I recently ran into some old friends of mine at a school event. It’s amazing how people get paired with their opposites. The wife is carefree and never gets upset. The husband is about one obsession shy of having OCD. Continue reading “Treat Christmas Shopping Like a Military Operation”
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”
I was talking to a young married couple who was fighting over money. What fascinated me the most was that they just got back from their honeymoon. The ink is not even dry on their wedding certificate and they are already screaming divorce. They then came to me for advice. As l listened, it sounded like my husband and myself during our first year or marriage and I shared some of the lessons learned in how to manage money as a couple, especially when you are very different people. Continue reading “How to Manage Money as a Couple”
It is hard to believe that summer is winding down and school is right around the corner. I talk to many other parents this time of year who have a wide range of thoughts regarding the back to school routine. Some ask “where did all of the time go” while others cannot wait to get their cute little monsters out of the house and out of their hair. If you are a parent with school-aged children, you are likely experiencing a similar feeling of disappointment/relief. Continue reading “My Back to School Checklist”
Last week I told you that Susan and I celebrated our seventeenth wedding anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, I recalled some of the financial milestones we’ve accomplished along the way. One might think that as a financial planner my financial road has always been straight, but as I reflected on some of the steps I’ve taken forward, it also occurred to me that at times I’ve had to take a step or two back. For example, there have been several times throughout my career where I’ve had to take a pay cut. Whether it is by chance or by choice, you may be faced with the same decision someday. Here are a few reasons why taking a pay cut may be the right decision at the right time: Continue reading “When Does It Make Sense to Take a Pay Cut?”
My wife has long ranted about the ills of my business travel (I have four kids all under the age of 12). Today I’m on a quest to end this arcane practice of old-school business with a little help from my friend the virtual workshop. To understand the virtues of the virtual workshop we must first understand the good and the bad of the live workshop.
