Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions: Part 3

November 09, 2015

During the last few weeks, I’ve pointed out some of my own financial failures. Well, these failures weren’t exactly complete financial fails because I learned something from them and moved forward with a greater sense of purpose for how to better use wealth to accomplish life goals. Perhaps it is the voyeuristic culture that we live in with constant social media updates and reality TV shows that condition some of us to enjoy seeing others make mistakes right in front our eyes. I don’t know what that really says about our society, but it may just make us feel better to see that others are a little more messed up in the head than we are. Continue reading “Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions: Part 3”

Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions: Part 2

November 02, 2015

Last week, I started a series of blog posts discussing some of my personal financial mistakes and the lessons that I’ve learned from them. I don’t know what has gotten into me lately but I am really starting to make a habit out of picking on my own money mistakes. Last month, I wrote in Forbes about some of the things that I have been spending money on in The Last 10 Things That I Bought and was able to identify just how easy it is to get off track with our spending plans. Continue reading “Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions: Part 2”

Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions

October 26, 2015

Have you ever made some really dumb mistakes with your money? Perhaps your rational brain was screaming “No!” at the time but your emotional brain won the battle.Well, even though I may be a professional financial planner tasked with leading others to smart financial decision-making, I’ve had some major money missteps along this journey called life too. This week is the first in a series of blog posts about a few of my biggest blunders and how I tried to turn those mistakes into some good old fashioned life lessons. (Unfortunately, some life lessons can be quite expensive.) Continue reading “Finding Some Good In My Worst Financial Decisions”

What Coach Swinney Can Teach Us About Financial Wellness

October 19, 2015

It has undoubtedly been an excellent start to the college football season for Clemson University. No matter what happens the rest of the year, Coach Dabo Swinney created some bulletin board material for locker rooms and office environments across the country. After Clemson held off a spirited comeback by Notre Dame, Coach Swinney delivered this masterpiece video when asked about the team’s success: Continue reading “What Coach Swinney Can Teach Us About Financial Wellness”

Downsizing Your Retirement Expenses

October 12, 2015

As people get closer to retirement, priorities change. The financial resources spent on home improvements and the time and energy necessary to maintain a full-sized home often become a little more of a burden. As kids leave the house and launch into their careers and start building their own families, there’s often a bunch of unneeded space. Continue reading “Downsizing Your Retirement Expenses”

10 Ways To Celebrate Financial Planning Week

October 05, 2015

Did you know that this week is the Financial Planning Association’s® 14th annual “Financial Planning Week?” The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the financial planning process and to enable individuals and families to make prudent financial decisions. You can visit FinancialPlanningDays.org to see if a one-on-one financial planning advice event or educational workshops is being offered in your area. In the spirit of smart financial decision making, here are 10 ways to celebrate Financial Planning Week along with some of our thoughts on how finesse your personal finances: Continue reading “10 Ways To Celebrate Financial Planning Week”

Passive Income Strategies For Retirement (And Now)

September 28, 2015

Last week, I had lunch with my good friend Brian who just happens to be a local realtor. Normally when we hang out, it is on the soccer field so as a result, we don’t get to discuss business too often. However, our recent discussion was a little different because we actually had time to talk about some passive income strategies. Continue reading “Passive Income Strategies For Retirement (And Now)”

5 Retirement Questions You Need To Ask

September 21, 2015

When do you plan on retiring? When I ask this question during financial wellness workshops and webinars, I find that most people have at least a ballpark idea of when they would like to have the freedom to quit work. In fact, some people completely light up with a lightning fast response of “yesterday, today, or tomorrow” when I ask about that desired retirement date. For most of us, retirement is a top financial priority and there can be a difference between “desired” retirement dates and the actual realistic target date for retirement. Regardless of what your vision of the ideal retirement may look like, here are five basic questions that should be at the heart of all retirement planning activities: Continue reading “5 Retirement Questions You Need To Ask”

Enjoy Your Labor Day!

September 07, 2015

Happy Labor Day! On behalf of the team at Financial Finesse, I hope that your weekend was an enjoyable one. Today, I am taking a break from blogging for the Labor Day holiday. Continue reading “Enjoy Your Labor Day!”

Are You Financially Exposed?

August 31, 2015

If you had to expose your finances or pictures of yourself wearing only your “birthday suit,” which one would you choose? A recent survey from MasterCard revealed that a majority of Americans are concerned about financial information and Social Security numbers being exposed. In fact, consumers said they were less concerned about having their email accounts hacked (62%) or having their home robbed (59%). Going back to that not-so-lovely thought of having your private pictures made not so private, 55 percent said they would rather have naked pictures exposed online than their personal financial information stolen. Continue reading “Are You Financially Exposed?”

Is Uber Cheaper Than A Car Payment?

August 24, 2015

My colleague Doug Spencer asked himself that question when his oldest daughter began to drive and so far for him, the answer is “yes!” Like many families, they have two busy kids going in different directions for school, activities and work and with a third driver, a third car seemed like the answer. For many people it probably is, but here are the reasons that Doug has decided to hold off on purchasing another car: Continue reading “Is Uber Cheaper Than A Car Payment?”

Is Your Financial Plan Too Complicated?

August 17, 2015

I am a big fan of the KISS principle when it comes to having a written financial plan.No, I don’t mean the Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons version of KISS. (Although I’m a big fan of Rock & Brews every time I’m out in El Segundo, California.) I mean Keep It Simple Stupid (or keep it simple smarty-pants if the word “stupid” is deemed offensive in your household). Continue reading “Is Your Financial Plan Too Complicated?”

Can You Put Your Investment Plan On A Note Card?

August 10, 2015

Does investing seem complicated? Despite the presence of overly complicated financial strategies and the often vexing financial jargon used by financial professionals, investing does not have to be so complex.Investing is simply a balancing act where the challenge is to find the ideal balance between risk and reward. Continue reading “Can You Put Your Investment Plan On A Note Card?”

When Does A Roth IRA Or 401(k) Work Best?

August 03, 2015

As a financial planner, I find people are pretty predictable about their feelings on income taxes: hardly any of them want to pay more than is absolutely necessary, and they feel like other people don’t pay enough! The US tax code has incentives and rules meant to encourage us to do specific things like buy a home, make charitable gifts and save for retirement. But is there any value in actually paying taxes up front rather than put them off if you can? Continue reading “When Does A Roth IRA Or 401(k) Work Best?”

5 Myths About Social Security

July 27, 2015

I’m going to unofficially declare last week as National Social Security Awareness Week as a result of the questions I got in a series of workshops that I facilitated on retirement planning. I don’t think a week of Social Security actually exists on the calendar but with all the confusion surrounding Social Security there probably needs to be one. Here are some common myths I’ve heard: Continue reading “5 Myths About Social Security”

How To Determine Your Financial Priorities With A Late Start To Retirement

July 20, 2015

We hear a lot about the retirement crisis in America and there’s a great deal to be concerned about these days. With a decline in pension availability and concerns about the long-term viability of Social Security, the burden of saving for retirement rests squarely on our shoulders. However, the average American has less than $25,000 in total savings and investments for retirement (see EBRI’s 2015 Retirement Confidence Survey). Continue reading “How To Determine Your Financial Priorities With A Late Start To Retirement”

Should You Plan For Retirement Or Seek Financial Independence?

July 13, 2015

When our team of financial planners asks others about their top financial concerns and priorities there is a consistent answer – retirement. In fact, our financial wellness reports usually show that every age group with the exception of those under 30 indicate that their top financial planning priority is indeed retirement planning. This probably comes as no surprise because everywhere you look these days financial services companies are bombarding us with clever messages to shift our focus to retirement. The Financial Finesse blog team, which I am a contributing member of, frequently writes about different aspects of the retirement planning process as well. Continue reading “Should You Plan For Retirement Or Seek Financial Independence?”

Continue Celebrating Freedom All Year Long

July 06, 2015

I have fond memories of Independence Day weekend dating back to my early childhood days. Our traditional family vacation spot was always the Emerald Coast on the Florida panhandle right in the heart of what some affectionately refer to as the “Redneck Riviera.” I’ve always felt the gravitational forces pulling me towards the coast and as a result, the “married with children” version of my immediately family also likes to head to the coast to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Continue reading “Continue Celebrating Freedom All Year Long”

7 Things To Do Before Summer Is Over

June 29, 2015

Most of us would agree that it’s important to schedule regular medical and dental check-ups at least once per year. Whether or not we actually follow through with those wellness visits is another story. I admit to recently realizing that I am long overdue with the scheduling of my annual check-up so last week I dedicated an entire 15 minutes to the schedule so I could get those “should be” routine visits on the calendar. Continue reading “7 Things To Do Before Summer Is Over”

Unbiased Financial Guidance: Q&A With Kelley Long

June 22, 2015

I consider it a privilege to be a part of such an amazing team here at Financial Finesse.It has now officially been four years since I made the decision to leave my financial planning practice to join the financial wellness movement and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. I’m also pretty stoked to always have a group of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals available to provide me with a second opinion on my own financial decisions or to just help me validate that I am on the right path with my personal financial life plan. Continue reading “Unbiased Financial Guidance: Q&A With Kelley Long”