My wife and I got serious about budgeting the year we got married. We used the “envelope system”, made popular by Dave Ramsey, to set aside cash for key expenses every month and give every dollar a mission. We stayed on track, for the most part, with two exceptions: holidays and birthdays. Read more…
Growing Up Gen X: How Our Past Affects Our Planning
Amidst all the attention given to baby boomers and millennials, who vastly outnumber us, it is easy to forget about my generation, Gen X. This group is generally considered to be those of us born between 1965 and 1980: a time of uncertainty in everything from politics to economics; a time when Read more…
In the Race to Zero Fees, Transparency Loses
The financial services industry is no stranger to competition, and you’ve likely heard of its latest game: the race to zero fees. On the surface, providing services at no cost sounds like another leap forward in disrupting outdated business models, but it’s not that simple. All too often, no cost Read more…
Market Correction Update
Stock markets have been choppy lately, with the S&P 500 off more than 10% from its highs. A decline of this nature is broadly labeled as a “correction.” While it’s never fun to see your portfolio take a hit, losses are a normal part of investing. During bull markets since 1945, the S&P 500 has Read more…
September 25, 2018
Financial Confidence Boost: Your Financial Plan
A financial plan is more than just a budget or insurance policy. It is the actions you need to take to reach your financial goals (think: helping fund your daughter’s college tuition or buying that second home on the lake). Your financial plan is unique, but to ensure confidence in the planning you Read more…
Savings Rate or Rate of Return? How to Focus Your Attention for Long-Term Financial Success
As a young professional, one of the best pieces of advice I received was to save and invest 15% of my salary for my future. Read more…
Life in Transition: Part 1- How to Plan for Marriage
We all have points in our lives where it seems like we’re on the verge of a new chapter. For some, it might be a career change. For others, a new baby. Whatever transitions you’re personally facing, know this: Read more…
Student Loan Repayment, Simplified
Graduating from college is a fun and exciting time of life. For most students, this time also brings the realization of a new reality: student loans. By taking proactive steps, you can reduce your stress and make better budgeting decisions. Read more…
Collecting Social Security on a Former Spouse: What You Need to Know
Social Security is complicated enough as it is—let alone when you’re trying to navigate it in the light of a divorce or loss of a partner. Read more…
Credit Scores and Credit Reports: What They Are and Why You Should Care
We look to measure success in different ways throughout our lives: report card in school, GPA in college, performance reports in our careers. In order to do well at something, we have to know how we’re being measured. Read more…
