December 2015: Reward Yourself

Did you get all of your gift shopping done on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and what some retailers are now calling Cyber Week? We thought we should wait until all of the sales e-mails were cleared out of your inbox before sending out our Newsletter. This time of year is customarily a time for giving gifts to others. But in our newsletter this month, we’re going to suggest giving yourself a gift. Read more about it below and on our blog.

In this edition:

• Accomplish Your Goals by Rewarding Yourself
• Year End Financial Challenge
• Illumination’s Media Spotlight: The Best of What We Read and Listened to in November

Accomplish Your Goals by Rewarding Yourself

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year, celebrate your accomplishments, and consider changes for next year. This practice applies not just to your personal or professional life, but also your financial life. Many financial goals take months or even years to accomplish. Building a six month emergency fund, saving for a down payment on a home, or paying off student loans don’t just happen overnight. It can be easy to lose sight of these long-term goals and feel like you’re not making progress. So it’s important to find a way to keep yourself motivated to continue doing the things that bring you closer to those goals.

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Year End Financial Challenge

Some things just can’t wait. We know it’s a busy time of year, but it’s important that you address some long over-due financial planning and items that have year-end deadlines. Are you up for our Year End Financial Challenge? We’ve come up with 16 actions you can take before year end to put your financial house in order for next year. Try to tackle one a day. (We’ve given you weekends and holidays off.)

Take the Year End Financial Challenge

Illumination’s Media Spotlight

Here’s our monthly compilation of interesting articles and videos designed to keep you informed and engaged in the areas of personal finance, the economy and life. We hope you enjoy this month’s edition. Please send us your thoughts on this month’s articles and suggestions for future posts.

Our Updates

The Craig Sewing Show – Nov. 17, 2015
Want to reach your goals? Pretend you’re a dog.

Investing in Your Financial Life

Preparing for Financial Shocks Before They Strike
Smart year-end tax planning moves
7 Financial Failures and How to Overcome Them
‘Supersavers’ Focus on the Goal
We don’t save for the future because we lie to ourselves. This app might change that

Business

Your #1 Asset as a Business
5 Superpowers of the Most Successful Entrepreneurs

Personal Improvement

When the world’s richest man offers career advice, it’s smart to listen
How to Make the Most of the Time You Have
For a better 2016, tie up loose ends now

You can’t predict. You can prepare. – Howard Marks

We hope you have had a happy and successful 2015 and you are one year closer to your goals. Remember to reward yourself as you reach your goals, and 2016 will be your best year yet.

All the best,

The Illumination Wealth Team

The opinions and forecasts expressed are those of Matt Rinkey, President of Illumination Wealth Management (IWM) and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Rinkey’s opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as recommendations of any specific security or Illumination Wealth services. No part of this material is intended as an investment recommendation. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any of IWM’s services. Do NOT ever purchase any security without doing sufficient research. There is no guarantee that investment objectives outlined will actually come to pass. Investors should consult an Investment Professional before investing in any investment program. Neither Mr. Rinkey or Illumination Wealth nor any of their employees shall have any liability for any loss sustained by anyone who has relied on the information contained herein. Entities including, but not limited to IWM, its officers, directors, employees, customers and affiliates may have a position, long or short, in the securities referred to herein, and/or other related securities, and may increase or decrease such position or take a contra position. The analysis contained is based on both technical and fundamental research. Although the information contain is derived from sources which are believed to be reliable, they cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is never a guarantee of future results.