As a planner, I like being organized. So, when I saw the Netflix show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, like many of you — it became my new guilty pleasure. For those unfamiliar, Marie Kondo is a superstar in the world of organizing who has completely revolutionized the art of decluttering with her trademarked “KonMari Method”. Her philosophy is simple: … Read More
Why Nancy Drew is Poor
How many of you read Nancy Drew mysteries under the covers with a flashlight when you were growing up? She was the greatest. She was clever and pretty, without being pretentious, and she always solved the mystery at hand, helping a great number of widows and orphans. Our childhood role models, however, don’t always cut it when we reach adulthood. … Read More
Financial Planning for the Modern Family
David and Karen are a typical busy family. David works for a mid-sized firm in the marketing department and earns a good income. Karen is the primary caregiver for their three kids and does some part-time work on the side. They haul the kids to soccer and dance classes. Both volunteer with their favorite charities. They spend time at the … Read More
7 Tips for Making the Most of Your 401(k)/403(b) Account
Saving for retirement is the most boring thing you can imagine. You set aside money, don’t look at it, and hope it grows. Employers know this, which is why 401(k) and 403(b) accounts are so popular. 401(k) plans are sponsored by corporations and other employers, while 403(b) plans are offered by non-profits, medical facilities and educational institutions. Though they do … Read More
How Much Income Will You Really Need in Retirement?
Have you spent any time envisioning what your retirement will look like? I have. Here’s our ideal plan. My husband retires from his company when our youngest heads off to college. Then we sell our home and move to the mountains. “The mountain home I don’t have,” as I call it, will be smaller than our current home, very energy … Read More
Total Compensation: Understanding Benefits Packages in Your Job
At this time of year, you probably receive your benefits package from your employer. As you evaluate them, don’t overlook their value as you consider your overall compensation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, benefits accounted for around 30% of employer costs of compensation in 2025, with salary making up the other 70%. Put another way, the total compensation … Read More
Should You Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement
Pay down debt or save for retirement? Many of my clients have a lot of competing priorities, and the most common one is whether to pay down debt, or save for retirement. It’s probably a question we have all asked ourselves at one time or another. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are certainly some pros and cons to both … Read More
Making Sense of Annuities…and Beer
Just I If you have been outside any this summer, you know that the weather is oppressive. It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. That was the thing we forgot about on our last camping trip. Instead of heading to the mountains where it’s always cooler, we headed to the piedmont on the hottest, most humid weekend of the summer … Read More
Investing 101: 5 Things You Should Know to Understand Your Investments
Whether you are investing for the very first time or you want to analyze the vitality of an existing portfolio, you will need to understand a few basic principles. After all, investing can be scary, and going into it blind or making your decisions based off of a hunch could lead to disaster. So, what should every investor know before … Read More
The Secrets to Saving for College
Whether you’re raising one, two, or more kids, having children adds another layer to your financial plan. You need to account for another mouth to house and feed, but on top of that, you need to plan ahead for their education. Unfortunately, today’s college funding landscape is far from inviting. For the class of 2018, nearly 70% of college graduates … Read More