Page 76 - April 2016 Life In Naples Magazine
P. 76
FINANCE
TAMING THE UNTAMED:
Ideas for organizing your financial affairs, not forgetting
some of the most overlooked items like computer passwords
by Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP® when managing your finances.
Financial Advisor • Use One Place For All Your Important
T hanks to modern technology, it’s more possible now than ever Documents – Most people have documents in
before to get control of your finances and move your current their files, safe deposit boxes and maybe even
situation towards a better, more stable future. But while there “the cloud”. Here’s a test, if someone had to
are plenty of tools and resources that can help with this, the fact step up on your behalf, could they in one hour
remains that the wide range of access to financial tools and technologies understand where everything is located and
can often create a situation wherein your overall financial stability is a what your current financial situation is? If
bit of a jungle. not, it’s time to review your files, take out your
important documents and set up a secure place
EASY TIPS TO REMEMBER to keep them. Give the location and password
if applicable to your durable power of attorney or your family members.
Taming the wilds of your finances isn’t impossible and if you’ll
remember a few basic tips, you can get the upper hand and master your • Go Paperless – The clutter of paper bills is tremendous. By simply
financial situation no matter how wild and untamed it might seem. signing up for paperless billing from most of your accounts you can
Here are a few of the key tips to keep in mind that can help with this. reduce the hassle of trying to keep up with all those stacks of papers.
Not to mention you can save a lot of trees!
• Consolidate Passwords – Start by getting control of your
passwords. Experts agree that having the same password for every CONTROLLING YOUR FINANCES
account isn’t a good idea, and changing your passwords every so often FOR A BETTER FUTURE
can also help. Today there are many programs that will keep track and
create passwords for you; you only need one password to open it and The key to better financial health starts with just being more
it will automatically fill in your passwords for your web sites. Now you organized and mindful of your finances. The tips above can make it
only have one password that your family or durable power of attorney easier to do just that and to move yourself towards a much healthier
needs to know to access your password list. and more organized life in terms of your financial state. To obtain
assistance with the process and to learn more about how we can help,
• Consider Auto Bill Pay – Even more convenient is the ability contact Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc. today.
to set up your bills so that they’re automatically deducted from your
account. This lets you avoid the issue of forgetting a specific bill, can Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP®
make traveling much easier, and can be a good option if you are not www.CASMoneyMatters.com
fully capable of managing your money effectively. Just be sure you keep
a list for your heirs of what bills are on auto pay (monthly, quarterly or Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc. is located at 9601
annually) and review your statements regularly to be sure there are no Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239.262.6577)
signs of identity theft on your accounts.
Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, is a certified financial planner and a trained
• Check Your Credit Score – Knowing what your credit score is and life coach and is a Partner of Ciccarelli Advisory Services Inc., a Family
taking advantage of pulling your free once a year credit report can be a
great window into your finances. This will help you see if you need to Focused Wealth Management Firm in Florida and New York.
modify credit to increase your score or if there are any signs of someone
stealing your identity. With the advancement of identity theft, this is Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc. is located at 9601
a must! Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239.262.6577)
• Know Your Spending Budget – Clearly document what prosperity Investment advisory services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory
looks like for you and then align your spending habits to support your Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser independent of FSC
most important goals. Know where your money is going and take Securities Corporation. Securities and additional investment advisory
control of your financial destiny. This will help you to make future services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/
financial decisions quicker and more wisely.
SIPC and a registered investment adviser.
• Consolidate Accounts and Simplify – If you have too many bank,
investment or credit card accounts, it can not only cost you big but
be a challenge to manage as well. Look at what you really need, see
if any accounts can be consolidated, and reduce the number of credit
cards you use.This can save you money while also helping save you time
76 Life in Naples | April 2016
