savings

Want to be a millionaire? Focus on saving

Want to be a millionaire? Focus on saving 700 883 Donna Skeels Cygan
Saving is the key to financial security. I know many people think saving is hard. However, when you see your account grow and compound over the years, it becomes exciting. You realize it wasn’t that hard, and saving actually gets easier over time. You just need to take the first step. Thomas Stanley and William [...]read more

6 billion hours go into income tax preparation

6 billion hours go into income tax preparation 1000 689 Donna Skeels Cygan
This month I will be posting a series of articles that were published on the Albuquerque Journal. These articles will explore the relationship between money and happiness. This weeks topic covers taxes! Taxes were on everyone’s mind in April. It is estimated that the average American household paid $13,000 in 2015 taxes (money.cnn.com 4/18/16). In [...]read more

Weekly column to review financial, investment topics

Weekly column to review financial, investment topics 500 302 Donna Skeels Cygan
This month I will be posting a series of articles that were published on the Albuquerque Journal. These articles will explore the relationship between money and happiness. This week's topic covers the stock market. The first quarter of 2016 felt like a roller coaster for many investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average began a downward [...]read more

Minimize your Taxes Now and in the Future: Three Tax “Buckets”

Minimize your Taxes Now and in the Future: Three Tax “Buckets” 624 312 Donna Skeels Cygan
Tax season (Jan. 15-April 15) has officially begun! It is time to strategize! “Smart tax planning is essential for smart investing” says Donna Skeels Cygan, CFP®, MBA, who has been recognized as one of the top financial advisors in the United States and is the author of The Joy of Financial Security: The art and [...]read more

How Much Are You Saving?

How Much Are You Saving? 1024 613 Donna Skeels Cygan
Do you think people with high incomes are wealthier than people with average incomes? This is a myth that needs to be dispelled. Many people have extremely high incomes, but their net worth does not reflect the high income. The key is not how much you earn, but how much you save. The amount you [...]read more

Strategies to Increase Your Savings Percentage

Strategies to Increase Your Savings Percentage 1024 881 Donna Skeels Cygan
If you didn’t save anything last year, strive to save at least 10 percent this year. If you saved 10 percent, strive to increase it to 15 percent or 20 percent this year. Increasing your savings usually comes from two sources. Either you increase your income (possibly by taking on a second part-time job if [...]read more

Big Ticket Items to “Fast Forward” Your Savings Percentage

Big Ticket Items to “Fast Forward” Your Savings Percentage 1024 710 Donna Skeels Cygan
Although money does not buy happiness, it does impact our happiness. Having money can provide us with the freedom to live our lives the way we choose. Once we determine what makes us happy, we can then design our money to support our personal goals. In my book, many topics are discussed that can increase [...]read more
money envelope

Reduce Your Expenses, Increase Your Savings

Reduce Your Expenses, Increase Your Savings 350 233 Donna Skeels Cygan
Having money can provide us with the freedom to live our lives the way we choose. Once we determine what makes us happy, we can then design our money to support our personal goals. This post gives tips for reducing expenses. As you reduce your expenses, recognize that the items we spend money on can [...]read more