Before you start investing your hard-earned money, create a game plan to make sure your investments match your needs, your goals and even your values. Here are some tips for investing your money based on things that matter most to you.

Define your investment goals

Let’s say you want to have money available to supplement your income at retirement. Before you start saving and investing toward this goal, ask yourself exactly what you want. How much money will you need? When will you retire? What’s the best investment account to fund?

Your credit score is the key to getting approved for a loan with a lower interest rate. The lower the interest rates on your loans, the more income you’ll have available for other uses, including saving for retirement.

Here are four simple ways to improve your score on the credit scoring system that most financial institutions and mortgage lenders use.

Tax credits are great way to lower your tax bill, dollar for dollar, and save you money. So, don’t let them slip by you. Here are a few you might be overlooking.