Dennis Futch

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Adding these books to your reading list is the first step to changing your financial future.  When trying to get a handle on your finances, it can be difficult to know where to start. Should you work on paying off all your debt? Start investing? Find ways of generating more income? The options can feel endless — and the information, sometimes confusing — which can leave people feeling scattered or like they might as well not even try.  Finding financial freedom, however, can be done, and there are many experts who have outlined road maps for how to do so in their books. But rather than have you spend your time sifting through the vast amount of financial books available today, the experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective have narrowed down the list to seven of their favorites. Below, they share their top picks for life-changing financial books and why they recommend those struggling with their money and money decisions study them.

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To change your finances, you’ll first need to change your thinking. The way people think about money can have a greater impact on their financial success than they may think. Whether it’s the way you were raised or a belief that you have come to over time, the mindset that you develop around your finances has a direct influence on the actions you take with money and your behaviors surrounding it. These beliefs can be positive or negative, truthful or a lie — but how can you tell the difference? Below, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective list out some of the most common money mindsets people have that may actually be hurting their progress with money, detailing not only the reasons why but also how they can change and finally get their finances in order.

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The right professional will help you more than just once a year. As April 15 draws closer and closer, the need to file your taxes on time grows even more urgent. While there are self-filing services and software available, many people still look for the personalized guidance and care a tax professional can provide. But are all tax professionals the same? With so many to choose from, narrowing down the perfect planner or adviser for you can be a complex challenge. To help make the search a little easier, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective offer their guidance. Below, they outline some of the most important factors you should consider when looking for a tax pro and discuss why making the effort to find the best help now can save you both time and money well into the future.

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Taking even just one of these steps can set you on a better path toward financial success. Financial surprises often seem to crop up at the most inopportune times — your car breaks down, you have an unexpected medical bill, your air conditioner needs to be replaced. All of these situations, paired with poor money habits or a lack of financial planning, can create a major hole in your budget, leaving you feeling scared or anxious about how you’re going to climb back out. But whether you have unexpected expenses, you spend above your means or you feel like you’re behind on saving for retirement, the key to finding stability is intention. Here, the financial and investment experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective walk through the steps anyone can take right now to start building a more financially stable future and why doing so is key to living the life you want. 

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Proper preparation throughout the year will keep you from getting caught off guard when payments are due. It’s the one time of year that causes particular financial anxiety for any income-earning individual: tax time. Whether it’s the often confusing, tedious chore of gathering information for your tax preparer or the dread of not knowing whether you will earn a return or have to pay in that year, preparing for tax time can be stressful for many — even business owners. Unlike for individual taxpayers, tax time for business owners doesn’t necessarily occur just once a year. This means business owners need to be organized and meticulous with their finances throughout the year if they want to ensure they’re ready when taxes come due. But what exactly does that entail? What steps do they need to take to prepare? The financial and tax experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective weigh in with their answers below. Here, they discuss the six steps you’ll need to take if you want to be properly prepared for tax time, reduce your anxiety around taxes and ensure your business thrives throughout the year.

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The way you approach these conversations can set the stage for your whole relationship — for better or worse. Money and finances can be a truly divisive topic, and nowhere is this more true than with romantic partners. With differing spending and saving habits, economic backgrounds, values or beliefs around money, couples may find it difficult to get on the same page when it comes to their finances. In some cases, disagreements around money may even lead couples to break up or divorce. In this way, it’s vital couples have conversations about money early on to set a better foundation for their financial future together. However, ensuring you’re having these conversations the right way — without them turning into arguments — is key to your success. To offer their guidance, 10 financial experts from Kiplinger Advisor Collective each share one piece of advice they’d give to a couple about how to approach money conversations in a better way and work together to accomplish their financial goals.