Ah Spring!

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: April 10, 2015

Contributed by Liz Allen
Red Hot Mamas Financial Expert
Ah Spring!

 

Spring is in the air! Spring into action! There’s a spring in your step! Hope springs eternal. As fresh as springtime.

So even though we may no longer be spring chickens, spring fever brings on hot flashes, spring break means something is not working quite right in our hips, and spring showers is that unfortunate moment when you coughed or laughed just a little too hard, you are here.

No matter how cold it is outside, or how “off” you may feel depending on your particular state of peri-menopause or menopause, let’s celebrate the fact that spring has officially come. It’s a time for optimism. I, for one, am optimistic that menopause won’t last for the rest of my life. But even if it does, I cannot disregard the fundamentals that allow me to have a life worth enjoying. And neither should you. Thus…

Financial Spring Cleaning

Yes, we all know April 15th is rearing its ugly head. You could ignore it or postpone it but like a bad penny, it will turn up. If you haven’t already filed your taxes, cowgirl up and lasso that critter.

Now would also be a good time to clear out clutter and turn it into gold – charitable gold. Perhaps your current financial circumstances don’t support the idea of contributing money to causes that may be important to you, but you can certainly donate clothes, household items, books, old toys, outdated cellphones and more. Regarding clothes: I constantly waffle between getting rid of my “fat” clothes – the larger-sized assortment that doesn’t cut off my circulation in my armpits and elsewhere – versus the “skinny” clothes – the “I can’t believe that used to fit me” items that have actually come back into fashion I’ve held on to them for so long. So let’s just bite the bullet and go for the old rule: If you haven’t worn it in two years, you’ll never wear it. Yet, as I stuff those size 2 hip hugger blue jeans (the ones that won’t make it past one thigh) into a plastic bag bound for Goodwill, hope springs eternal. Maybe someday… Ah, another menopause symptom – irrational hallucinations.

Beyond the donations, it’s also a great time to review your financial house too. Revisit your budget and see if you’re on track. What about your retirement investments or savings? Are they still aligned and realistic? Will you be able to go to Europe or will you have to settle for EPCOT?

One of the services my company offers is 3-Minute Confident RetirementSM checkup. Try it out using this link or visit my website. 3 Minute Check Up. It’s free and will really help you see where you are and where you’re going without making you feel inadequate. I promise. So spring ahead, look forward, and acknowledge that the journey has been challenging, but we’re still here and raging joyously with life, love and hormones!

www.elizabeth-allen.com

http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/liz.a.allen/