Dear Friends,

The second year for Money Really Matters has begun with a bang! Between New Years resolutions and the fast approaching RSP deadline, both my one-on-one coaching clients and my workshop clients are really motivated to choose today as the day to gain control of their finances. It is very exciting. And I’m thrilled to have so many opportunities to share my enthusiasm for financial empowerment with others; the CBC interviewed me in January, I will give a talk at the Women in Finance February meeting and my next Women It’s Your Money Workshop is March 19th.

On a personal note, David and I are getting married this summer . So all in all, life promises to keep me busy, busy, busy – and incase I didn’t mention it – happy.

Best to all,

email:sheila@moneyreallymatters.ca

With all the hype in the media about the March 1st RSP deadline I’m a bit concerned that people could get the wrong idea. This isn’t the only time of year to save. We should be saving for retirement all year round.

I know a lot of people made New Year’s resolutions to contribute more to their RSPs. If that’s your goal then roll up your pennies, have a garage sale, do what you need to do to make an RSP contribution before the end of the month. But don’t think that as of March 2nd you are off the hook. Saving money, like singing in the shower, is a good habit to get into. Read on for tips that will help you save every month, every week and every day.

One of the most powerful ways to support your saving habit is to visualize what you are saving for. RSPs are more than dollars and cents or paperwork and pie charts. RSPs are holidays in Europe, waterfront on the Gulf Islands and the comfort of knowing you will be financially secure in the years to come. You can conjure up your own retirement images everyday. Choose images that are close to your heart so you love to think about them. Each time you do, toss a coin into your Financial Freedom Jar, or transfer a few dollars into your savings account. When you make the time to enjoy thinking about retirement, you will actually enjoy saving for retirement.

You could also Save the last Monday of the Month for Money! Once a month I’ll be hosting an informal Coffee Talk at BoJangles in Yale town. Come by to ask questions, build a financial community or pick up tips about month-to-month money management.