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You are responsible for many of your own tax decisions. Small-business owners, independent contractors, and full-time employees at major corporations all have the right to make the most of their income. Yes, the government dips into your paycheck long before you get it, but there are things you can do to protect some of your income and start saving for the future.

We usually reserve the New Year for health or occupational resolutions. While some of these goals may involve a shift in finances, it might be time to look at the financial patterns you have inhabited. There is no time like the present to make changes, and there are no better habits to break in 2017 than those below:

Spending > Earning

There are several issues that can create trouble for a couple's relationship. Financial matters usually take first place as money can quickly complicate the smallest of things. Whether it is reckless spending by one person, or a lack of financial strength by the other, monetary attributes tend to put blame on individuals.

The New Year always seems like the most popular time people are more inclined to set goals, or resolutions for themselves. While the concept can be positive and healthy, we feel there is an even better route you can take that will keep the good spirits up year-round. Why wait until the end of the year to set some goals that you will probably only follow through with until the middle of year?

Economic markets are volatile environments wherein a strengthening US Dollar can mean problems for the market as American goods become more expensive overseas. While a drop in the value of the dollar can lead to slow-downs at home, as exports increase by spending at home decreases as goods become costlier for average consumers.

If you have never heard of or considered an estate plan, you may have since the passing of music legend Prince. As the superstar's death and battle over his estate play out in the public eye, everyone is getting a firsthand lesson in the value of an estate plan.

It is important to sit down from time to time and review your portfolio to make sure that your investment strategy and allocation still has you on track toward financial stability in the future. The following describes why it is important to review your portfolio, and when you should consider changes.

Why Make Changes?

As you go through your working life, you ideally spend decades setting aside money in a private investment account to aid in the creation of a stable safety net for your retirement.

Most people do not spend their entire working life in the same job or with the same company without at least reassessing their position at some point in time. To think of it another way, you would not keep the same one-bedroom apartment you had as newlyweds when you start having children.

We set a lot of New Year resolutions. We want to lose weight, get more sleep, or finally learn to play that guitar that has been collecting dust. Despite our varied objectives, we all can agree that we do not want to start the New Year with new debt.