Why Is It So Hard To Save??
savingNo matter how much we need to save, no matter how badly we want to break out of the paycheck to paycheck life, saving money is hard. It’s hard because we get an immediate reward for spending money. I give you $5 you give me a Mocha Latte. Saving on the other hand forces us […]
Where the Risk Lies
It is important to understand all the risk you face as an investor. Risk comes in many forms and some risks are higher than others at different stages of market cycles. Understanding the risks that could hurt you the most and how you can offset or reduce that risk is important to your long term […]
Are All Index Funds the Same?
Where do you draw the line for ethical behavior and corporate greed? This weekend I saw an online article about expense ratios and index funds that claimed there were funds that do nothing more than track the S&P 500 Index, yet charge investors fees greater than 1% to do so. I have a license for […]
When Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
Carrying mortgage debt can be a contentious subject among financial planners. Some look at the leverage as an opportunity to build net worth. Others see mortgage debt as merely a necessary evil. Often clients believe the mortgage interest deduction is valuable, but with the new income tax rules effective January 1, the deduction is limited […]
The 6th Financial Commandment for Millennials: When it’s (Not) Smart to Max Out Your Retirement Plan
Whether you’re enrolled in an employer retirement plan like a 401k, are self-employed and can utilize a SEP or Solo 401k, or are forced to brave it alone and contribute to a personal IRA – and you’ve completed the previous Financial Commandments for Millennials it’s time to start making the maximum contributions to these plans. First things […]
When Is the Right Time to Retire?
Get Your Financials in Order, Gain Financial Freedom, and Get the Most Out of Retirement Budgeting for retirement is based on a projected retirement date. But when most people start their retirement income planning, they may not be sure exactly when they will want to step away from their job—and as they age, their planning for […]
What’s in the COVID Relief Package for You?
This is being written as the bill is still in progress. Edits may be required as more information becomes available. Please check back for updates and be sure to consult a financial professional before implementing any of the strategies suggested in this post. The Senate has passed an emergency relief bill that is expected to […]
What You Can Change
The old prayer goes…”God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” You cannot change the markets; they have a life of their own. But you can change the way you see them and the way […]
What Will You Do With Your $2,000,000
In 2013 the Census Bureau reported that the median household income in the United States was $51,939. Assuming you start working at age 25 and retire at 65, that means your lifetime household earnings would be $2,077,560. So the big question is what will you do with your $2,000,000?
What the Heck is up with Greece and Why Should I Care?
What’s up with Greece? It’s in the news a lot these days and keeps getting blamed for every dip in the Dow or drop in the Euro. Why is Greece such a big deal? The easy answer is Greece really isn’t that important. It has a population of just over 11 million which is a […]
