Tips For Increasing Your Financial Security

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(NAPSA)—Ifyou're not sure how you are going to reach your finan- a cial goals, t:::{here’s helpful news. Herearefour tips to navigate the changing economic conditions and keep yourfinances undercontrol. 1. Lower your tax burden by saving as much as you can in your 401(k). No matter what your tax rate is, savingfor retirement in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan can help reduce your taxes and boost retirement security. Contributions to a traditional 401(k) aren't subject to income tax withholding and aren’t included in yourtaxable wages. While you pay taxes on contributions to a Roth Gistock, MBPHOTO,INC. 401(k), your earnings are tax-free. ‘Db seeif you're doingall you can to Saving for retirement in a 401(k) or reduce your tax burden while sav- other employer-sponsored retireingfor retirement, you can use the ment plan can help reduce your online 401(k) “Save the Max”cal- taxes and boostretirement security. culator from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), your wholebill, every dollar you pay above the minimum payment a securities regulator. 2. Start a rainy-day fund. can loweryourinterest payments. 4. Do a yearly background Building a rainy-day fund is one of the most important things you check on your investmentprocan do to maintainfinancial secu- fessional. Investing a few minrity. The savings will give you a utes to take this free and easy cushionto handlea short-term job step could save you money and loss, a surprise car repair or some trouble down the road. You can other emergency. Begin by saving use FINRA&’s online tool, Broat least one month of your current kerCheck, to research the backsalary in a federally insured sav- ground of investment. professionings account.If you can, save up als and firms. Makeit a habit to to three monthsof yoursalary. If do a yearly check to see if there’s saving is hard for you, then start any new information you should small. If you start saving $10 a know about. FINRAis thelargest indepenweek right now, by this time next year, you'd have a rainy-day fund dent regulatorfor all securities firms doing businessin the United of over $500. 8. Avoid credit card debt. In States. Its mission is to protect difficult economic times, it can be America’s investors by making easy to rack up debt. Makeit a sure thesecurities industry opergoalto use credit sparingly, and ates fairly and honestly. To learn more, visit www-finra. try to pay all yourcredit bills in full and on time. If you can't pay org/investors.