Climbing The Debt Mountain

May 29, 2015

One of the things I love to see is a different perspective. When we hire a new financial planner on our team, they offer a lot of “new employee energy,” a fresh set of eyes and a different life experience to the table. Fortunately, we recently hired Cynthia Meyer as a part of our team and she sent me this blog post about her view on a very common type of call that we see on our Financial Helpline.  I like her approach… Continue reading “Climbing The Debt Mountain”

The Non-Planner Perspective

May 15, 2015

I began paying rent when I was about 21 years old while living with a roommate. I was making pretty good money for my age and a couple of years later, decided it was time for my own space. Of course, with that, came more financial responsibility. Continue reading “The Non-Planner Perspective”

The Best Laid Plans…

May 14, 2015

Let’s face it. No matter how perfectly you plan your expenses, life will always throw you those unexpected curveballs that could wreak havoc on even the best of budgets. After all, it’s impossible to account for everything that could possibly happen to your life. I’m not just talking about the real emergencies like a broken car you need to get to work. There are also things like weddings to attend and your kid’s piano lessons…not exactly “emergencies” but not quite frivolous spending either. Here are some ways to prevent these expenses from derailing your financial plans: Continue reading “The Best Laid Plans…”

Passing On Your Money Skills

May 05, 2015

Working as a financial planner gave me the opportunity to meet so many people and to hear their amazing stories as to how they became wealthy. Most came from humble means, from former refugees who did not speak English, to former teenage moms, to those that grew up in foster care. Their stories are an inspiration.   Continue reading “Passing On Your Money Skills”

Do You and Your Spouse Have Different Money Philosophies?

April 14, 2015

My husband and I facilitate a class for newly married couples. In light of today’s environment, I am finding that many of the “newlyweds” range from young couples in their 20’s to executive in their 40’s to grandparents in their 60’s. Surprisingly, the biggest conflict is the same with all the couples: different money philosophies. Continue reading “Do You and Your Spouse Have Different Money Philosophies?”

“Worthless” Hunks of Junk

April 10, 2015

My daughter and I were talking about cars recently.She borrowed mine to “allow me” to drive hers for a few days to see if I could figure out what was the source of a noise coming from her car. After driving it for two days, I couldn’t figure out the noise but I was able to fill up her empty gas tank, check her fluids and inflate her tires.   Continue reading ““Worthless” Hunks of Junk”

In Defense of Tax Refunds

April 03, 2015

My friend Sana is awesome. She has the ability to point out a view that I may not have considered before and makes me take a step back a minute and consider other angles.  Maybe this blog post can do for others what she has done for me at times.  
 Continue reading “In Defense of Tax Refunds”

How a Journal Gave Me a New Perspective on Money

March 25, 2015

A few months ago, I started to keep a journal so that I could capture my thoughts about life and record them for the benefit of my children. I figure I work all day long and don’t really have much time to teach them some of the important lessons that I’ve learned along the way. My hope is that one day they will pick up my journal and hear my voice as I speak to them about what is really important. In the same way, there are some things that are just more important than others when it comes to our finances. Here’s how journaling has helped me deal with this concern: Continue reading “How a Journal Gave Me a New Perspective on Money”

Only You Can Prevent Financial Fires

March 24, 2015

Not to date myself, but I used to love the Smokey the Bear commercials about how, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.” Well, when it comes to financial fires, the same rule applies. Although everything around you seems like it is out of your control, there are things within your control that you can do. Continue reading “Only You Can Prevent Financial Fires”

Money Management For a Busy Single Mom

March 10, 2015

Years ago, I had a friend who was trying to get her finances together but she was struggling as to how to do it. She was a single, recently divorced, full-time working mother of four, with three of the kids under the age of 5. I knew whatever strategy we developed had to be easy and automated. Continue reading “Money Management For a Busy Single Mom”

Don’t Take Financial Advice From Pop Music

February 27, 2015

I was out with friends recently and a new song from Pitbull and NeYo started playing. The song created a rush to the dance floor and given that when I dance, people think I’m either having a seizure or in some sort of pain, I opted to grab beverages for our group instead of risking injury (mostly to others) on the dance floor.  As I was waiting for the drinks to be poured, I started listening to the lyrics of the song. Continue reading “Don’t Take Financial Advice From Pop Music”

How to Manage Money as a Couple

February 24, 2015

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”

How To Overcome Financial Avoidance

February 23, 2015

I have had the privilege to work with so many incredible people throughout my career as a financial planning professional. Imagine having the opportunity to listen to people as they share their unique life stories, talk about current challenges, and explore future life goals. Money is a powerful force in our lives and how we choose to use it is up to each individual. What’s even more amazing to me is the fact that the topic of money is not something that everyone is comfortable talking to others about. But sometimes the type of person that needs the most financial guidance is also one of the most challenging groups of people to actually get in front of – these are the money avoiders. Continue reading “How To Overcome Financial Avoidance”

You Are Not Your Financial Situation

January 27, 2015

When I tell people what I do for a living, I almost always get questions on how to become financially secure. As I started to talk to people, I noticed that a pattern started to emerge. People started connecting themselves to their financial situation vs. seeing their situation as a temporary situation. Continue reading “You Are Not Your Financial Situation”

Are You On a Crash Course to Disaster?

January 23, 2015

One of the more interesting stories I’ve seen recently in the world of sports is about a guy named Rob Konrad, a former NFL player, who fell off his boat and swam 9 miles to shore.  It took him about 16 hours, he had hypothermia, and he couldn’t walk but at least he survived the ordeal. Along the way, he was circled by a shark and had to fight waves, wind and the dark in order to make it home safely.  Continue reading “Are You On a Crash Course to Disaster?”

What to Do for 2015

January 16, 2015

I usually view “what to do at year end” and “what to do to start the new year” financial articles with great disdain (the same way I typically avoid writing “theme” blog posts for Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ & Fathers’ Day, Independence Day [is there any bigger cliché?], and any other over-played theme). However, I have spent most of my work hours early in 2015 talking to people who want to look at things they can do in the next 12 months in order to make progress toward becoming financially secure.  It’s only because I have been asked so often that I’ll cave in, become part of the crowd and write a “What To Do for 2015” suggestion list. Continue reading “What to Do for 2015”

My “NO” Year’s Resolutions!

December 31, 2014

This New Year’s Eve, millions of people across the country will make New Year’s resolutions about things they’d like to do in 2015.  I’m all in favor of this annual tradition but to mix things up a bit, I’m going to suggest a few things that you DON’T want to do in 2015—something I’m calling “No” Year’s resolutions: Continue reading “My “NO” Year’s Resolutions!”

How to Roll with the Punches

December 15, 2014

Last week, my family was just beginning a six hour trip home from Orlando, Florida when a major brain cloud of forgetfulness appeared that cost us money. After getting the family wagon loaded with kids, wife, parents, and luggage at a record setting time for punctuality and efficiency, our crew was ready to go. (It is important to note the small victory this appeared to be at the time because I am known to operate on “island time” when in vacation mode.) Google Maps was even confirming an estimated arrival that would leave us plenty of time at home to finally put lights on our sad and extremely naked tree and to do some Christmas shopping​. Continue reading “How to Roll with the Punches”