I love the lazy days of summer.  It's nice to have more free time and spontaneity.  But, sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad.  Sometimes, without the strict schedule we normally operate under, very little gets done and we find ourselves wondering where the time went.  That is why it is important to set goals, to write them down, and to even share them with others. Accountability kills procrastination. 

This summer, make a commitment to advance your family financially.  If you don't have a budget in place, sit down and work one out with your family.  If you don't have an emergency fund (or it is under-funded), make a plan to regularly contribute to it.  If you do not have an IRA for yourself, start one up.  Take a few steps today, and add to them as you go.  That is the only way to improve your situation.  Even if things aren't tight, we can always find ways to improve and to make the most of our resources.  Make this a goal this summer, and you will feel the benefits long after the summer sun has set.  Don't forget to involve the children in age-appropriate ways for lessons that will last them a lifetime.  Here are some ways to make the most of summer; remember to write down your goals and make them very specific so you can measure your progress:

• track expenses and create a budget or fine-tune your budget, if you have one;
• identify budget-busters and find ways to eliminate/reduce these expenses (e.g., car payments, utility bills);
• create (or add to) your emergency fund;
• make a plan to reduce credit card debt (look for lower rates, pay off more than the minimum);
• explore ideas to increase income (start-up a home business, consult, or explore new job opportunities);
• start saving for retirement or add to your savings;
• work toward saving 10% to 20% of your household income, or more if you can;
• start a college savings plan or add to it;
• if your kids have summer jobs, encourage them to start a Roth IRA to secure their financial future (click here to see the benefits);
• even younger kids can share in this experience:  Show them how much you have allocated to spend at the grocery store or on back-to-school clothes, and allow them to help choose items to stay on budget.  This simple act will sharpen their math skills, and create financial awareness.

Keep the children involved, by measuring the results of your efforts along the way and sharing your progress.   Let this be the summer that didn't get away and you will breathe easier the rest of the year!