How to Get Your Finances On Track in 2017

How to Get Your Finances On Track in 2017Feeling like theres never enough money or time? Want to get healthy or plan for the future? Try these steps to take charge of your life and build some real progress in the new year, while lowering your taxes so youll have more of your hard-earned fruits to enjoy for all that labor. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Spend money to make moneyGetting professional help to lose weight or quit smoking can pay off in the long run. So can soliciting proper legal advice on contracts and finances. So can giving to charity. All of these things are often tax-deductible ways to make your money work for youand help you to grow. Oh, and shell out for a tax pro to help you out come tax time, too.2. Get organizedTrack your travel miles, your donations, and your time, and keep a clear log in an easy-to-remember place for tax time. Youll be glad you did. Remember to keep your receipts so you can itemize. As intensi ve as it sounds, it can be worth the effort.The next time you see anything that might be relevant to end-of-year tax prep, departure gathering it together in dedicated envelopes. That way you wont be digging around for things at the 11th hour.3. Plan your financial planningLook at your stock portfolio and your retirement accounts (if you have em) and make sure youve got everything in order. Are you making all the smartest bets? And if you dont have an IRA consider getting one youll have until April 18to fund it, and you can deduct it on your 2015 taxes.4. Optimize your givingWhether to charity or to yourself, giving will get you there faster and keep your tax bill down in the process. You can do your part and beef up your savings in the process.