Insurance is designed to make you whole if the unexpected should happen. While banks and mortgage companies require us to have homeowners insurance, you may not have it if you are renting. Given the cost, Renters Insurance provides a huge value. Karina Moretz, ChFC®, shares her story of how Renters Insurance saved them thousands. Pre-Insurance Once upon a time I … Read More
Build Your Financial Planning Tower
Building a Financial Planning Tower may seem like a lot of work. Any time you are building something, you want it to be strong so it will last. The top layers need to stand on a sturdy foundation so it won’t topple or break. This is equally true for financial planning. Let’s explore how to build a financial planning tower … Read More
COVID and the CARES Act – What Working Families Need to Know
Every day my morning starts with a news update followed by targeted financial headlines and then financial planning updates. Information is moving so fast, it’s hard to keep up. Most recently, the government has passed multiple legislative acts to help American workers and small businesses during this unprecedented time. With that in mind, here is an overview of the relief … 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
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
How Life Insurance is Like Eating Your Daily Dose of Vegetables
My kids love vegetables! I might have the only boys who will eat asparagus and brussels sprouts. They know that vegetables are good for building healthy bodies. Even if they think they won’t like a vegetable, they give it a try. Most of us don’t like vegetables this much, even though we know they are good for us. The same … Read More
Have You Covered Your Ass(ets)?
What is your biggest asset? When I ask this question to prospective clients, most respond that it is their house. Others say it’s their retirement savings account. I contend that your biggest asset is your ability to earn money over your lifetime. Without that, all of your other assets disappear. You probably have insurance on your home and car, and … Read More
When a 50-cent Part Breaks: Protecting Against Life’s Uncertainties
Last October, my oldest nephew got married in a beautiful ceremony at a mountaintop chapel about two hours away from our home. Since we were already going to be away for the day of the wedding, we decided to make a mini-vacation out of it and spent three days with family and close friends. It was a really great time, … Read More
Long-Term Care vs. Critical Illness Insurance: What You Need to Know
Many of you know that my Dad was on Hospice care for six years before he died. He had COPD and all his mental faculties were intact, so he was able to live at home where he was comfortable — which was of the utmost importance to those of us close to him. Even with the Hospice care, we supplemented … Read More
It Could Be Worse…
Have you ever had a day when, from the moment you wake up to the time you lay down for bed, everything just seems to be off? Kinda like the planet is conspiring against you in hopes that you’ll have the worst day possible? Of course, we’ve all been there! To make matters worse, when you try to convey your feelings about … Read More