Once again, it’s time to make some New Year’s resolutions. This year, in addition to hitting the gym, learning that second language and getting better organized, why not also consider a few financial resolutions?

What types of resolutions might you consider? Here are a few suggestions:

Contribute more to your retirement accounts. The new year means that you are one year closer to retirement. To help yourself build resources for the lifestyle you’ve envisioned as a retiree, try to boost your contributions to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. read more »

Over the past few years, if you’ve taken out a mortgage or another consumer loan, you’ve probably welcomed the low interest rates you may have received. But as an investor, if you’ve kept any retirement savings in fixed-rate investment vehicles, you may have seen low rates in a less favorable light. And that’s why it may be time for you take a closer look at your financial strategy for working toward the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

Of course, you can always hope that interest rates will rise, and perhaps they will. As you may know, the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at record lows in recent years to stimulate lending and thereby boost the economy. read more »

Like many people, you may dream of a day in which you get a sudden infusion of wealth. Realistically, you know that you’re probably not going to win the lottery, but you could get an inheritance. And, depending on its size, it could give you an enormous boost toward achieving your long-term financial goals — if you use the money wisely. read more »

If you work for a company that offers a 401, consider yourself fortunate. A 401 offers tax-deferred earnings growth, the ability to make pre-tax contributions and a variety of investment choices. Your 401 may also over a loan feature — but you may want to think twice before using it. read more »