, Quizzle.com, CreditSesame.com). Then, take little steps over the next 12 months to increase your score. This is a new exercise, so take it slow. You can do one small thing each month to improve your score: pay extra on a debt; earn a little extra income; or, check your official credit report for errors. Just like training your muscles, your task is to nudge that score higher over the course of a year. Patience and diligence will pay off and your higher score will reap big rewards in respect and savings when you enter into a new financial agreement.

2. Live under your means.

Yes, I mean spend less than you earn. I know it’s hard when everything you buy feels like something you need – so don’t go cold turkey! Instead, each month look around and see if there’s one thing that can be replaced with something cheaper. Have you tried the library lately? They’ve moved beyond print. You can borrow the DVDs for Game of Thrones, or download an audio book. Some people are saving $1,000 per year by disconnecting cable TV and replacing it with services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. You may be able to get cheaper car insurance or move your phone service to a “friends and family” plan. You might find out that you love using your pressure cooker to make amazing soups from leftovers, or that you love having a vegetable container garden.

There are a number of ways to save that actually enrich your life, giving you a bigger benefit, and making you feel the opposite of poor. To find your biggest budget leaks, I recommend tracking your spending for a month. I offer a tracker when you sign up for my newsletter.

3. Having savings for times of need.

Again, take it slow. Just like you won’t get fit in a day, you won’t have a big savings account in a day. It’s all about moving a little money over on a regular schedule. If you receive a paycheck, you can have it deposited automatically. If you’re an entrepreneur, you can schedule a monthly transfer from checking to savings. Out of sight is out of mind. It’s just like hiding the snacks in the back of the cupboard.

I don’t want to to scare you, but without a savings, you are one step from financial disaster when the next unexpected expenses occurs. Having a savings account is a lifestyle and it’s one you want to work your way into.

Turn these steps into regular exercise and you’ll have healthy finances to support your dreams.

The next stop is Kim McDaniels at iBiz Design Duchess on Natalie Bradley’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!

Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Consulting
Cari Vollmer at PassionIntoProfit.com
Wendy Bottrell at Lifestyle Transformation
Janet Slack at Solopreneur.Biz
Vicki Heise at Live Your Healthy Life
Rochelle Togo-Figa at Speaking Breakthrough Strategist
Lisa Ivaldi at InsightClarityGrowth.com
Robin Hardy at Integrity Virtual Services
Sandra Gardner at Tall Red Poppy // Marketing, Magic, & Design Sanctuary
Deb Brown at Touch Your Client’s Heart
Jill Russo Foster at JillRussoFoster.com <<– you are here!
Kim McDaniels at iBiz Design Duchess
Sharon Lewis at Questiam Leadership Development
Chérie Ronning at Chérie Ronning, Consultant-Mentor-Speaker

Jill’s Financial Tracker and NearlyFreeTravel

To Receive Jill’s Financial Tracker and her bi-weekly newsletter (only 26 issues a year) AND register for her free Travel Class in February, follow the link below:

In Nearly Free Travel: Lessons in Travel from Jill’s European Vacation, Jill shows you how she plans her trips and ups her miles & travel perks – without actually flying! This is Jill’s latest free class and it starts in February. You’ll also receive her bi-weekly newsletter and her Financial Tracker.

Sign me up for Nearly Free Travel!

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Happy 2015 from Jill Russo Foster

Do you love to travel? Do you wish you could travel but have trouble justifying the funds? In February, I’ll be starting a 4-week travel class called “Nearly Free Travel:
Lessons Learned from Jill’s European Vacation.” I’ll take you step-by-step through the actions I took to get a European vacation – nearly free!

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to travel, then watch here for updates or on Twitter for the hashtag #NearlyFreeTravel.

I have a travel bucket list, and my destinations range from very close to home to halfway around the world. Here’s a photo from a destination close to home, but that’s been on my wish list for a while – The Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce, Connecticut.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Get Your Vision Board Ready for 2015

In December, we take the time to sit down and reflect on the year, acknowledge the accomplishments, and plan for our future. We accomplish so much each year by setting intentions and goals. One way we do this is through our vision boards.

You can have your own vision board – all you need are pictures, scissors, glue and a board. I like to cut photos out from magazines or newspapers. You can also print them off the internet or use your own. If you don’t want the mess, you can use Pinterest, Oprah’s O Dream Board (when it becomes available again), or a free Photoshop alternative. Personally, I like creating the board with my hands and having the actual physical board to look at during the year.

Here’s an example of a board that combines work, fitness and travel goals:

What will yours look like? I’d love to see it. Send me a picture or link when you have it done.

Stay tuned and you will see my board for 2015 in the next newsletter.

Happy Thanksgiving from Jill Russo Foster

There’s a song called “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For” sung by Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn. It fits how I feel this holiday season. Sometimes people overlook gratitude as part of their wealth. So I want to personally thank all of my clients and readers for their loyal support. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love.

Thank you.

We had another something to be thankful for in November. We went to see our good friends and explore Austin and San Antonio, Texas. We took a river boat trip, watched the bats go off into the night, and took the river walk cruise. I guess we love the water because we even managed to find it in Texas! Check out our photos.

A Book Deal in Time for the Holidays

Through December 15, get Thrive in Five at a Special Rate.
Jill will start shipping on December 1st, so order now in time for the holidays.

Each year do you resolve to improve your finances only to have something happen that pushes you back to the same place you were last year? Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day will help you change that. With daily short tips that take five minutes or less, this book will help you improve your credit score, spend less, and save more money – all while getting organized!

Read an Excerpt

Get the e-Book for $14.95

Kindle

Praise for Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances In Five Minutes a Day

“Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances In Five Minutes A Day” is a comprehensive, no nonsense book.

Jill’s direct, easy-to-understand style makes it Super Easy to take control of your finances TODAY. As someone who’s worked in a financial institution for 15 years, I’ve never seen everything so comprehensively laid out. This book should be required reading, and can be given to anyone at any age to help them save money. Jill truly understands that finances don’t have to be dull, boring and complicated. She even gives you days to ‘catch up’!

It sends chills up my spine to think about all of the people who don’t know these simple, doable steps.

READ this book and quickly take control of your finances. And get this— Each day the steps are written in a day-by-day, paint-by-numbers format, all EASY yet DOABLE!

Hey, it only takes five minutes or so each day — yet each step can take you one step closer to finally taking control of your finances!

I say get this book and get this book right NOW! It’s awesome!”

– Tracey Fieber, Retirement Transition Expert
New Face of Retirement
www.NewFaceofRetirement.com

“In the changing credit market, your advice has been in valuable. I have learned what factors make up a credit score and how I can help my clients to improve and avoid hurting their scores.”

Rick Bangs, CPA, Richard E. Bangs, Jr CPA

“Jill is always up-to-date on the latest financial trends and has a stellar way of breaking it down so it’s easy to understand. Over the past three years I have followed her newsletter, I have learned how to better and easily manage my finances including budgeting and monitoring my credit report.”

ChaChanna Simpson, Owner, Twentity.com

“I have known Jill Russo Foster for several years and her knowledge of personal finances spans many areas such as credit, financing, debt reduction, budgeting and more. She can explain topics in an easy to understand manner so that you know what to do for your situation. Jill has real passion and concern for all she speaks to. She wants people to live better lives by gaining control of their finances.”

Marian Cicolello, WBDC, CTWBDC.org

“I have had the pleasure of working with, listening to, and relying on Jill Russo Foster and her deep knowledge of personal finance and credit for the past year. Jill’s wealth of experience and “easy to follow” advice is as important to young adults as are the basic educational requirements of Math, English, and Science.

I wholeheartedly recommend Jill’s books, seminars, and forums to anyone interested in clean credit, low finance charges, and a bright fiscal future.”

State Representative Fred Camillo, 151st District-CT, RepFredCamillo.com

“Jill Russo Foster’s book has had a profound effect on how we view our money situation and how we teach our children about finances. I would recommend her books and services to anyone who is serious about saving and responsibly spending their money.”

Michael LaMagna, Esq.

“This year, far more than any other year, my husband Paul (the neat freak) and I (not so much) have both felt the need to “clean house”. In past years we haven’t been so aligned on this issue! Thanks to charitable organizations that will come right to your door and pick up unwanted clothing, home furnishings, and assorted tchotchkes and then put them to very good use, it’s easier than ever. We’ve both been feeling weighted down by the unnecessary clutter, and each time we schedule a pickup, it makes us more aware of the things that are not needed, and more eager to schedule another pickup – and more conscious about buying things that aren’t truly needed. We’ve also cut back on buying material gifts for the kids and opting for “experience” gifts such as skiing lessons, tickets to a show, and family outings. Truly, they don’t miss the gifts at all – the average toy captures their attention for literally about a week.”

Carolyn Aversano, Publisher / Managing Editor, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Fairfield County, ENaturalAwakenings.com

“Thanks to Jill Russo Foster, I balance my checkbook every day. It may sound time-consuming, but it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. My husband and I used to overdraw our account because we both use debit cards. Monthly balancing took forever, because we had a hundred tiny transactions and receipts. Jill recommended daily balancing, and that worked for us. I log into our bank account in the morning, balance our transactions, and it only takes a few minutes a day. Thanks, Jill!”

Valerie Crowley, Virtual Assistant, ValerieCrowley.com

“In today’s hectic world, it’s hard to keep everything in check. Working & raising a family can leave little time for much else. But, our finances are one thing we simply can’t let slide. Using her years of experience in the financial world, Jill has made it simple to take charge of your finances, by creating bite-sized pieces that anyone can follow. With something as critical as your finances, you can’t afford not to carve out 5 minutes each day to get yourself in gear!”

Kristin Andree, President – Andree Media & Consulting,
Author: Don’t Make Me Pull This Car Over: A Roadmap for the Working Mom

“Ready to quit worrying and start taking control of your finances? Get a copy of Jill’s book (or book title) and get started today!

Jill steps you through different priorities each month, one task a day. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to take the things that you have been putting off and finally getting them done!”

Vicki Heise, Founder, Live Your Healthy Life, LiveYourHealthyLife.com

“Finances are a big part of everyday life and can be costly. My client, Jill Russo Foster, breaks down finances into easy to understand steps that will help you get a grasp of your finances.”

Steve Harrison, Bradley Communications, www.FreePublicity.com

Holiday Credit Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Getting ready for the holidays? That will put extra stress on your time and budget. Every time you shop, you’ll be facing temptations that could send your finances off the cliff. If you want to keep away from the edge , keep listening:

Every store will push their own card. They’ll offer a 10-15% discount if you sign up at the register. With your little pile of purchases in front of you, it will sound like a good deal. Don’t do it.

Why not? Because they’ll run an inquiry on your credit report, instantly lowering your credit score and costing you more money in the long run. Don’t forget that store credit cards charge the highest interest rates out there. Think about the temptation you’ll face. With one purchase safely tucked away on a new credit card, you’ll find some breathing room in your checking account for more holiday purchases. Before you know it, you won’t have enough left to pay the store card in full. In the end, that discount will have cost you over 15%, putting you in the hole.

You will be off your routine and forgetful. Between preparation, gatherings, and parties, something will probably slip through the cracks. You might even forget to pay a bill on time. Don’t do it.

Why not? Missing a due date will cost you a late fee – sometimes $35. If it’s a credit card payment, they could penalize you with an increased interest rate at a time you need it least. Worst of all, the late payment could end up on your credit report, lowering your credit score.

You will want to spend more than you can afford. Don’t kid yourself. Holidays are a time of giving and sharing. You will get caught up in the moment and spend more than you planned. You may even spend so much, that you won’t have enough left over to pay your credit card in full when the bill arrives. Don’t do it.

Why not? It could take forever to pay off. If you have a $500 balance and only pay the minimum amount due (typically 2%) then it will take you 85 months (or 7 years plus) to pay off the balance. That is assuming you don’t make any other charges. Plus, you don’t want to start the New Year with new debt.

Plan ahead and use cash for holiday shopping to stay within your budget. That way, you can enjoy the holiday season without facing budget busting debt in January.