In a few days we will ring in yet another new year. Will this one be any different for you? Will you continue to look at this time of year as a time to make resolutions or a time to set and archeive your goals? Can I suggest a new set of goals and new results?

Like many, you may be looking back now to see that your resolutions last year were not kept or achieved. Why not? For so many it is because they were resolutions and not goals. You need goals and a plan to achieve those goals to be successful.

Start NOW! What are your goals for this new year. Big or small, what is your plan and timeline to complete your goals? Weight loss, better physical shape, better financial position, starting college – whatever it may be, now is the time to get those goals done on paper. There is power in writing out your goals. There is power in seeing, monitoring, tracking, and marking off goals that you set. Do you keep yours in your head? Well, they will most likely stay right there.

Next – put dates next to those goals. When are you to complete them? You may find that your bigger goals need to be broken into pieces or steps. What are the dates for those smaller steps and when do they lead to a completion of your overall goal? Monitor these dates. Get them on your calendar. Share with with your spouse or close friends to hold you accountable. These dates will be powerful if you realistically set them and really monitor your achievement against them.

Picture yourself achieving your goals. This is highly motivational. The person who can see themselves and what they would look like after losing 40 pounds is more likely to achieve their weight loss goal. What does your end of goal look like?

Finally, when you reach a goal you need to celebrate. Reward yourself for what you have a accomplished. Realize that you have achieved something big. Understand that you motivate yourself for the next goal when you celebrate your successes.

What did you accomplish this past year? Are you ready to make this happen in the new year? Get started now!

Happy New Year! Make it one.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in a courtroom for a full morning while a judge was presented with several case of people defaulting on their debt.  It was not a real happy scene to say the least.  Honestly, it was quite depressing.

I was there with a client. This elderly client had tried everything to address the debt she owed and, with this one particular debtor and attorney, no one would listen.  She had nothing to give them.  Her income was not there to satisfy the collection.  She had no assets of any worth that would appease their need to replace the debt she owed.  In short, they refused to listen to her position but she still lost.

Several were in that same courtroom in the same situation as my client, but they had more zeroes behind their debt.  In each one of those cases, they too lost.

I was not there with my client for any other reason than to emotionally support her.  She owed the debt, knew it, wished she had the money to pay, and knew she would likely lose.  However, we were hoping that they might drop their pursuit or not show up.  They did not.  She also wanted the judge to know that she was not a bad person.

In the end, they both lost.  She lost the judgment and the creditor lost on the money she owed and the money they paid to legally find out she had nothing.  My guess is that they paid 50% of what was owed, again, to pay the attorney to sue her.  For nothing.  She has nothing.

That is not the case with everyone.  Others try this approach because they are tired of paying on the debt.  Others find themselves here temporarily as they find themselves in a bad situation.  Regardless, understand that the court will rule on the side of the contract you signed to stand behind your debts you incur.

The judge that day admitted that they economy collapsed just prior to him winning his seat.  Since then, it has been the toughest job he has ever had.  Why, the law says we have to pay and so many good people are affected.

What is my point?  Work to pay your debts.  Don’t ignore them.  Don’t think they will go away because you ignore calls from creditors.  They will not.  Sticking your head in the sand does not help.

Get on a plan that addresses your current financial situation and your plan to eliminate debt.  As we enter this new year, make that your goal – to get out of debt!  Get started now and avoid the courthouse.

The other point – avoid debt!

Last week I was invited to be a guest on Talk of the Town with host Karen Allen. The program runs on Winder TV and is seen in several counties around Winder, Georgia.

If you live I the area you can watch the program on TV. You can find the viewing schedule here – http://b1000.windertv.org:50000/external_schedule/simple_day_schedule?id=#

For those not in the area, you can click on the link below to watch on your computer.

Karen is a great host. The first part of the program deals with personal fitness.

Hope you enjoy!

It seems just like yesterday, but here we are at another Christmas.  While many look at this time of year with anticipation, many look at it far differently as a result of the stress, hustle, and bustle.  I trust that you are one looking at this time of year as a time of giving, family, reflection, and appreciation of God’s greatest gift.

It is a great time of the year and I want to wish you the Merriest Christmas ever!

As you finish shopping, spend time with family, travel, or relax – take time to reflect on what this one day means and never let that leave you.

Thank you for allowing Financial Focus to be a part of your life as you build the financial, career, and life changes your long for.

From me and my family, to you and yours – Merry Christmas!