LUFKIN – The Texas Department of Transportation is announcing a road closure beginning Saturday morning and lasting through Sunday evening on Business 59 near SL 287.

Work is scheduled at the A&NR Railroad Bridge on BU 59/North Timberland Drive that will require traffic to be rerouted for the duration of the weekend. Motorists will be directed with signage on SL 287, US 59 North or BU 59/Timberland Drive to continue on the loop to the intersection of Kurth Drive where they will be directed back northbound to the intersection of North Timberland, just south of the construction project.

Austin Road & Bridge, contractors for the $11.3 million project, is scheduled to hang steel beams that will construct a temporary railroad bridge at the construction site that will allow the railroad to continue operations while the old bridge is removed and a permanent bridge constructed.

The closure is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Saturday and the roadway is expected to reopen by evening hours Sunday. Motorists are asked to remain alert to detour signs, reduce speed in the area and prepare to take alternate routes.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

If your 2016 resolution is to spend less and save more, you’re not alone. A quarter of US consumers are making money-saving resolutions, according to Nielsen surveys.

While everyone sets out with the best of intentions, the truth is that only eight percent of us are successful at achieving our New Year’s goals, according to research published in the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology. With a little preparation you can be the exception to the rule.

• Prioritize goals: While you may think that saving money, getting promoted at work and earning a significant pay increase sound like great aspirations, you may be biting off more than you can chew. Instead of making a long list of possible resolutions, determine one or two top priorities so you can fully devote yourself to those goals.

• Make Measurable, Attainable Resolutions: Once you’ve set your money-saving goals, determine how you’ll measure success. For example, if you are saving for your dream vacation, determine how much to set aside for the trip and how much to save each month to reach that goal. Then, set short- and long-term milestones to help you stay motivated.

• Save for a rainy day: Putting away a small amount every week for emergencies can add up to big savings in the long run.

• Replace household items: Even though your refrigerator or fixtures may be working fine, they may be using more energy or water than they should. To save on water bills choose a quality faucet with a lower flow rate. For example, the new Kaden high-arc pulldown kitchen faucet from Moen offers a low flow rate with a sleek design that’s easy on the wallet. It’s long-lasting, too, which also saves money in the long run, as it’s offered in Moen’s exclusive Spot Resist Stainless finish, which helps resist fingerprints and water spots to maintain the brilliance of the fixture.

• Repurpose your stuff: One way to save is by repurposing what you already own. Use the New Year as a time to clean out closets, empty storage units and breathe new life into items by refinishing furniture or updating existing pieces of clothing. You can even sell clothes you don’t wear as often through your own shop on websites like eBay or Poshmark.

• Heat up your savings: If you rely on oil to heat your home, contact your energy provider to determine whether you can pre-pay to lock into lower rates. This way, you won’t have to worry about rising prices when the temperatures go down.

Setting achievable goals and planning ahead can help you stick with your resolution to save money.

(StatePoint)

Marc Sarner, president of Wake Up Financial and Insurance Services Inc. (www.wakeupretirement.net), wants to reach the droves of baby boomers, many of whom are ill-equipped for retirement.

On his website are multiple resources for getting pre-retirees and retirees started, especially those who are uncomfortable about their portfolio.

Four in 10 baby boomers have no retirement savings and only 27 percent are confident that they’ll have enough money to last through their retirement, according to the Insured Retirement Institute. And, nearly 70 percent of boomers have no defined pension plans.

“Just because you’re already retired doesn’t mean you have a firm grasp of your retirement funding, or that it’s working at an optimal level,” Sarner says. “Perhaps what I fear most of all are those who have a deep aversion to confronting this issue because, in their minds, they don’t know where to begin.”

In order to hurdle the sometimes high wall of aversion, Sarner and his team at Wake Up have implemented various tools for engagement. One of them is a downloadable guide for learning 10 important variables to consider as pre-retirees and retirees create a sound retirement income strategy for the days ahead. The guide covers the range of variables to consider when trying to create or reform a portfolio, including Social Security, creating an income stream, outlining a schedule during retirement, heath care and the various financial products available.

Also on the site’s resource page are calculators for Social Security benefits and inflation, which can affect retirement income significantly in the long term.

“Again, these resources are helpful tools for engaging folks who may be in the beginning phases of seeking help in affording retirement,” Sarner says. “Of course, there are the ‘D.I.Y.’ individuals who know plenty, but want to know more. Laws change and understanding how to adjust one’s portfolio can be tricky, too.”

About Marc Sarner

As president of Wake Up Financial and Insurance Services, Inc. (www.wakeupretirement.net) for nearly two decades, Marc Sarner provides retirement solutions for retirees and pre-retirees that focus on reducing taxes, increasing income and managing risks. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University.