Happy Holidays Now and in January

December 01, 2014

The holiday season is officially here and I can honestly say that it may take me a few days to fully recover from Thanksgiving dinner (and a few rounds of leftovers). Despite spending about 20 hours in a car, it was fun setting some time aside to do nothing but eat, watch football, and express a little gratitude. In our household, the peaceful tradition of starting an Advent calendar on December 1st is usually countered by the hectic activity of trying to coordinate family logistics for the next month. Continue reading “Happy Holidays Now and in January”

Shave Your Budget, Not Your Moustache

November 12, 2014

A recent Wells Fargo study found that 31% of survey respondents do not think they will have enough money to “survive” on in retirement, yet more than half say they plan to save later for retirement in order to “make up for not saving enough now.” If we have learned anything from Aesop’s fable regarding the ant and the grasshopper, it’s that waiting until later is NOT a good strategy. This is especially true when it comes to saving for retirement. Continue reading “Shave Your Budget, Not Your Moustache”

Lessons From a Veteran to Today’s Soldiers

November 11, 2014

If someone were to ask me what I am the most proud of, next to my husband and daughter, I would say that I am the most proud of serving in the military. The military is where I developed a strong work ethic. I also learned to think of others before myself and I learned to lead even though I may not have had all of the answers. I enjoyed every crazy moment in the military (well, if I am honest, the port-a-potties were not fun, yuck!) and I grew close to many of the servicemen. Continue reading “Lessons From a Veteran to Today’s Soldiers”

Do You Need Some Financial Flossing?

October 31, 2014

Recently I was talking with one of my coworkers and I said the following about something at work “It’s like flossing…I know I need to do it, and I do, but I try to find ways to postpone it as long as possible!” He thought it sounded like a blog topic about the financial lives of so many people, so here we are! What are some things that we KNOW we need to do financially, but they are so “not fun” that we either don’t do them or we keep putting them off indefinitely? Continue reading “Do You Need Some Financial Flossing?”

Surprising Info About “The Rich”

October 17, 2014

I love facts that challenge the conventional wisdom.  That’s why this article from US News & World Report was so enjoyable to read.  The “8 Biggest Myths About The Rich” were all things that I’ve heard people say when making assumptions about people with means.  Here’s my take on some of the myths and what I’ve seen in my career with investors most would call rich. Continue reading “Surprising Info About “The Rich””

Should You Have an Anti-Budget?

October 16, 2014

A friend of mine recently sent me this blog post called “How the Anti-Budget Can Save Your Wallet.” The basic premise is that a traditional budget isn’t realistic for most people because they just don’t stick to it and it isn’t even necessary to have one. Instead, it suggests simply setting aside your savings first (at least 20% of your income) and just spending the rest without having to categorize each of your expenses. Continue reading “Should You Have an Anti-Budget?”

What (If Anything) Will You Regret the Most in Retirement?

August 04, 2014

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who was simply living in the past? When I say living in the past, I don’t just mean the innocent act of reminiscing about better times or the so-called “good ole days.” I am referring to people that painfully dwell on the past. This can be painful for the person experiencing regret and can also be an emotional drain on those who constantly observe and listen to others experience the cycle of regret. Continue reading “What (If Anything) Will You Regret the Most in Retirement?”

Stay Off the Chex

July 15, 2014

I’m not warning you away from cereal, but from ChexSystems – a consumer reporting database used by 80% of financial institutions that determines whether you will be able to open a checking or savings account with a bank or credit union.  Any past banking issues within the last 5 years can appear on the report, including overdrafts, unsatisfied negative balances, fraudulent check deposits, or suspicious account activity. Unfortunately, low income individuals who are more susceptible to overdrawing their accounts are often barred from the traditional banking system and forced to use high cost check cashing options or pre-paid debit cards.  Continue reading “Stay Off the Chex”

I Don’t Even Know Where to Start!

May 23, 2014

I just got a new laptop and had to figure out what to do with all of my old files, work and personal, along with music, photos, and video. It was a chaotic mess.  There was my old personal laptop, my old work laptop, an old desktop and an iPad all in one corner.  It was like the land where technology goes to die.  I wasn’t totally sure how to manage the craziness that had become my tech life.  Continue reading “I Don’t Even Know Where to Start!”

How Much Income Will You Really Need During Retirement?

May 19, 2014

We hear a lot in the financial media about the looming retirement crisis in our country and in general, retirement confidence is lacking. Therefore, it comes with no surprise that one of the most frequently asked questions that financial planners receive is “am I on track for retirement?” This is commonly accompanied by this question: How much do I need to save for retirement? Continue reading “How Much Income Will You Really Need During Retirement?”

Are You Committing Financial Infidelity?

May 13, 2014

Have you ever cheated or lied to your spouse or significant other regarding a financial matter? Amazingly, 1/3rd of adults who combine their finances with a partner admit to committing financial infidelity, according to the June edition of Kiplinger’s Magazine.  The article highlights a recent survey that found that of those who reported a financial deception, 3 in ten had hid cash, a purchase, a bill, or even a bank account from their significant other, while 13% reported more significant lies such as how much they earned or how much they owed.   Continue reading “Are You Committing Financial Infidelity?”

You Might Be a Credit Card Addict If… (Part II)

May 02, 2014

Last week, I wrote about signs that you might have an issue with credit cards and potentially even be a credit card addict. Do any of those behaviors ring true with you? If so, you might want to make some serious tweaks to the way you manage your financial life. Continue reading “You Might Be a Credit Card Addict If… (Part II)”

You Might Be A Credit Card Addict If…

April 25, 2014

When I sit down to talk with someone about their finances, I get the basic information about how they are positioned in various areas of life such as age, kids, income, 401k contribution percentage and balance, other investments, rent/mortgage, other debts, etc…the standard questions a financial planner asks to quickly assess a situation. Something that is more common than I’d like it to be is hearing about the way people “manage” their debt load. When I read this article about credit card addiction, it really struck a chord with me.  I have heard each of the 10 behaviors that indicate a potential problem with credit cards…recently. Actually, I’ve heard all of them in just the last week.  Continue reading “You Might Be A Credit Card Addict If…”

What A Concert Festival Can Teach About Your Budget

February 21, 2014

One of the things that makes me happier than anything in the world are the relationships I have with my children. As a proud dad, I’d like to believe that I have three absolutely amazing kids. And, I’ve been told by many people over the last 18 years that my view is fairly close to reality.   Continue reading “What A Concert Festival Can Teach About Your Budget”

Personal Finance Tools Review: Mint

February 10, 2014

Mint is one of those financial tools that I have talked about so much since they appeared on the online budgeting scene that I often take for granted the fact that not everyone out there knows about their service. This week, we will look at Mint and review some of its most popular features. Mint has been around since 2007, boasts over 10 million users and has numerous awards, which is great and all, but all that really matters if you have an account is one thing – are you taking control of your money and making the smartest decisions possible? Here is a little more information about how it works and how you can potentially use Mint to help you reach your most important financial life goals. Continue reading “Personal Finance Tools Review: Mint”

Save Money With This Quick Two-Minute Drill

January 13, 2014

It is playoff time in the NFL and just four teams are left with a shot at the Super Bowl. (That’s Denver, New England, San Francisco or Seattle just in case you aren’t a fan of pro football or have managed to avoid the fanatics in your life that do care about the proverbial pigskin.) In the spirit of playoff season, I thought that I would accept a challenge from a colleague to put today’s blog post on the clock.  Continue reading “Save Money With This Quick Two-Minute Drill”

Explore Your Hidden Volcano

November 29, 2013

The Earth is still so full of mysteries even though we have had scientists exploring what seems like every nook and cranny of Earth’s surface, the oceans and the atmosphere. As much as we think we know (from a global perspective, not an individual one) about how the planet works, there is still much to learn and discover. Recently, there was some volcanic activity in Antarctica and the implications for the planet are completely unknown at this time.  It’s fascinating stuff!  (or at least it is to me) Continue reading “Explore Your Hidden Volcano”

What’s SUP With Your Budget?

September 09, 2013

A few months ago, I wrote about my own retirement planning journey and a list of things that I plan to do along the way.  The ultimate purpose was to find some balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. I’ve made some progress over the past few months and thanks to a friend who lives on a tidal creek, I was able to check a long awaited paddle boarding trip off my list.   Continue reading “What’s SUP With Your Budget?”

Is It Time For Your Mid-Year Financial Check Up?

June 24, 2013

Summertime is officially here and things around my house are just as hectic as ever.  With all of the upcoming events my kids have on the schedule like summer camps, swim lessons, dance lessons, soccer camps, reading lists, vacations, and staycations, we have to do a serious balancing act as parents.  (When I say “we,” I actually mean my wife, Heather, because I admit that she is the master organizer in our household.)  Continue reading “Is It Time For Your Mid-Year Financial Check Up?”