Hope you are inspired and improve your quality of life, love and happiness with this quote:

There are many worthy organizations – which one(s) hold a special place in your life and heart? This is most rewarding personally plus you know the efforts and affects the organization truly is making in there area of influence.

There are ways to give more than once, almost like a double gift! Looking for a meaningful gift for a friend, family, co-worker or business associates? Make a donation in their name to a cause you or they support.

Donations to your local educational institutions for library or playground equipment or teacher supplies for student needs is always welcomed.

For an extra special interactive charitable gift, arrange to participate with the one receiving the gift. For example, select a charity with mutual interest between you. Next contact the charity for a list of their needs either to assist with your time or supplies to purchase. Set a date for you to go together to help or shop and deliver the donation. Take pictures and make it fun as well as meaningful.

Think of the lives you are affecting – including your own.

Scary thought isn’t it? Especially if you have children. This is an emotionally charged issue with many of us, but please do not put off completing this task as it is most important.

All of us need to have a will, guardianship legally established, documents dealing with health issues (living will and a medical power of attorney) and additional personal estate all legally documented and established.

Research the topic (again the Dummies series has been helpful for us) and then contact an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Having a personal friend who is an estate attorney has really made me understand the enormous consequences that can, and usually do, occur when your estate has not been prepared for your personal situation.

Also discuss with your estate attorney how to approach your parents and their needs as they age and many time neglect this important preparation for the future.

This is the month your employer distributes the insurance information with all the options listed. Your task is to seriously look it over. Consider the choices for you and your family and those you are not certain about or need more information regarding, get it from your employer, on-line research and library resources.

Consider cutting your prescription costs by using a generic version of the medication (seek your doctor’s advice, possibly a phone call will result in savings).

Look at the benefits offered at each place of employment and research your private and business  benefits verses costs. Do you have double coverage on yours and your spouses insurance? Then see which is better and discontinue the other insurance. It is amazing the cost difference for the same or better benefits from one employer to another (and private companies too).

Would a Health Savings Account for your out-of-pocket medical expenses be a savings in taxes for you?

It is time to handle this month’s task…ready, set, go!

To research the saving plans and the various options for college, we recommend starting with Clark Howard’s web site.

For those of us whom this is not a need, no you do not get a month off from the financial tasks we are working on this year! Our task this month, is to review any previous month’s tasks and do what you have not gotten completed. Trust me, you will feel better once it is done…

See more wordless photos…

What areas are you wanting to improve in the later part of this year? We typically like the Dummies series on various topics and they usually list classic, time tested book titles, authors and web sites on the subject – making this a great place to start on your self-improvement project.

Education is one of the greatest investments – for a lifetime.

See more wordless posts here…

See more wordless posts here…