New Study Shows Personal Budget A Key New Year's Resolution For Charlotteans

    CHARLOTTE, NC, December 18, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When it comes to New Year's resolutions, nearly 40 percent of Charlotteans indicate sticking to a budget as an area they want to improve upon in 2015, according to a recent survey commissioned by Hobart Financial Group. The survey was conducted online amongst 151 adults aged 35-70 in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.

Other findings from the study include the following:

• Nearly two-thirds of the respondents indicate their resolution might entail figuring out how to create a reliable income stream that will last throughout retirement.
• Close to one-fifth of respondents think about retirement planning during January.
• One out of eight respondents is likely to make a New Year's Resolution regarding retirement planning.

"It's not a surprise to me that health ranks the highest when considering New Year's resolutions because that is something individuals see every day when looking in the mirror," says Chris Hobart, owner of retirement planning firm Hobart Financial Group. "The problem is, too many people wait too long to think about budgets and retirement planning so they end up looking in the rear view mirror when it's too late. So, I'm offering some advice to help Charlotteans kick start their financial wellness for 2015 so that they don't look back with regrets in the future."

#1 Set goals:
It may seem obvious, but given the shaky future of social security, setting monetary goals has become a necessity. According to a study from the American College of Financial Services, a significant number of adults (33%) has never tried to figure out how much they need to accumulate to retire securely. Typically, you need to plan a retirement income that is approximately 70 percent of your working income. A licensed fiduciary can help guide you through this process.

#2 Think about pace:
Slow and steady wins the race. Investments have the potential to generate a big portion of your retirement funds. However, investments are fickle, especially stocks, and are dependent on the stock market. Make sure you choose investments that are generally conservative, but help to accumulate more money in the long run. Grow your assets and preserve gains via a highly specialized, managed-risk advisory style that reduces your loss of money to taxes, hidden fees, stock market swings and low interest rates.

#3 Eliminate debt & set aside money for emergencies:
These are the two most important aspects of retirement planning. It's essential to pay off all debts when you're working. If you leave the workforce and still have loans or other payments to make, it could put a significant strain on your income.

#4 Perform quarterly check-ups:
Schedule routine meetings with your spouse, or just set aside time for yourself to reflect upon your progress. A firm majority of Americans, 59%, are worried about not having enough money for retirement, surpassing eight other financial matters, according to Gallup's annual Economy and Personal Finance poll. If you fall within that majority, plan and keep yourself to a schedule to alleviate that concern.

For more information on planning for your retirement, visit http://www.hobartfinancialgroup.com, or schedule a time to discuss your financial future by calling 704.553.0123.

About Hobart Financial Group
Hobart Financial Group is an independent financial advisory firm dedicated to personalizing service with uncompromising integrity. Its focus on comprehensive, tax-advantaged plans help to provide sound preservation of capital, growing income and increased returns with reduced risk. Chris Hobart, founder of Hobart Financial Group, understands that true wealth means being able to share your life with the people you love, free from financial anxiety. Hobart Financial helps Carolinas' retirees preserve and protect their wealth with comprehensive financial retirement planning and wealth management.

http://www.theamericancollege.edu/ricp-retirement-income-survey/press-release.php

http://www.gallup.com/poll/168626/retirement-remains-americans-top-financial-worry.aspx

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