The way we spend money is very similar to the way we eat food. If something looks appetizing, we consume. Sometimes we can go overboard and indulge too much. That’s when the unhealthy aspect kicks in. As it pertains to food, you begin to gain additional weight – financially, the additional expenses that you’ve created for yourself begin to weigh heavily on you. When that happens, then it may be time to shed some pounds to get back on the right financial track.

When you imagine your financial future, what do you see? No more credit card debt? A larger nest egg? Finally having some spending cash? To make that vision a reality, you need a plan.

As 2017 comes to a close, it’s a great time to evaluate your financial picture for the year ahead. Here are some things to consider during the final stretch of the year.

So what really counts as an emergency? When life catches you off guard, ask yourself if the expense is really unexpected, necessary or urgent before dipping into your emergency savings fund

We're told we're supposed to save diligently for retirement during our working years, and socking away funds in a 401(k) is a great way to do so. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, you can consider yourself lucky. And if that 401(k) comes with a Roth savings option, consider yourself even luckier.

Yes, it’s true: spending money is fun. Buying a new TV, treating yourself to a massage, taking a vacation—all of these things can feel, well, awesome. Especially when you’re rewarding yourself for the hard work you do. But going into debt to be good to yourself? That takes a little of the shine off the experience, doesn’t it? Fortunately, it’s possible to enjoy life and manage debt, at the same time!

Can you believe over 52 million Americans have over 4 trillion dollars invested in 401(k) accounts? While most understand the mechanics behind the 401(k) – allowing workers to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out – many are not aware that there are things to think about regarding maximizing your account’s financial security.