Any time you have something big, you have to take care of it. We’ve been having maintenance work done on our home to repair windows and woodwork. My car is due for an oil change and tire rotation. These expenses always make me say “Oh Crap!” but it’s just part of ownership. Important items need regular maintenance, however, you never … 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
3 Smart Ideas for Your Tax Refund
In 2019, the average tax return was a little over $3,000 — which, no matter your income level — is nothing to sneeze at. I mean, an extra $3,000 added to your budget could cover a lot of shoes, that Peloton bike you’ve been eyeing, or even a weekend getaway that your family so desperately needs. But before you go … 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
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
The Tools in Your Swiss Army Knife Retirement Plan
As Boy Scouts, my kids love their Swiss Army knives. They use them for everything and always take them camping. These all-purpose tools have a knife, file, screwdriver, scissors, tweezers, bottle opener, and more. As you are planning for retirement, you may find you have a Swiss Army knife full of accounts, each with different functions. They all hold a … Read More
Do You Need a Financial Timeout?
At one time or another we’ve all been guilty of buying things that we didn’t really need. Sometimes it’s the newest smartphone on the market; at other times, it’s eating out when a home-cooked meal would have done the trick. No matter the reason, haphazard spending is the direct result of not having a plan in place when it comes … Read More
The Power and Beauty of a Maintenance Fund
Have you ever started a workout regimen after a few weeks, months, or even years (no judgement here…) of little-to-no physical activity? How did you feel? Tired, sore, and ready to give up, right? I know, because I’ve been there more times than I care to count! Funny thing, though. After a few weeks of getting back into a routine, I … Read More