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Article published on FiLife.com by Financial Symmetry’s Allison Berger, CFP ®.

Finding the motivation to save can be just as difficult as motivating yourself to diet and exercise. In both cases you know the outcome will be worthwhile — financial security and better health. However, taking the steps to get there is easier said than done.

If you have ever watched the show “The Biggest Loser,” you have probably heard the trainers say that being fit is not about dieting, but about making lifestyle changes that you can stick with over time. As the contestants participate in the challenge, their health gradually improves and their motivation to continue a healthy lifestyle typically increases. The hardest part is usually getting started.

The same is true with saving. While difficult at first, adopting a scheduled savings strategy and making budgeting part of your routine will increase your odds of achieving your financial goals. Identifying those goals is the first step to finding that motivation, so spend some time thinking about what you want your money to do for you. Maybe you are saving for a family vacation, your children’s education, retirement, or all of the above. Make a list prioritizing each goal and put time frames on them.

Next, work on identifying those triggers that keep you from saving money. Just as having chips and cookies in the house can derail your healthy lifestyle, so can mail order catalogs on your coffee table or even a clear view of your neighbor’s new BMW. Toss those catalogues in the recycle bin, put a limit on your Amazon or eBay habit, and start planning a savings strategy.

One of the best ways to stick to your financially fit goals is to make savings automatic. Hopefully you are already deferring money from every paycheck to your 401k. Think about increasing your deferral to put more toward your retirement goal. Then find other savings you can make automatic. Maybe you can set up a monthly transfer into your savings account, Roth IRA, or your child’s 529 plan. This strategy takes some of the work out of saving and automatically curbs spending, as your checking account appears less flush each month.

Lastly, remember that you are not alone. You probably have friends and neighbors who are also trying to stick to a financially fit lifestyle. Work together on finding low cost activities to do, and exchange tips and tricks along the way. You may also want to consider using a professional. A financial planner can help you develop a strategy specific to your needs in the same way a personal trainer can recommend the best exercises for your health and fitness goals. You can seek out a fee-only financial planner at napfa.org.

“The NAPFA Webinar Series is a great resource to learn more about the basics behind financial planning from independent, knowledgeable, objective people in our industry.  And best of all, they’re FREE!”  – Chad Smith, CFP®, Financial Symmetry, Inc.

NAPFA has launched a new Consumer Webinar Series aimed at educating consumers on financial planning topics.  This free program is designed to inform the public on money basics while also covering more in-depth personal finance topics.  The year-long  series will consist of monthly, 1-hour live sessions that are available through the NAPFA website.  Past sessions will also be archived for later viewing.  To register for an upcoming session and to learn more about the program, go to NAPFA Webinar Session RSVP.

The first Webinar will broadcast on August 7th, 2009, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET.
Here’s a preview of the session from NAPFA, “Money 101: Knowing the Basics.”

“Instructor John Henry McDonald, CFP®, CLU, ChFC®, NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, and “The Finance Guy” on News Channel 8 in Austin, TX

What is money and what do you need to do right now to ensure you are saving some of it while reducing your debt? John Henry will provide some insights on understanding money basics while giving you a head start on managing the money you do have better.”

Check back often for more upcoming webinar sessions and for our advisors’ feedback on past sessions.  Please feel free to contact our NAPFA members, Chad Smith, CFP® and Allison Berger, CFP® for more information or to schedule a complimentary 45-minute consultation.

“This is one of the many great services NAPFA provides.  Not only are they on the forefront of consumer advocacy for financial education, but they also provide great resources for learning more about the financial planning industry.” – Allison Berger, CFP®, Financial Symmetry, Inc.

Tired of paper statements? While we cannot eliminate all paper statements regarding your investment accounts, Pershing LLC, the custodian of our clients’ brokerage accounts, has a new electronic statement program ready for new enrollment.

Make the switch from paper statements to electronic statements at Pershing, and Pershing will donate $1.00 to the Arbor Day National Foundation of Nebraska City, Nebraska. Between July 1^st and December 31^st, 2009, each $1.00 donation from new electronic statement requests will go toward the purchase and planting of new trees in our national parks. Pershing has pledged a total of $275,000 toward the tree project, which will plant 275,000 trees across our national parks, focusing on parks recently damaged by wild fires.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this great cause, log on to NetXInvestor.com to update your preferences. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or if you need assistance.

Investment News recently featured Pershing’s effort to reduce their environmental impact in their June 12^th issue. Click here to view the article, Pershing Plants Trees by Evan Cooper.

Many of us are familiar with inflation.  But what about deflation?  Just like it is important to understand inflation, it is equally important to understand deflation and it’s potentially dangerous effects.  We came across a very detailed “visual guide” that helps to explain deflation from Mint.com

Check out the post by visiting  A Visual Guide to Deflation.
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions.

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With the price of consumer goods increasing, Financial Symmetry would like to pass along a few money-saving tips that can help you trim your grocery bill, as well as help to find savings at restaurants.

How can you save money on your grocery bill?

• Make a list and stick to it.
• Stock up on staples when they are on sale.
• Evaluate packages by unit cost, rather than looking at the package price. Use a calculator when you shop, and remember to include taxes.
• Try not to buy convenience foods. Instead, buy foods that can be prepared from scratch and reheated for tomorrow’s lunch.
• Try not to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.
• Use coupons!

Besides the Sunday paper, online websites now offer printable coupons with barcodes that can be scanned at the checkout counter. Be sure to read for any restrictions, such as limitations on the number of times the coupon may be used, or if the website requires that the coupons be delivered via email. Also, research the website before committing to signing up; especially those that require you to sign up with their partners, mention that your email address may be shared, or involve purchasing a membership. Many of the websites require you to install a coupon printer on your computer, which ensures that barcodes print clearly. Others may give you the option to sign up for weekly coupons, promotional discounts and savings tips through email.

We suggest the following websites:

How can you save money going out to eat?

Restuarants.com allows visitors to purchase restaurant gift certificates for a significant discount. We found gift certificates that could be purchased for $3 that are valued at $10 and others for $10 that are valued at $25. Simply enter your zip code or state, choose the desired restaurant and purchase the gift certificate, then print and enjoy the savings.

Some of the gift certificates are available to be sent via email, making them a quick and easy last minute gift. Discounted gift certificates would also make a great gift for college students and recent graduates. When purchasing, be sure to read the restrictions carefully, as many gift certificates may have certain limitations on the times of day or day of the week when they can be used. Many also place restrictions on alcohol purchases or the number of people in the dining party.

Allison Berger, CFP®, was recently quoted in Investment News. The article discusses financial advisors’ views on young investors that are dealing with the current market.

Here is an except from the article written by Lisa Shidler:

In recent months, a greater number of younger investors have come in seeking help, especially as their assets have fallen, said Allison Berger, a certified financial planner with Financial Symmetry Inc. in Raleigh, N.C., whose firm manages $78 million in assets. “It’s been one of my goals to work with young professionals and help them get started on the right foot,” she said.

Sometimes, people in this age group are grappling with a wide range of issues, Ms. Berger said.

“We’re trying to help them pay off student loans, save for an emergency fund, buy the first home and save for retirement,” she said.

Click here to view the original article: Investment News