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Clarity in the New Year. by Paco de Leon

The start of a New Year is a beautiful time. It's full of potential; a natural inflection point; a pause. Whether it's true or not, it feels like everyone is focused on reflection and intention. We're all making space for ourselves and with that comes giving space to others. And that space allows us clarity, if we choose to seek it.

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The Importance of Knowing Yourself by Paco de Leon

A lot of smart people before us have stressed the importance of knowing one's self. Ancient civilizations of our world, thought leaders and philosophers have touted the virtue of this. This still persists today. Depending on who you ask and what school of belief you subscribe to, knowing yourself has been framed as the literal meaning of life. 

Self examination plays a huge role in your personal economics. Knowing who what you value and what has influenced impact your decisions and your goals 

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Why You Need Year-End Tax Planning with Your Accountant by Paco de Leon

Full disclosure: I'm not an accountant. I just get to hang out with them, which makes me dangerous to myself and others. This isn't tax advice. It's advice to seek tax advice.

We should all show our accountants some love. They bust their asses reading, interpreting and applying the tax laws. They file our taxes. They walk through the fire of dealing with the IRS and other tax authorities. And they help us at the end of the year with tax planning.

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Why You Need An Emergency Fund. by Paco de Leon

There are plenty of people who don't have an emergency fund. In fact, nearly 30 percent of Americans don't, according to a report by NeighborWorks America

70 percent of Americans who do have emergency fund savings are lucky. Better yet, they're #blessed. It is a fucking luxury, just like an overpriced Yeezy hoodie. The reality is that it's just not a reality for everyone, unfortunately. 

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Do Your Best. Always. At Everything. by Paco de Leon

Do your best. Always. At everything. It's hard, but more often than not, you'll feel better than if you hadn't tried your best. Even if you fail or look stupid or fall short. It's possible that the euphoria and pride of doing your best outweighs everything else. It might even motivate you to try harder next time around. And if you do that consistently, whatever limits you originally placed on the outcome could dissolve. And that's when and where magical and interesting shit can happen.

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The Virtue of Retirement Savings: How Much Should You Save? by Paco de Leon

Not everyone can save for retirement because they're can barely get by.  So for the those of you who can, this is a privilege you should take advantage of. Those of you who think you can't, do the numbers and see just how short your savings are. Even if you're a disadvantaged player in the system, operate with as much knowledge as possible. Use the calculator to understand how much you'll need in retirement and how much you should be saving each month. 

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