A New Tool in the College Selection Game

November 07, 2014

With one daughter in college and two boys following her down that path over the next decade, the whole concept of “bang for your buck” regarding college costs hits rather close to home right now. Every parent would be pleased to learn that their child got accepted into Ivy League schools. Fewer would be pleased when the tuition payments came due!  And after graduation, when the total cost of the education was known and a child with a liberal arts degree went into a job market that isn’t currently rewarding, that type of degree from there would be even less joy.  Continue reading “A New Tool in the College Selection Game”

Student Loan Debt a Major Threat

August 15, 2014

I read this article about student loan debt resulting in a portion of a man’s Social Security income being garnished. In the article, not only is the garnishment discussed but also discussed is the growing trend of older Americans still having outstanding student loan debt. If that debt is not repaid prior to retirement, Social Security payments may be impacted and the retirement lifestyle that you’re expecting may come up short. It reminded me of a couple of situations I’ve encountered in coaching sessions recently where student loan debt became a central part of the conversation. Continue reading “Student Loan Debt a Major Threat”

Is A Degree Worth It? How It Can Impact Your Career

June 15, 2014

With the cost of an education rising year after year, is it still worth it to get your college degree? Although it may not seem worth spending $50,000, there are real benefits to doing so. With all of the grants and financial aid available, the cost is often not as high as you would expect either. Here are some benefits to getting a college degree or going back to school for even more education: Continue reading “Is A Degree Worth It? How It Can Impact Your Career”

The Case Against “Moderation”

August 01, 2013

In this blog post, Michael makes the argument for a moderate middle ground between a couple he knows that are living well beyond their means and another couple he read about in this article that managed to pay off their mortgage in less than 5  years. While paying off your mortgage early may seem like a great thing, Michael worries that the couple may look back on this time of their lives with regret at all the things they didn’t do with that money. I don’t and here’s why. Continue reading “The Case Against “Moderation””

My Best and Worst Investments Ever

July 12, 2013

Some of the questions that come up a lot in conversations about personal finances deal with the subject of investing. What can I invest in now to make the most money over the next year? What should I invest in now?  What have been your best and worst investments ever?  While the questions about what to do today are not questions that I can answer, the best and worst investment decisions I’ve ever made are questions I could take in a lot of different directions. Continue reading “My Best and Worst Investments Ever”

Actions Have Consequences

June 28, 2013

My daughter lives with her iPhone and if it isn’t working 100% correctly, I get a phone call pretty quickly. One day when she was in school, her phone fell off of her desk and the screen cracked. (Why it was on her desk at school is the subject of an entirely different kind of blog post…)  That aside, she is still walking around with her cracked screen and isn’t all that happy about it.  Continue reading “Actions Have Consequences”

Setting Financial Priorities for the New Year

December 27, 2012

Now that Christmas is over and we’re approaching the New Year, you may start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and many of those probably involve financial goals. But we all have a limited amount of cash flow to work with. Which of those goals should you prioritize first? Continue reading “Setting Financial Priorities for the New Year”

How to Get Tax Relief for College Expenses

May 30, 2012

We’ve been talking for the last few months about the challenges of sending a child to college. First comes the choice of savings vehicles from the hundreds of options: state-sponsored 529s, private plans, Coverdell accounts, and self-managed investments. Then comes the crash course in financial aid, where parents and students have to figure out their eligibility for grants, scholarships, and government and private loans.   Continue reading “How to Get Tax Relief for College Expenses”

Is Graduate School a Good Investment?

May 10, 2012

Are you or someone you know thinking about going back to school? If so, you’re not alone. With the job market still weak, more and more people are wondering if it makes sense to go to grad school as a way to make themselves more employable. Continue reading “Is Graduate School a Good Investment?”

Getting Smart About College Costs

February 29, 2012

Just about every parent thinks about the day when his or her child leaves home with a blend of pride and sadness.  Today’s parents with college-bound children probably add a measure of financial anxiety into the emotional mix.   Not only are these kids emptying all their stuff from the upstairs bedroom, they may also be emptying their parent’s bank accounts and hopes for a secure retirement. Continue reading “Getting Smart About College Costs”

Fact Check Your Investments

January 20, 2011

One of the (many) aspects of my job is being part of our ongoing fact checking process.  We are constantly staying on top of the latest in tax law changes that can encompass everything from retirement plan limits to education and estate planning issues.  Needless to say we are kept busy! Continue reading “Fact Check Your Investments”