As they say, you can never be too thin or too rich. This New Year's resolutions column is not about weight loss. It offers tips to help improve your financial position in 2004.

While these tips may seem general, many apply to those who work in the health care field.

Some may require you to check with your employer's human resources department, to review items with an accountant or an attorney. To make some of these suggestions work, pull out your calendar and set appointments with yourself.

Reduce your debt. If you're in a financial squeeze after the holidays, plan to pay your mortgage and bills for essential services first. Next, pay off your highest-interest credit cards.

Pay off credit cards after your mortgage because credit cards are unsecured debt. If you default on your mortgage or rent payment, you could lose your housing. If you default on a credit card, you've jeopardized your credit history, but at least you have a place to live. Credit card companies will sometimes negotiate lower interest rates or payment plans.

Build a cash-reserve fund. It's a good idea to have at least six months salary in cash reserves. If you don't, start small by putting a portion of each paycheck into a special savings account.

Increase your retirement savings. For 2003, you can contribute up to $3,000 to a Roth IRA (plus $500 more if you're older then 50). Check on current contributions to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans and make the maximum contributions. Contributions may be made until you file your 2003 tax return or through April 15, 2004.

Pledge the coming year's bonuses and salary increases to reducing high-interest debt, building your cash reserve for emergencies or increasing your investment portfolio.

Review your insurance coverage. Life insurance is meant to protect your family if something should happen to you as the breadwinner. Disability insurance can protect income if you're unable to continue working. If you can't get a disability policy through work, investigate purchasing one on your own.

Update your beneficiaries for your retirement plans, insurance policies and will.

Revisit your will. If you don't have a will, get one. There are computer programs to help you craft a basic will; make sure it's notarized.

As a health care professional, you probably know the value of a power-of-attorney document that designates an individual to act on your behalf in financial and/or health care matters. Most hospitals now require them for patients before admission or surgery.

However, have YOU designated a power-of-attorney? Who is officially authorized to make health care decisions for you if you are unable? Designating a power-of-attorney is a simple process that requires a lawyer, but it's not expensive.