The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, January 02, 2020, Image 12

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The champion newspaper., January 02, 2020, Image 12

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Newspaper Page TextBUSINESS THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, JAN. 2 - 8, 2020 • PAGE 12 r COUNTYWIDE Expert advises starting new year with 2020 financial vision Part Two - Steps to a solid financial future BY KATHY MITCHELL FREELANCE REPORTER Often people start the new year with a vow to set their financial house in order. It can be done, no matter how old you are or how far you are from sound financial management, according to financial literacy instructor Michelle Alexander. “Start saving by having funds automatically transferred directly from your paycheck to your savings or retirement account,” Alexander advised. “This task can be done easily through your payroll department. You will not feel the pressure of parting with your money when saving this way and the money adds up quickly. If the savings are for retirement and are pre-tax through payroll, it also allows you a tax break. Another way to save automatically is to visit your bank to set up monthly transfers from your checking to savings account. You can also have money transferred from one bank to another. Just make sure there are no fees involved in the bank-to- bank transfers. When you start saving, you give your money purpose. You will begin to feel empowered and may find other ways to improve your financial situation.” She recommended track ing spending for at least 30 days “and not just your household expenses. You need to track every single penny, yes, I mean penny, that comes out of your pock et and off your debit and/or credit card. When you track your spending so closely, you really get to see what you do with your money in stead of just saying, ‘I don’t know where it goes; I just don’t make enough.’ “From this point, you can now create a realistic budget to maintain as you continue to improve your finances. An easy way to cut back on spending is to not buy convenience foods for every meal of the day. If you start with just breakfast, you can possibly save $5 a day; $25 a week. That is $100 for Michelle Alexander the month and you only had to make one small change. This money could be your 401k contribution especially if your company matches. If there is no match, you can set up your own traditional or Roth IRA at most banks or credit unions,” she contin ued. Alexander said investors should be mindful of both their personal situations and the overall financial climate. “In reading other financial articles that talk about eco nomic climates, I notice the conversation tends to revolve around market participation and how we should be in it for the long haul. If you have a sound plan that works for you, then you may only need to make tweaks and should not make any major changes when the climate is not favorable. If the market is down, you should stay put and if you can afford to, buy assets that are on sale,” she said. “However, ” she contin ued, “if you do not partici pate in the financial market and are just trying to manage your paycheck, you should save more, buy personal items on sale, and capitalize on great deals when employ ment is high. Make wise decisions while the going is good. When employment is low, you should cut back on the extras and continue to save. Just to be clear, extras are usually ‘wants’ dressed up as ‘needs.’” Recessed or depressed economies are not the time to start adding major or any debt to your life and making other bad financial decisions, Alexander warned. “Hold onto your paid-off car for another year before trading in or up. Continue to pay down debt as companies make changes because one of those changes could be your job. You do not want to be left holding a bag full of quarters when your debt is in the thousands and your job disappears. She advised, “Be still, but not silent; continue to sock away savings and re tirement contributions; and most importantly, do not incur any new unnecessary debt. If you are already in a good financial position, review your financials to see where you can beef up assets and decrease debt. Your fu ture self, will thank you.” This is the second of a two-part series featuring advice from Alexander, a financial literacy instructor who said her mission is to help individuals change their financial lives for the better She has conducted financial literacy seminars at DeKalb County libraries and at business association and community meetings. Among the organizations she has volunteered with: Project Take Charge, a reso urce for DeKalb County residents needing financial assistance during challenging financial times. Part One - Why many struggle with personal finances— appeared in the Dec. 26, 2019, issue p/The Champion. Grant Notice The Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Adult Education will open its multiyear adult education grant competition in January 2020. State and federal Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act grant funds can be used to provide adult education and literacy activities to individuals over the age of 16 without a high school diploma, as well as English language learners. TCSG will hold a technical assistance day for all interested applicants on February 10, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Chattahoochee Technical College. More information is available at https://tcsg.edu/adult-education/. TCSG is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Stone Mountain is currently accepting letters and/or resumes to fill vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission. Please refer to the following link of the City ordinance; https:// library.municode.com/ga/stone mountain/ codes/code of ordinances?nocleld=PTIICOOR_ CH5BUPRRE_ARTIIHIPRCO for more information on the commission. All appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission shall require a review by the governing authority, a nomination by the mayor and confirmation by the city council. All interested parties should forward letters or resumes, by January 15, 2020 to: Mayor Patricia Wheeler, Stone Mountain City Hall, 8/5 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Stone Mountain is currently accepting letters and/or resumes to fill vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Please refer to the following link of the City website; http://www. stonemountaincity.org/departments/planning_ and_zoning/index.php for more information on the committee. All appointments to the Planning & Zoning Committee shall require a review by the governing authority, a nomination by the mayor and confirmation by the city council. All interested parties should forward letters or resumes, by January 15, 2020 to: Mayor Patricia Wheeler, Stone Mountain City Hall, 8/5 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION, WINDING UP, AND TERMINATION OF DEKALB SURGICAL ALLIANCE, LLC & REQUEST FOR CLAIMS Notice is hereby given that DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, has dissolved, is in the process of winding up, and will be terminated. Notice is further given that DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC has filed with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office a Statement of Commencement of Winding Up in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 14-11-606 and other applicable Georgia law, if any. DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC requests that any and all persons with claims against DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC send a written statement - with such statement detailing the facts related to such claims, the nature of such claims, the amount of the claim, the date the claim arose, and the names and contact information of the persons relevant to such claims - to the registered agent of DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC at the following address: James Forstner or Current Registered Agent, DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC, 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033. Except for claims that are contingent at the time of the filing of the statement of commencement of winding up or that arise after the filing of the statement of commencement of winding up, a claim against DeKalb Surgical Alliance, LLC not otherwise barred will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within two (2) years after the publication of this Notice.