Steps to take if you are the victim of identity theft.

Get your portfolio back in line with the percentages you originally wanted based on your risk ...

When you buy a bundled package, are you really saving money or do you end up with things you ...

Three things to consider when you find extra cash in our budget.

Alternatives for choosing a reverse mortgage and reasons why it may not be the best route.

Know where you stand financially so that if your spouse passes away you are not left in the ...

Have you prepared your estate planning documents? Here are important steps to take now so ...

If you are thinking about using a financial advisor, here are some triggers that one may be in ...

Make sure you understand everything about your HSA.

You can save a considerable amount of money if you just reevaluate your phone service.

Cooking at home and cooking in bulk can help you save money.

How to borrow money from credit cards with very low interest or NO interest at all.

If I were to ask you how much energy you consumed today, chances are you haven’t thought a ...

If you are unsure which IRA account fits you best, here are three things to consider to help ...

With pension plans disappearing, prices for food, energy, and health care on the rise, and ...

Find out how much money to put aside for an emergency fund and for retirement, based on your ...

What exactly are bonds and how do they fit into your portfolio?

There are many factors to consider in deciding between a lump sum and an annuity pension ...

initial steps to prepare to start a business

it’s not about which investment firm is the best

Last week, I wrote about which investment firm is the best. As a part of that blog, there were ...

how to make sure your homeowner’s policy adequately covers tornadoes

ways to make the best use of your tax refund

how to use multiple accounts and automatic transfers to simplify your finances

low cost ways to protect yourself from identity theft

how to maximize rewards points on credit cards

There are lots of things to consider when becoming a landlord.

There are ways to avoid foreclosure if you can’t afford your mortgage payments.

There are some important things to understand before choosing a health insurance plan.

Bankruptcy can make sense under certain circumstances.

You never know what you can get until you ask.

You may be paying your car dealer for unnecessary work.

There are pros and cons of different ways to get cash in an emergency.

Putting your savings on autopilot can make behavioral inertia work in your favor.

You may want to take steps to protect your retirement from rising inflation.

here are several ways to protect your portfolio from rising inflation.

These steps can help you get a mortgage even with today’s tighter lending standards.

Use technology to teach your kids about money.

Total compensation about a lot more than just the salary.

While I don’t sell life insurance, I get a lot of questions about how much insurance someone ...

You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of putting money into emergency savings, ...

Several weeks ago, my brother was working on some routine plumbing around the house when he ...

Updated 2020 You’ve inherited an individual retirement account (IRA) – now what? Should you ...

Here a few of the reasons you might consider staying away from a Roth IRA.

There are also lots of reasons a Roth IRA can make sense.

You can contribute to a Roth IRA one way or the other as long as you have some type of earned ...

We hope it never happens, but as my boss likes to say, we should plan for the worst and hope ...

Here are a few ways that people I’ve met with have gotten rid of their mortgages.

We probably all know someone who has had challenges with the IRS, and hopefully we never fall ...

So what is an annuity, and how does it help my dad sleep at night without worrying about his ...

Now, I’m no negotiating expert, but here are a few tips you can use (inspired by Ed Brodow) to ...

Here are some situations in which an annuity might actually make sense for you depending on ...

Credit card debt can be a dangerous thing but as long as you pay off the balance in full each ...

An emergency fund isn’t exactly the most exciting aspect of financial planning but using these ...

I used to think those monthly car payments were just a way of life but now enjoy having a ...

If you are investing in anything, be sure you understand how the investment works at least on ...

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some type of scoreboard in our financial lives to help us ...

Here are some of the challenges would-be real estate investors will face:

Here are some things I looked for in purchasing my first rental property.

If you’re planning on taking advantage of the housing recovery by listing your home for sale ...

You have to find your personal “Goldilocks” number: not too much, not too little, but just ...

Tax debt resolution requires a little bit of patience, discipline and planning.

Owning rental property and investing in REITs are just a couple of ways investors can use real ...

Transitioning from working years to a stage of financial freedom requires more than a ...

While it may not be the first place to go to put Junior through school, the IRS provides ...

One of the things that probably most surprises people about me as a financial planner is that ...

When it comes to retirement planning, you may have heard a lot about the benefits of ...

The argument for using this type of approach rather than a human advisor goes something like ...

So when does it make sense?

Having a good credit score doesn’t have to be difficult.

Since I am often asked about recommended personal finance books, I figured why not summarize ...

Depending on which school of thought you subscribe to, here are some investment strategies to ...

You don’t have to help a loved one alone.

One misconception out there is that if you have benefits withheld because of too much earned ...

What people say they’ll do and what they actually do aren’t always the same so look at what ...

Here are some things you want to make sure you factor in before making your own decision:

It can be a good option for short-term savings or for long-term tax-free growth.

While it obviously doesn’t make sense to buy things just to earn rewards (especially if you ...

Here is the process that I walk through with a person to help them evaluate their options when ...

Here are some critical questions that should be asked when purchasing insurance.

Here are some tips to make your tax preparation a lot less stressful!

Here are several important devices you may want to include in your estate plan regardless of ...

One of the biggest risks I’ve seen lurking in people’s investments is having too much in a ...

In many cases, your employer benefits can supply your financial planning needs for free or a ...

If you don’t have an HSA or if you’ve maxed it out, the best way to use an FSA is for the ...

My girls now realize that they must read and understand a document before they sign it.

I appreciate convenience as much as the next person, but I’m not convinced that giving up cash ...

The best way to deal with the fear factor associated with managing personal finances is to ...

Here are several reasons why this is a classic case of letting the tax tail wag the dog:

There’s a growing trend to higher deductibles for health insurance policies, which means we’re ...

Here are a few tips for making the honeymoon happen without the lingering finance charges.

If for no other reason, a refresher on the basics of auto insurance can help save you money ...

You don’t need to become an expert in the stock market to be a good investor.

Here are some lessons that I’ve learned as the boxes get unpacked:

This often-underutilized type of insurance covers you in case of a lawsuit that exceeds the ...

You worked so hard to build your net worth so take the time to talk to your kids about money.

If you are divorced and were married for 10 years or longer, did you know you may be eligible ...

Fortunately, we recently hired Cynthia Meyer as a part of our team and she sent me this blog ...

Contact your benefits department to see if your employer offers an EAP.

Just comparing the difference in cash flow doesn’t reflect all the costs between owning and ...

Before you make investment decisions to keep your money “safe” and avoid risk, it’s important ...

Here are three of the main things:

Any changes you experience in your home should be discussed with your insurance company.

With a little bit of work, you can clean up your credit report and save your money.

The 3 problems that I’ve seen with pensions are the “golden handcuffs,” the “what just ...

With the rising cost of college, more students and their parents are rightfully looking at ...

Millennials may have the lowest credit scores but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all their ...

Let’s take a look at some things to consider:

As I think of the “Just Say No” campaign, I feel that it needs to be revitalized not for drugs ...

There is a right way to use a credit card to earn rewards for spending without getting into ...

Here are a few of the tips I gleaned to make it less likely that you’ll be a victim:

My personal mission is to help everyone find that perfect financial place where they feel like ...

Each EAP program is different so check with your employer but below are some of the benefits ...

Monitor your credit scores and activity, always be close to receiving a new credit report and ...

If you’re currently paying a gym membership or using a weight loss program, definitely check ...

Your advisor is one of your best resources to effectively navigate through life changes.

If you are working towards a big financial goal, such as paying down debt or saving to buy a ...

How much should I be saving for retirement and how much do I need total?

When I do individual consultations with people, I often find that they have trouble managing ...

We all work hard, and in the course of doing that work, you should be able to recover some of ...

Developing a strategy can help save thousands of dollars and get your kids off to a great ...

What it really boils down to is what you need the insurance to pay for should you be hit by ...

As I take over Financial Wellness@Work on Mondays (following in the very big shoes of Dr. ...

Later, I realized that rolling money out of a 401(k) is not always the best choice.

Don’t let the intrusive and extensive mortgage application process ruin an otherwise happy and ...

For most people, managing your money wisely can be accomplished in about two hours per week.

These are only a few of the things to consider when going through life changes.

If you’re less than happy with your relationship with money, it’s worth also examining whether ...

If you’re looking for the most time-efficient way to get your finances in order, here are some ...

So what can students and parents do to maximize their eligibility for aid, as opposed to just ...

Take some time over the next couple days to focus on where you’ve been and how far you’ve come ...

I hereby resolve that in 2016 I will Deal with Paper Daily.

It’s not the daily latte or ordering take-out or a splurge at Target that kills most of our ...

No matter where you are, forming a Financial Independence Day group is an opportunity to take ...

The cost of a pet, particularly a dog or cat, extends well beyond the adoption fee, which is ...

When is multi-level marketing a legitimate business model, and when does it cross over into ...

As with any financial strategy that may sound a little too good to be true, the backdoor Roth ...

You don’t need to have passed ten actuarial exams and been born financially sensible to manage ...

Here are three ways to rebalance your investment mix to get back on track:

Whether or not you are actually able to retire in that distant-feeling future can be a direct ...

You never know when you might need a contingency plan, and waiting until you need it might ...

Thinking through your baby’s needs vs. wants can go a long way in driving down costs.

Before you resign yourself to working until you’re 70 or paying on your student loans until ...

Fortunately, many 401(k) plans have made it easy to avoid these mistakes by including ...

You can have a family vacation that won’t follow you in credit card charges for the next 6 ...

In order to get on track and really start to feel like you’re making the better income level ...

In my capacity as a financial coach for Financial Finesse, I recently met with a woman that I ...

So what is the new DOL rule likely to mean for retirement savers?

So to celebrate National Financial Capability Month, I’ve curated a short playlist of money ...

My budget was a bit busted and I am going to have to cut back in some other areas (dining out, ...

Try not to make these mistakes with your money:

When it comes to pizza, there are four main options for how to get a delicious pie onto your ...

Here are some ways to teach your kids (or nieces and nephews) about money before they have to ...

In other words, parents of the Class of 2023 or later: there’s still time to protect some of ...

Regardless of whether you believe children should work for their allowance or whether it ...

A digital estate plan is essential to a well-constructed overall basic estate plan, which also ...

If your medical expenses are crippling your finances, consider doing the following:

Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.

If you’re looking to save more money by cutting back on spending, it’s important to be aware ...

If driverless cars can replace your Uber driver, should a computer replace your financial ...

Here are some basic documents and why I had a professional prepare them for me.

Consider stocking up on one of these perspective-changing, personal finance page-turners for ...

Even if you’re not sure what your “Moving to Maui” event will be, being financially prepared ...

Here is a simple estate planning “to do” list to get you started:

Consider following these three simple principles:

Taking these few steps will make your first few months with your bundle of joy less ...

If you’re considering a 401(k) loan, be aware of all the possible downsides.

Take the time to work with your kids on a financial plan for college to not only save your ...

Recently several of my fellow planners and I who are stepparents were talking about financial ...

Here are the 401(k) loan downsides from the original post, the reader’s critiques, and my ...

As you go through your life and engage in potential transactions either as a consumer or a ...

While you can’t give yourself a thorough doctor’s exam, you can give yourself a comprehensive ...

I’ve always been able to keep my cost of owning these rolling works of art and fine ...

If you are thinking of buying a home or just want to plan better for the costs of keeping up ...

Taking a few moments to really evaluate job opportunities can go a long way to helping you ...

Danielle shared with me that she and Adam had a 3 year plan that included purchasing their ...

Let’s look at the options:

Here are some of the positions you should have on your high-performing financial team:

As more and more school districts charge families for participation in after school athletic ...

We have been using vacation rentals for a few years, and as I talk to friends about our ...

If I could turn back time, here’s what I’d have done differently:

For recent college graduates or anyone looking to get their financial life started on the ...

You should choose your health insurance based on your anticipated need for services.

As you start to think about buying a car, explore all of your choices to help you find the ...

As summer winds to a close every year, I dig deep into my money-saving strategies to help keep ...

So here are the financial moves I made in my earlier years that I would be glad to repeat.

This is a lot of info, but it’s an especially useful list for recent grads just getting ...

Taking these steps before making a financial decision can go a long way to building a lifetime ...

Whether you’re just starting to build a credit history or are rebuilding one, here are some ...

If you’ve got kids, you cannot afford to wait while society tries to figure this out in terms ...

Here are five situations where our best intentions often backfire.

The basic decision is whether you’d rather pay taxes on your savings now (Roth) or when you ...

For most people, it may make more sense to roll their retirement plan balance to their new ...

Take the time, like Jana did, to take the extra steps to make sure you are choosing the right ...

Are you overlooking the real value of your benefits when you think about your compensation?

Here’s how to avoid this mistake and ensure your loved ones are protected:

I was recently talking to a dear friend in her 50s whose husband recently announced that he ...

Saving is the foundation of financial goals like being prepared for emergencies, paying off ...

How do you know whether you have enough life insurance? Rather than talk with a high-pressure ...

With all the volatility in the stock market and potential changes in tax law on the horizon, ...

Do you know how much you’re paying for your 401(k)? If you’re like 71% of people in a recent ...

A friend recently loaned me a book called, “How Champions Think” by Dr. Bob Rotella, and I’ve ...

Updated for 2021 Let’s assume you’ve done everything right when it comes to planning for ...

Spend the next 30, 60 or 90 days re-configuring your entertainment habits.

Nobody likes paying taxes. But what can be a mere annoyance while you’re working can be a ...

Many estate planning lawyers act as if everyone should have a trust yet most Americans don’t ...

Note that due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, miscellaneous deductions including ...

Money and marriage is an age old problem. I’ve seen many societal and economic changes over my ...

When you compare the time versus value, which one makes more sense?

When it comes to planning for retirement, we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about how to ...

How to make your savings last even during times of low interest rates or market growth.

Here are 5 ideas to make sure that healthcare remains affordable after retirement.

We recently received a question from a woman who was having trouble filling out an application ...

It makes sense that performance at work would suffer when an employee is under enormous ...

Roughly three out of every five bankruptcies are filed due to medical bills. A big part of ...

Ultimately, we had good experiences with both, so if you are in the market for a new car, ...

Here are some ways you might be able to get long term care insurance for less:

In today’s economic climate, it is even more vital for students to apply for scholarships. If ...

Whether you’re selecting a plan at work, or purchasing one on your own, wading through health ...

With housing prices and mortgage rates still near historic lows, now could be a great time to ...

Updated for 2021 I was recently talking to a relative that had heard all of the statistics ...

For Baby Boomers in their peak earning years, it’s the best of times and the worst of times. ...

You may be wondering what you can do to reduce your tax burden. Two of the most common methods ...

When looking for ways to save money, make sure that you aren’t doing yourself a disservice.

By paying attention to the early discomfort of financial stress and following the C.A.L.M. ...

Taking a few hours to talk about your finances with your future spouse can go a long way to ...

Take advantage of all the breaks you can get!

What’s your plan to pay for medical expenses for the next 20, 30, 40 years or more?

Have you had a break in your career and are ready to return to the workforce, or perhaps you ...

If you are having trouble sticking to a budget, consider doing the following:

If you itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return and incurred significant expenses ...

Don’t rely on hearsay–or outdated information–when making big decisions on retirement, ...

The best predictor of how financially successful your children will be in life may not be an ...

Here are some quick thoughts regarding open enrollment that you may want to consider as you ...

Here are some thoughts on the value of hiring a professional:

If you find that your auto insurance is higher than you would like, consider pairing down by ...

In the end, you will thank yourself for doing the upfront work now to get a reliable vehicle ...

Take a few minutes over the next several days and figure out what your current asset ...

All your working life you’ve been saving and investing some of your income for retirement. Now ...

I am sure that it comes as no surprise that Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the most ...

When retirement is no longer something that has a long term time horizon and is suddenly ...

As parents, we naturally want our children to grow up and become successful, productive ...

As these women found themselves job hunting after being out of the job market for decades, I ...

Here are some preparations for life’s financial curve balls:

These rules work when your candidate loses an election, when you lose a loved one, if you get ...

As you start to think of what to get people for Christmas, do not undervalue the gifts that ...

Dr. Emmons has found that gratitude brings several benefits: increased happiness, stronger ...

If you are buying a home for the first time, you’ll be in for a surprise

The following steps can help your child manage their money better – and create less of a ...

If you’re unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to have an estate large enough to be subject to ...

To answer the question of “How much employer stock is too much” requires a fairly thorough ...

If you have an unexpected dental expense that you aren’t financially prepared for, how can you ...

As we celebrate this holiday season, take the time to observe your parents as well as any ...

Here’s how I dug myself out of $8,000 worth of credit card debt after college:

Let’s take a look at the criticisms:

We are living in a world where pensions are being frozen or eliminated, Social Security is ...

If you’re like many Americans who are feeling squeezed for cash to apply to your big goals, ...

The more extreme you cut back, the quicker you will get to your goals, but you can still reach ...

This refinance calculator will tell you exactly how many months it would take you to recoup ...

While this strategy is certainly not for everyone, here’s why I decided it makes sense for me:

Given all the variables and uncertainty regarding how much someone needs saved/invested in ...

Even if you can afford it, there are reasons to reflect and plan how you will handle the ...

With the babysitters called “TVs” and “iPads” quickly exhausted, the following are cost ...

In no particular order, this is all I want for Christmas — or ever:

As always, the best choice depends on your particular situation.

Consider taking some time to research not only the adoption legal process but also the ...

Ask yourself four questions to get started:

Her questions (and my answers) that we covered when she accepted her job included:

According to the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, you will need to gather these ...

Whether you’re deciding whether to incur an income tax deduction now or wait until next year ...

Starting off with the small changes can give you the quick wins to keep you motivated to reach ...

Whether you’re de-cluttering in an effort to live more simply, preparing for a big move or ...

Buying or selling a home can be stressful so you’ll want an agent that can help alleviate ...

Here are the things I measure and where I find the information:

While there are no hard and fast rules for all documents, following are some commonly ...

After 15 years together, our marriage has taught me more than a few important lessons about ...

If you are shopping for a mortgage, you have probably seen all sorts of offers and ...

Earnest money is simply a deposit to confirm a contract. In a real estate transaction, a ...

An escrow account, in the case of a mortgage, functions as a middleman between a homeowner, ...

First, contact your mortgage lender ASAP Even if you are current, contact your lender to let ...

For our Gender Gap in Financial Wellness research report we found a narrowing of the gap ...

How do you know whether you have enough life insurance? Rather than talk with a high-pressure ...

To help relieve the stress during an already difficult time, here is a checklist of items to ...

There are so many choices for loans when you are applying for a mortgage. Which one is right ...

Here are some of the top nuggets of wisdom from my grumpy old man character:

If you are preparing now for parenthood, allow me to share some things I learned from ...

Here’s how you could possibly use this piece of the tax code creatively and to your advantage ...

Moving to a new city can be very stressful, especially if it involves changing jobs or ...

As you can see, drawing up a personal care agreement can quickly get complicated.

Here are the aspects of your life that a cohabitation agreement could cover:

Retirement plan loans have a place, but be aware of the downsides.

The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication with your lender open.

I had my first biological child when I was 41. At the time, I had a busy career as a financial ...

Updated for the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act Paper or plastic? Credit or debit? Common ...

We frequently work with employees who tell me they’re leaving their current position soon. ...

Financial planning is all about trade-offs.

Keep in mind that the escrow is not in place to protect the lender only.

Whether you’re de-cluttering in an effort to live more simply, prepare for a big move or just ...

Account   Tax Rate  Penalties Pension Ordinary income tax on withdrawals or monthly annuity ...

   If you file a federal tax return as an individual, and your combined income* is: between ...

There are important differences between them and knowing the difference can help students make ...

Editor’s note: Please note that the moving expense deduction was eliminated with the passing ...

Moving for work? Who else does it impact? Moving to a new city can be very stressful, ...

One of the most difficult experiences to live through is the death of your spouse. In addition ...

If you think of investing as getting you from point A to point B, asset allocation funds are ...

As your income goes up, pretend that it doesn’t!

Does having a frank conversation with your future self sound like just the thing you need to ...

As you celebrate Valentine’s Day, consider using the day to go over ideas on how to help you ...

If you’ve determined that you indeed do have a home office for tax purposes, then it’s ...

If you’re shopping around for a new home for your HSA, here are some things to consider:

Here are some strategies for making wise decisions in the face of increasing uncertainty about ...

Insurance exists because accidents happen. And some accidents can cripple you financially if ...

Jim and Cindy Walcott were delighted to learn that Cindy was pregnant with their first child, ...

Here are my pros and cons for the Uber alternatives I’ve experienced:

If you’re in debt and looking to get out, think about the things that you REALLY need and the ...

Spouses who lose a partner are faced with a myriad of financial decisions at a time when they ...

Here’s a breakdown of what’s typical:

Just make sure you understand all the ramifications before making any decisions and consult ...

Check out some spring training baseball or..get one of your debts to $0.

Review the award packages and what they mean for your family carefully.

If it’s been several years since you’ve shopped your homeowners insurance policy around, it ...

Here will be some of the individual winners and losers if the bill’s provisions become law:

If you’re walking around with a secret in your financial life that makes you feel like you ...

If you are a worker’s widow or widower, you — and your minor children if you have them — may ...

Here are some tips to show your spouse he/she has a voice in your finances:

Before we get into the investing side next week, let’s take a look at the first set of ...

When leaving a job, one of the decisions you may need to make is what to do with your 401(k), ...

So what can you do now to save your kids $70,000?

You shouldn’t go out and buy a second home, boat or RV you can’t afford just for the tax ...

As with her money management advice, you could do a lot worse than funding a retirement ...

We have goals and we have to find a way to make them happen.

Here are some questions to help you to find the best choice for your situation:

When a spender marries a saver, the saver will always want to spend less, but there are ...

Managing your personal finances is way easier than mastering chess or the violin so it won’t ...

Take this quick quiz to test your benefits knowledge.

If you are about to have a baby or recently had a baby, consider researching the following ...

While you can’t put a price on things like “dress for your day” or bring your dog to work ...

In particular, here are some features that you may not be taking full advantage of if you’re ...

Find out which health plans and options your employer offers and then study them to determine ...

I asked Jim some questions about his money story, money and family life, and what it means to ...

Below are some of the lessons I learned:

Where else are you most rewarded for being both cheap and lazy?

There are a few “rules” that I use when coaching a person through a failure to help them not ...

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you’ve read and understand all the provisions in ...

In a development that has young people (and their parents) celebrating a little bit, New York ...

Are you looking for a stable value investment with easy access to your cash when you need it ...

You can start with a simple option like a target date or target risk fund for now and adjust ...

The key to long term wealth building (and that’s why we all invest) is to pick a strategy and ...

Which sounds better to you – paying over $1,000 a year to store your excess stuff or having an ...

The key is to prepare in advance.

How you’ll go about defining your goal depends a lot on how close you are to actually thinking ...

Picking individual stocks and outperforming the market is HARD!

If making an impact with your consumer purchases is important to you, there’s no place like ...

Summer reading/academic programs are one of the easiest ways to distract your kids in the ...

Now that you’ve set your goal, you need to figure out where you are going to save all that ...

Like all financial decisions, it all depends on your individual situation and goals.

This is the process that a unit of the UK government used to improve their processes and save ...

Here are some ways you can prepare if the current law on pre-existing conditions and health ...

I was recently talking to a friend of mine whose son is about to graduate from high school and ...

When it comes to choosing how to invest the money you deposit into your 401(k) and/or your ...

Over the past few months, it feels like a cloud of transportation demons have settled over my ...

This is the fourth and final step in my retirement planning step series. Now that you’ve set ...

Ah, summer.  I often find myself yearning for the summers of my youth, when it was all about ...

I recently celebrated my 38th birthday, which I guess officially puts me in my late 30’s. As I ...

If you know me, you know that it’s no secret I have a strong dislike for breaking down ...

Here are all the factors to consider before you buy a bigger home.

If I could wave a magic wand and impart knowledge to anyone who thinks they have to be an ...

Do you know a new or upcoming grad? Last week, I wrote about why saving is such an important ...

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal asked a question that has led to one of my ...

Last week I wrote about why my husband and I decided to upsize our home, so this week I’d like ...

When the real estate market is hot like it is right now, I can’t help but compare it to ...

A recent article in the New York Times pointed out that according to GasBuddy, gas prices are ...

In my last two posts, I wrote about why saving is such an important part of “adulting” and ...

Before I joined Financial Finesse as a member of the Planner Team, I worked for a large wealth ...

Have you ever contemplated how the people you hang out with or follow on social media actually ...

How the financial coaches at Financial Finesse are changing lives and loving it.

After trying for nearly two years to conceive, my husband and I recently learned that our best ...

I recently saw this article titled, “A financial expert says deciding whether to save or pay ...

Over the last few months I have talked to a lot of people who are concerned that their ...

Happy 4th of July! To honor the theme of independence, I’d like to share an oldie but goodie, ...

After sharing our decision to pursue in vitro fertilization and how we’ll pay for it on the ...

That’s how the advice was characterized in the title of an article I read recently and it ...

Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to watch my oldest child graduate from ...

Summer is a fun time. I love the warmer months and having a schedule that does not revolve ...

If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of an out-of-network medical bill, then you ...

It’s common knowledge that in the long run, stocks outperform treasury bills, which are short ...

One of our financial planners, Steve White, is a semi-reluctant blogger. I appreciate his ...

Many evenings when the rest my household is in bed, you can find me watching HGTV’s ...

It’s that time of year again, when the Social Security trustees release their annual report, ...

When I first heard about Financial Finesse’s workplace financial wellness programs, which are ...

I recently had a chat with a friend who said he had a “simple question” about wills: His ...

Have you ever found yourself opting to pay using your credit card just because you’d get the ...

I love silly articles that I see on social media sites, and my kids and I love to look at ...

How do you evaluate the tsunami of information you find when you’re trying to pick the best ...

When preparing to start a family, most couples are aware of the added costs they’re getting in ...

Have you been seeing a lot of news articles lately about how the US stock market is overpriced ...

According to a report by EBRI, 20% of 401(k) plan participants have an outstanding loan ...

I recently spoke with, Dylan [not his real name], a 25-year old employee, when he called our ...

The first day of school — ready or not, here it comes. For kids, it’s a mixture of excitement ...

Just like people, spending plans (a better way to say budgets) come in all shapes, formats, ...

When you’re in the market for a new car, how do you figure out which one is going to be the ...

Thinking about what would happen if you or your spouse were to pass away is tough — no one ...

There are lots of reasons to take on a side gig, not all of them financial. Perhaps you’re ...

I recently had someone ask me about what the effect could be on their investment portfolio and ...

Are you a fan of Shark Tank? It’s must-watch TV in my household — we love the creativity of ...

I am a great aunt!!! My nephew and his wife recently welcomed my beautiful great-niece into ...

It’s always good to hear about different ways of saving money so I was intrigued by this ...

If you’re a parent, you probably know that sometimes you can be around your kids and wonder ...

When someone asks you about your retirement plans, is your first thought to check your account ...

As August winds down, we are entering what I call the “Superbowl” of budgeting season. This is ...

Do you like paying “hefty tax bills?” According to this article titled, “If you like paying ...

How one financial coach decides when to splurge and when to save money.

One thing I love about working at Financial Finesse is that I have the opportunity to provide ...

You have have your toast and buy a home too with proper planning.

Did you know that any insurance claims you have filed in the past 7 years for collision or ...

With a lot of personal finance, it makes sense to keep things simple or otherwise choose the ...

For anyone displaced due to a natural disaster, it is tempting to rush back home as soon as ...

A few years back I wrote about my daughters’ experience with having college roommates and the ...

I was recently talking with a friend who was struggling to save for emergencies, so I took a ...

I saw a headline recently about how to get your credit score above 800 that really had me ...

Make sure your generosity is actually helpful when disaster strikes.

When it comes to financial planning, any planner worth their salt will tell you that having ...

It’s that time of year – Major League Baseball playoffs are scheduled to start later this week ...

“I don’t understand. How can I be financially struggling if I did everything I was told to do ...

If you have high school-aged kids planning on college, hopefully you know by now that the ...

If you could get investment advice from anyone, who would it be? Well, you could do a lot ...

For the past decade plus, I have been helping people with their finances. It’s what I love to ...

If you are shopping for a mortgage, you have probably seen all sorts of offers and ...

In traditional financial planning circles, lending money to family is considered taboo. ...

Editor’s note: If you’d rather listen to this post, our friends at Optimal Living Daily read ...

October is Financial Planning Month! It may sound nerdy, but obviously I’m celebrating — every ...

My family and friends know that I am committed to checking experiences off of my Bucket List. ...

Along with a respite from work and the joys of celebration, the holidays can bring stress…and ...

Have you ever cheated or lied to your spouse or significant other regarding a financial ...

Ideally, never…or at least rarely. Plundering our retirement piggy banks can be tempting when ...

With most people in or near their open enrollment period this time of year, it’s a great time ...

Scene: Pet store, just before Halloween. You walk in and the first thing you see is that all ...

When hip hop artist Jay-Z released his most critically acclaimed album 4:44, it was praised ...

I have a confession: I am having a legitimate mid-life crisis. See, I recently turned 50 and ...

It’s been a sad week in my neighborhood. One of our neighbors just down the street, a father ...

“Mommy, was there electricity when you were born?”  This was the very serious question asked ...

Whether you’re a holiday purist who loathes the fact that Christmas displays start popping up ...

You’ve probably seen the headlines about the latest tax proposal working its way through ...

You’re likely to see lots of headlines in the coming weeks about the tax reform package that ...

As the holiday season gets into full swing, it’s not just time to think about what gifts to ...

I woke up this morning realizing it was time to put snow tires back on my car. This does not ...

I crave ice cream before bedtime. I know the high, empty calories are not good for me, but ...

When my husband and I first made the decision that he would stop working and go back to school ...

“I could have bought a place in Dumbo before it was Dumbo for like 2 million. That same ...

My husband says I treat Christmas shopping like a military operation. And as a proud Army ...

It’s official. The Holiday shopping season has begun. If you are like me and my family, ...

Happy Thanksgiving! If you are like most traditional American families, you’re probably ...

In my 20 years or so as a financial planner, I’ve heard some pretty wacky theories about ...

Do you have a computer, smart phone or gaming system on your shopping list for this holiday ...

You may think I’ve gone crazy or made a HUGE typo by suggesting that giving your money away ...

There’s no shortage of headlines in the personal finance world telling us how poor Americans ...

There are certain guidelines that we financial planners tell people to help keep them out of ...

If you have an old 401(k) account from an old job (or maybe even 2 or 3), you’re not alone — ...

What would you rather have: more money or more time? In an article, “Being Part of Generation ...

As a recovering perfectionist, I feel slightly hypocritical even writing about this — perhaps ...

Do you know what the “perfect” investment would look like? According to a chart in this ...

With the holiday season upon us, many people struggle with whether to search for the perfect ...

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. I get to enjoy endless samplings ...

If you just picked up on the concept of hygge, you’re behind. The new design trend in homes ...

Do you have enough money to retire? How will you turn your retirement savings into income? ...

It’s the time of year for giving. In our home, as in many households, that giving includes ...

One of the most impactful personal finance books I’ve ever read is Brent Kessel’s It’s Not ...

Do you have anyone left on your list that you need last minute gifts for? Without knowing who ...

As someone who has a moderately aggressive investment approach, I recently had a conversation ...

Note from the editor: As we round out this year, many people will be setting goals and ...

Note from the editor: As we round out 2017, many people will be setting goals and intentions ...

Note from the editor: As we round out 2017, many people will be setting goals and intentions ...

Note from the editor: As we round out 2017, many people will be setting goals and intentions ...

Do you like to set New Year’s resolutions? If you are a gym rat like me, you see it all the ...

Last week, I wrote about setting goals. Let’s face it. That’s the easy part. What about ...

How do you know if you need a financial advisor or not? Learn when it might be a good idea to ...

Learn about the 3% return advantage – the three steps that could help you increase your ...

Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire? Get some steps to take to make it automatic from Liz ...

If your monthly payments feel overwhelming or your credit card interest rate is too high, you ...

Just like the seasons change (and pretty much everyone on the East coast is being reminded ...

Tax laws have just changed, and that is likely to affect you. Whether your see a net benefit ...

If you’re reading this, chances are you are you can relate to the way I spend many of my ...

I was hanging out with a friend last week when I noticed that she had an unusual amount of ...

Are you getting close to retirement but feel like you’re behind on your retirement savings? ...

We all have goals and dreams. But why do some people reach those goals and others don’t? 

If you’re deep in debt, you may feel like you’re all alone. In reality, there are millions of ...

Here are some things that you can do to prepare yourself and your property for when disaster ...

Confused about how to invest your 401k? The answers to these five questions will show you the ...

There is a method for purchasing shares that can help you ride out the ups and downs of the ...

Since the size of the down payment you make affects the interest rate, mortgage fees, and ...

Think you’re already doing all you can to save? Try some of these strategies, and you’ll be ...

Don’t wait until you get in a fender bender to learn that you don’t have the right amount of ...

Until two years ago, it didn’t occur to me to prepare my own tax return. It seemed complicated ...

Workers’ compensation, a form of no-fault insurance paid for by your employer, provides ...

Many withdrawals prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% tax penalty. These strategies will ...

Not being able to pay income taxes to the IRS is not a situation you want to be in. Here are ...

Your employer’s contribution to your financial well being doesn’t begin and end with your ...

A 401(k) is really just a special type of profit sharing plan, but it completely ...

Some expenses are pretty much unavoidable. That’s why many employers offer a benefit called a ...

How you hold title determines what legal and financial rights and responsibilities you have ...

Stock ownership plans come in a variety of forms. Here are some tips on choosing your stock ...

Not taking advantage of either of these employee benefits could be a mistake you might never ...

While it’s a tempting option, you should think twice before taking a loan from your retirement ...

If you have children, take part in chauffeuring their soccer team, and are known to feed them ...

Rent or buy: The question confounds people in every income bracket, age group and geographic ...

A stay of two years or more in a nursing home could be financially devastating for a lot of ...

It can be tempting to jump at the next phone call or mailer you get offering to save you big ...

If you take a little time today to learn what may be the best policy for you, it will make a ...

You surely don’t want to think about missing work because of a disability, but this coverage ...

The amount of Federal income tax you pay is based on your taxable income. If you decrease your ...

Mutual funds have all sorts of descriptive names. But the problem is, those labels aren’t very ...

It can be difficult to make a good “apples to apples” comparison when shopping for long-term ...

Some things are mandated as part of your policy, while others are optional. Learn more about ...

Preventing the loss of your home is worth fighting for and you can take steps to prevent it. ...

Government programs will provide some long-term care but the services are limited and certain ...

While being self-employed offers lots of benefits, it doesn’t offer the ones you would likely ...

Defaulting on a student loan can damage your credit, and in most cases declaring bankruptcy ...

A Roth IRA is a non-deductible retirement savings vehicle that is not an investment ...

With a traditional IRA, your money grows tax deferred, which means that you don’t have to pay ...

Divorce is tough to survive, both emotionally and financially. If you need help to cope on the ...

An appraisal will tell you what you want to know. Real estate appraisers take two main ...

The prospect of being audited haunts many taxpayers. If you are one of the unlucky ones, here ...

If you’re leaving your job soon but not starting a new one immediately, you may be wondering ...

Before you get excited about spending your investment earnings, realize that getting your ...

Think of a mutual fund prospectus as a road map. It should answer your questions about the ...

Bonds don’t offer the potential for growth that stocks do. What they do offer, though, is the ...

Most of us hope something like a financial hardship will not happen to us. But what if it ...

Health insurance isn’t always easy to understand, so take a few minutes now to learn more ...

What do you expect from your paid time off policies? Be sure to ask your employer these ...

A Money Purchase Pension Plan is a type of employer retirement plan designed to reward reward ...

It’s hard to pay attention to the fine print in your auto lease when you’re dying to get ...

Negotiating from a position of knowledge and confidence improves your chances of winning the ...

In general, it’s a good idea to have at least one credit card and to use it to establish a ...

There are almost as many ways to buy a car as there are automakers. What are your options and ...

If you’re looking for a place to stash your cash reserve, a money market fund might just fit ...

You know the pitch: “No credit, no problem! Have the merchandise you want delivered today–no ...

Ads for a rapidly rising phenomenon called payday loans pop up daily on our televisions and ...

You may not have to pay taxes on the first $250,000 of gain (for single filers) or $500,000 ...

“Pleeeeeze can I borrow $20? I promise I’ll pay you back.” Your teen is pleading for the loan, ...

Teaching your children to give is an important part of teaching kids to manage money wisely.

You’ve decided to sell your car and your goal is to get the most money with the fewest ...

Be aware that some organizations that claim to provide credit counseling really do nothing to ...

Paying for something you may never use might be a hard pill to swallow, but a good auto ...

Whether you get financing through one of the traditional sources (your local credit union or ...

The aftermath of identity theft can be as simple as a few calls to the credit bureaus or it ...

Identity theft is a crime that involves someone else using your name, Social Security number ...

If you don’t have disability insurance provided by your employer or if you simply want your ...

The key to managing your home maintenance and improvement projects is understanding the ...

With the right tools and preparation, teach your children the basic principles of investing ...

While the benefits of an allowance may be clear, the specifics of how to structure one may not ...

With sector funds, you pick the industry and let professional portfolio managers pick the ...

If you’re ready to pull your hair out over your taxes, you may want to call on a pro. But who ...

Since this is the person who will be guiding you through the biggest financial and legal ...

Since good credit is such a valuable financial tool, you’ll want to protect yours so that it’s ...

What are your rights when it comes to a charge that you did make but are withholding payment ...

You’ve committed to an investment plan. You’ve chosen mutual funds you like. Now, all you have ...

Should your next car be new or used? If you’re debating which way to go, here’s some ...

Long-term care insurance policies can differ dramatically in terms of what kinds of services ...

If you have maxed out your employer’s retirement plan or are not eligible to participate in ...

Escrow is like an engagement period. Both you and the seller have accepted the idea of ...

How much you pay for auto insurance depends on many factors – some of which you can control ...

Whether you’re shopping for a new or used vehicle, you won’t be motoring for long if you’re ...

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows for up to 12 weeks of leave per year (if spouses work ...

Before you respond to ads that promise easy credit, regardless of your credit history, keep ...

Each year, the IRS selects a certain number of returns to audit. They keep their specific ...

To find a good, honest, reliable mechanic, you have to do your homework. Here are some tips to ...

One of the first things you should do when you know you may miss a payment is to reread your ...

If you’re like most consumers, you’re eager to get a credit card. However, credit can also ...

Having total control over cash flow is a critical step toward optimal financial wellness, yet ...

Looking to reduce your monthly payments? Here are some tips for making a good decision about ...

When it comes to our paycheck, we tend to focus on what hits our accounts. But some of the ...

Studies show that many twelfth graders across the country are clueless when it comes to money. ...

If you do a little homework, you’ll narrow your options to cars you love and can afford. Here ...

There are several things investors can do to minimize the taxes they’ll pay. Check out some of ...

Most of us have learned to be leery of the huge number of “deals” that arrive by email every ...

If you were to sit down and make a list of your most valuable assets, you might include your ...

If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, you no doubt have a lot of questions. Get the ...

When investing in rental real estate, you not only become a homeowner, but also a landlord. ...

The process is the same whether you are establishing credit for the first time or you are ...

A number of factors influence the amount of retirement income you may receive under Social ...

After a while, you realize that the cost of purchasing the vehicle was nothing compared to the ...

There’s a lot going on in your twenties: building a career, moving into your own place, ...

Sit down with your child and explain what a bank or credit union is so they know where to save ...

Ah yes, the annual tradition of gathering receipts and channeling our inner accountant! Tax ...

Compare up to three different mortgage scenarios and determine your estimated monthly payment ...

Determine the true cost of your debt, including interest, and assess how much interest you ...

Get a better idea of what your potential tax savings would be in your first two years of home ...

Estimate your tax liability if you were to exercise non qualified stock options.

See how much even just a small percentage saved into your workplace retirement account can add ...

Ever wonder how a certain investment mix would have performed in the past? Use this calculator ...

Decide whether to refinance your mortgage by determining your new payment and the break even ...

Want to get started on your own financial plan? Use these 5 simple steps to ensure your long ...

Find out the red flags to look for that indicate you need to fire your advisor today.

Thinking about taking a 401(k) loan? Understand the pros and cons, so you can make an informed ...

Want to get out of debt ASAP? Design a spending plan to get control of your cash, and then ...

Take these 3 steps to make sure you’re investing for success, so you can avoid 3 common traps ...

Determine if you should file your taxes yourself or leave it to a pro.

Bad investment performance may or may not be a reason to fire your financial advisor. Identify ...

Learn how your Health Savings Account (HSA) can also serve as an additional retirement savings ...

Thinking that real estate might help you to better afford your retirement expenses? Here are 3 ...

Focus on what you can control. Get some great strategies to make sure stock market ...

Learn how to make sure that when you pass, there is enough cash to pay for funeral expenses ...

Learn some strategies for using your IRA and HSA to save for financial goals besides ...

What’s the best way to invest your money to weather the ups and downs of the stock market? ...

How much is too much to have invested in one company’s stock? Understand why that approach may ...

Find out how to use the Retirement Estimator calculator to determine whether you’re saving ...

Credit card debt tends to mount up when unplanned necessities appear. Figure out how to save ...

A financial plan doesn’t have to be an arduous process. Here are 3 steps you can do on your ...

One way to make sure you don’t spend more than you make is by sticking to cash only by using ...

In case you missed it, the IRS gave retirement savers a little boost this year by increasing ...

You’ve probably heard by now that Congress recently enacted a significant tax cut for most of ...

First of all, I need to clarify that I would never advocate paying bills late — not only can ...

Insurance exists because accidents happen. And some accidents can cripple you financially if ...

When you are hit with an emergency like losing your job, an illness or any personal crisis ...

Withdrawals will be subject to income taxes except in situations where after-tax dollars were ...

Health insurance decisions can be a daunting task to tackle if you don’t know the ins and outs ...

Before you set out to find a financial planner, take some time to think about what you want a ...

I’ll be honest: no one likes to do estate planning. It is not pleasant to think about death, ...

Should you choose your own investments or have someone else do it for you? It’s a choice that ...

If you cannot complete your tax return by April 15th, you can get an extension to allow you ...

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), each credit bureau and the lender that provided ...

Life insurance could be the greatest gift you ever give your family if disaster strikes. But ...

Have you ever heard a financial advisor describe the virtues of an annuity and found yourself ...

Before my stepson and his wife took the plunge and put in a contract for their first home, I ...

It is easy to imagine experiencing a house fire and needing homeowner’s insurance coverage. We ...

Investing can seem complicated and even intimidating to a lot of people, but I’d argue that’s ...

Along with contemplating wills and death, putting together a set of medical directives and a ...

As an unbiased financial wellness coach, my mission is to help people towards being ...

In today’s extremely litigious society, it’s not usual to hear stories of people suing other ...

Editor’s note: This post is part of our Personal Stories series, where our financial coaches ...

Editor’s note: This post is part of our Personal Stories series, where our financial coaches ...

One of the more common calls we take on our Financial Helpline these days is young ...

Editor’s note: This post is part of our Personal Stories series, where our financial coaches ...

The retirement planning process doesn’t have to be an overwhelming endeavor if you focus on ...

If you’re a Millennial, you’re probably familiar with various “life hacks” to make life ...

The topic of investing can be a difficult one to navigate. One survey says 61% of Americans ...

Owning homes, apartments or commercial buildings can be an excellent source of current and ...

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to invest in rental real estate and taken the quiz to ...

The new tax law changes have implications for alimony payments that could help or hurt your ...

Are you in a marriage and have children from a previous relationship? If so, you’re considered ...

You’ve made a decision to take control of your cash flow, but you need some strategies to make ...

Being a homeowner comes with a lot of pride and satisfaction, not to mention the financial ...

Since my early days in the financial services industry, around 1997 or so, the industry mantra ...

While my friend Tania wrote about the surprise costs of senior year and my buddy Michael wrote ...

My parents adopted a puppy this summer and as part of their preparation for her arrival, we ...

One of the most common questions we receive as financial coaches is, “Should I do a 15-year or ...

Financial planners generally agree that delaying your Social Security retirement benefits can ...

When I went away to college, I was completely unprepared to handle my own money. My family ...

There are certain things in life that, without regular attention, will eventually cause ...

Many years ago, when we were just starting our family and wrestling with a host of competing ...

It’s officially hurricane and wildfire season again, and if the past couple years are any ...

Take a moment to think about what you would do if you were financially independent. Would you ...

As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence, I find myself reflecting on the notion of financial ...

One of the fundamental keys to investing success is maintaining a regular re-balancing ...

Note that the rules for qualifying for this program have changed since this post was written – ...

Owning a home is a financial goal for many Americans. For those who live in the most expensive ...

A good financial advisor can be an invaluable member of your financial team (along with your ...

Have you ever had to leave a job and couldn’t decide what to do with your retirement plan? I ...

We are quickly approaching that time of year when thousands of college students head off to ...

One of our daughters is preparing to head off to college in a few short weeks, which has me ...

Early retirement is a very common goal, although how exactly do you define “early?” For most ...

If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding and things have come to a screeching halt ...

There are a lot of advertisements and radio shows by financial advisory firms trying to ...

Contributing a little each year to your IRA can go a long way. Enter the amount you can ...

I was speaking with a client the other day about things she should consider before purchasing ...

Are you trying to pay off medical bills? Did you have an HSA-qualified health insurance plan ...

Are you a hands-on investor seeking investments beyond your 401(k) plan’s core list of ...

As interest rates creep back toward historical norms, you may want to take some time to ...

One of the more confusing parts about maintaining an ideal credit score is how a credit card’s ...

A few weeks ago, I was driving through an intersection a few blocks from my home. I had taken ...

I’ve talked with several people lately about how back to school shopping for their kids is so ...

This is a recent texting exchange I had with my 24-year old daughter who works in the medical ...

Do you have any upcoming summer plans? If so, you might want to think twice about which cards ...

Working in the world of financial wellness gives me almost unlimited opportunities to meet and ...

Follow these 3 steps to help you save more on your car insurance.

As a parent of a newborn and toddler, I can totally relate to people who feel like they just ...

One of the joys of working in my role is how many people I speak with who are wonderful, ...

Editor’s note: If you’d rather listen to this post, our friends at Optimal Living Daily read ...

This year at open enrollment, rather than just evaluating whether you should switch your ...

Late last week I received a panicked phone call from my sister. She had received an ...

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about why I started investing in direct rental real ...

When the inevitable time comes and you need to save money, it usually makes sense to cut out ...

Replacing vital documents that may have been destroyed during a hurricane, flood, fire or ...

One of the things I most often hear from people about personal finance is how much they wish ...

Have you recently been impacted by a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Florence or a fire ...

Earlier this year I wrote about home maintenance tasks I do in the spring to keep our house ...

The more people I meet, the more I realize that so many of us are suffering in silence from ...

Are you overlooking the real value of your benefits when you think about your compensation? ...

A recent article in AXIOS highlighted the difference in how 30-year olds today spend their ...

Should you own stock in your current or former employer? There are mixed opinions out there ...

When market returns have been positive for a while (like the reasonable, respectable ...

When you’re a typical working mom with school age kids, daily life can feel like a rush from ...

It seems like I have been hearing a lot more advertisements for the concept of a cash-out ...

Ever wonder if that 6.2% of each paycheck (or so) that you are socking away into your 401(k) ...

I recently wrote a blog post about my decision to sell a rental property. What if you want to ...

This fall, millions of Americans will face a choice of which health insurance plan to choose ...

I recently wrote about cash-out refinancing to tap into the equity in your home including the ...

One way to measure whether or not a particular expense or goal fits into your spending plan is ...

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since we experienced the Great Recession – for some ...

When was the last time you checked to make sure that all of your beneficiary designations were ...

Is everything negotiable? It’s not a part of the American culture to negotiate much, but you’d ...

Retirement means different things to different people. For some, retirement means a second ...

If you’re worried about how you’ll make ends meet when your new baby is born, know that there ...

When financial planners talk about emergency preparedness, they’re typically referring to ...

We’ve all probably seen those commercials that ask us, “What’s your number?” They mean, of ...

We’ve all heard the advice to “buy and hold” when it comes to investing, but when is it time ...

Here are some tips for making the most of yourself on paper, both from my own personal ...

All your working life you’ve been saving and investing some of your income for retirement. Now ...

While shopping for Halloween costumes for our kids recently, I started thinking about what we ...

Sometimes our finances become so scary they make us want to close our eyes and wish away all ...

We moved to Texas when my daughter was 4 years old after living in four houses in two ...

How much can you contribute to an IRA? For 2021, you can contribute up to $6,000 ($7,000 if ...

A common question I receive is where to put savings for short-term goals like an emergency ...

I believe firmly in the financial power of the side hustle. Especially in today’s convenience ...

I spoke with someone the other day that had purchased a 20+ year old home. I could tell by the ...

One of the most interesting things I’ve learned from having the opportunity to discuss money ...

One of the topics that comes up on our Financial Helpline is employees looking at options to ...

It is said that no one on their death bed ever wished they had worked just a little longer. ...

Do you sometimes know what to do with your money but still don’t take action on that ...

If someone were to ask me what I am the most proud of, next to my family, I would say that I ...

A question that I often get is, “Am I paying too much for investment advice?” This really ...

It happens. Good, hard working people find themselves overwhelmed with serious debt problems ...

Fall is a time of leaves changing colors, children going back to school, families enjoying ...

I admit it. I am a huge fan of Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The original ...

One theme I have noticed when talking with some married people (most often women but not ...

It’s my favorite time of year, and not just because my birthday falls amid the hubbub of the ...

Drink some cocoa, enjoy your friends and family – and have a safe, fun, and financially secure ...

Are you worried about identity theft? There’s no need to pay a monthly fee or even a one time ...

We all know that the holidays can be a total budget buster. It is so easy to get caught up in ...

My husband recently changed careers and is starting with his new employer at the end of this ...

You’ve heard the cliché: When it comes to saving for retirement, young people have time on ...

No one invests to lose money, but there can be times when selling investments at a loss can be ...

I often speak to parents who feel guilty because they don’t feel they’ve done an adequate job ...

The new tax law that was enacted earlier this year could mean big changes for your personal ...

Are you wondering if you should convert your retirement account to a Roth by the end of the ...

Last week two things happened that really drove home the true cost of over-borrowing for ...

One advantage of an HSA (health savings account) is that the money you contribute is yours to ...

Each year on my birthday, I like to spend some time reflecting on the past year and setting ...

It’s safe to say that you will start to hear a lot of talk about New Year’s resolutions over ...

Do you ever find yourself wondering what you should be doing to manage your finances? What’s ...

I once talked to a fellow employee at Financial Finesse who wasn’t very happy about our health ...

I have a confession to make. I am a last-minute holiday shopper. If you have ever wondered who ...

Stocks When you buy shares of stock, you become a partial owner of that company. There is no ...

Editor’s note: As 2018 draws to a close and we launch 2019, I’ve asked each of our bloggers to ...

A few months ago, I got to travel to one of my favorite cities, San Diego, on business. Having ...

Foreclosure is the legal action that your lender can take to repossess your home after you ...

Editor’s note: As 2018 draws to a close and we launch 2019, I’ve asked each of our bloggers to ...

Editor’s note: As 2018 draws to a close and we launch 2019, I’ve asked each of our bloggers to ...

It’s been a rough ride lately in the U.S. markets. As I write this, the S&P 500 index fell ...

Editor’s note: As we launch 2019, I’ve asked each of our bloggers to reflect on their own ...

Editor’s note: As we launch 2019, I’ve asked each of our bloggers to reflect on their own ...

Some financial problems can be good ones to have. This is one of those examples. What happens ...

This time of year, we often talk with people who are preparing to receive a bonus at work, ...

In the coming weeks, Americans will begin preparing their tax returns for 2018 under the tax ...

Do you know how your retirement accounts will be taxed at retirement? If not, you might want ...

If you have kids, you have probably already heard various people say, “you have to make a ...

When I was a financial advisor, one of the key messages I shared with my peers and prospective ...

I was recently facilitating a workshop about money management and the discussion turned to ...

There was a time when your credit score was your credit score. It was one number, and the ...

One of the greatest joys of my life is my brother, Michael. Despite the fact that he has ...

Are you living on earnings from commissions? You may be working for a firm, but in effect ...

I recently worked with a woman who, after a series of life events, had accumulated many ...

Ah, another tax year is behind us. Thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the way we ...

Annuities – the word itself can start WWIII in a room full of financial advisors. Some ...

Does everyone need a financial plan? Apparently Wealthfront’s co-founder and CEO doesn’t think ...

Updated for the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act During tax time, do you ever get to the section ...

Now that the federal government is back to work (for now, at least), the IRS is in the full ...

One of my favorite movies is the 1993 Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day. For those that ...

One of the areas that I find to have the most misconceptions is taxes. After all, Einstein is ...

As the wife of a federal worker who actually got paid during the last shutdown, we developed a ...

For people who travel a lot for work or live close to a state line, state income tax ...

Many of us work with two kinds of coworkers – those who say they can’t wait to retire and ...

I’ve always said that there are three things that you need to find in a romantic partner in ...

I’ve spoken with people who have a specific type of schooling in mind for their young and ...

At Financial Finesse I am often given the opportunity to assist people at the most important ...

When it comes to budgeting, the conventional wisdom is that we should divide our expenses into ...

What does America’s obsession with Fortnite have to do with making the most of your financial ...

The stock market is guaranteed to do one of two things: go up or go down. Because so many ...

When it comes to saving for college for your kids, perhaps you’ve looked in to pre-paid plans ...

When it comes to investing, once you’ve decided how to divide your money between types of ...

As much as we all love our jobs (at least I do), sometimes for one reason or another we find ...

When it comes to protecting my identity, I’ve had to be super-vigilant since a young age due ...

Income taxes are one of our largest expenses. We can’t avoid paying taxes, but we can try to ...

Note: Today’s post was co-authored by my colleague Laura Finn, who is a Senior Consultant at ...

I was recently given the opportunity to explain tax forms to a bunch of 17-year olds with part ...

Income taxes are one of our largest expenses. They can also become one of our biggest ...

I’m sure you’ve heard before that having an estate plan is a crucial part of your financial ...

I recently read an interesting study about the psychological impact of what it means to be the ...

I don’t know about you but there are days when I am so busy that I have to look at my iPhone ...

Spring break is an anticipated holiday for kids (young and old) around the country. It can ...

The stock market has taken investors on a pretty wild ride over the past several months. It is ...

One of the most common questions we receive centers around the decision with what to do with ...

With the official start of spring looming, perhaps it’s time for some spring cleaning of all ...

What started out as whispers of a potential financial crisis related to recent student loan ...

Have you ever heard of the “see food” diet? I like to joke that sometimes that’s my diet: I ...

This year, instead of something they’ll spend right away, consider giving the teenager in your ...

According to some statistics, over 70% of long-term care insurance policies are applied for ...

If you’re dealing with student loan debt, I’m sure you already know that the total amount owed ...

If you have the option of making Roth contributions to your employer’s retirement account, ...

One of my most vivid money memories growing up was when my dad took me in to the finance ...

Some of the toughest calls I handle as a financial coach are situations where someone is ...

The other day I popped into one of my favorite burger places to pick up a cheeseburger and ...

Two of the most common questions that I get as a financial coach are, “Do my investments make ...

Have you ever had “The Talk” with your partner and it ends in hurt feelings and a slammed ...

Do you have employee stock options that you’re not quite sure what to do with? Should you ...

Few of us are ever on time for everything all the time. While it might be inconsiderate to be ...

You may have seen the acronym SIPC associated with your investment accounts and wondered what ...

Most the time when we talk about the importance of estate planning, those conversations focus ...

With all of the different databases that have been hacked over the past couple years, it’s ...

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, living paycheck to paycheck and worried that an ...

We sometimes view our credit scores the same way we look at household appliances or cars: we ...

You don’t have to listen long to a news report to figure out that investing is a major topic ...

If you have an old life insurance policy and you no longer need the life insurance, don’t just ...

One of the biggest reasons couples argue about money is that they often disagree about what to ...

Starting a side business can be a great way to accelerate your goals, but proper planning is ...

I’ve talked to several people lately who were freaking out about their student loans. They ...

Whether or not you think that climate change is an issue in today’s day and age, there’s no ...

Understanding your financial identity can help to determine what types of things motivate you ...

Once you understand all the things that go into computing your credit score and take steps to ...

As you might guess, one of the most common investment questions we receive on the Financial ...

Have a regularly scheduled date with your spouse to talk about money. Try to have no other ...

“One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn’t have to understand something to feel it. ...

I recently read an article about how millennials fall for financial scams more than any other ...

For many professional athletes, being drafted is a key milestone in their financial lives. ...

Knowing what happens to work-based life insurance when you leave your job can help you decide ...

How long does it take for negative information to no longer appear on a credit report and how ...

Recently while listening to radio flashbacks of my younger, pre-marriage years, I remembered ...

At Financial Finesse we believe in the power of using your employee benefits to help you ...

Read what an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is and what you should consider before adding them to ...

I remember the first time I learned I would be paid a bonus at work – I was so excited for the ...

If your employer offers an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP,”) you may be wondering how ...

Follow these tips from an expert on keeping your A/C system running in top shape during ...

Think about how you use credit cards and what you spend them on to see which card(s) offer you ...

Some of my favorite memories growing up are from our family’s summer vacations. Now that I am ...

Five ways to help you invest appropriately for your investment goals.

Many real estate investors enjoy the tax write-offs that can come with rental property, but ...

Many of the companies that we work with offer some type of assistance program to employees ...

Early retirement requires a little more savvy about the rules for your accounts. Age 59 1/2 is ...

It takes more than money to enjoy a successful retirement. Research suggests that people who ...

When you think of retirement, what comes to mind? Is it suntan lotion and white sandy beaches, ...

From beginning to end, life is full of milestones—graduating college, getting your first job, ...

Tacky or smart? You decide. Here’s the etiquette if you decide cash is king.

If ETFs are a part of your investing strategy, make sure you’re not making any of these common ...

What are YOUR goals for this meeting? Use this checklist as a guide to prepare for your ...

While my dad and I have different viewpoints on investing, the financial lessons he’s passed ...

Read about the importance of having a balanced budget and the effects of not having one.

One of the most time-consuming (and least fun) parts of applying for a mortgage is gathering ...

With the year half over, it’s a good idea to check in on the plans you set at the beginning of ...

Summertime and celebrating America’s Independence Day always gets me thinking about the idea ...

Here are your choices if you contributed to a Roth IRA and then found out later that you were ...

Bankruptcy is not the “easy way out.” Sometimes, it’s the ONLY way out, but it should be ...

Treat your HSA like any other retirement account.

The point Doug wanted to make to me is that the odds of collecting a massive amount of wealth ...

Using a contribution rate escalator can help you build wealth painlessly over time.

Now that we are in the midst of open-enrollment season, this is a great time to start looking ...

You may have received stock options from your employer as part of a hiring or performance ...

We sometimes encounter people on the Financial Coaching Line who have multiple brokerage ...

Insuring investment property is a little more complicated than just buying one policy.

Lots of investing disclaimers point you to the prospectus for more information. Here’s how to ...

The best investment can be in yourself.

The answer might not be what you think.

Here are some examples of passive income sources that could supplement your retirement income ...

Tips for making the most of a 401(k) loan.

Managing a fantasy football team and managing your investments have some similarities.

When markets start fluctuating, it can be tempting to get out altogether. Here’s what to ...

The reality is that Millennials need to seriously focus on creating and following a plan that ...

A change in when you’re paid can lead to a week or more of no income, but with proper ...

What I’ve realized is that networking is really just making friends in a business setting, and ...

Learn how two different financial identities can succeed with one financial plan presented by ...

One way to help defray the cost of college is to take advantage of your employer’s tuition ...

These gift ideas are appropriate year-round.

There are a growing number of alternatives to the traditional high-fee bank. Here are the pros ...

Choose the one that is right for you based on your objective and level of involvement.

3 reasons it might not make sense and 6 reasons it might

If you’re looking to refinance your home, read about some things to think about before making ...

None of these gifts will probably be as exciting to these children as the latest video game ...

Here are some big money wasters we hear about from the employees we work with

You may not view it as an employee benefit, but discount insurance programs could be a ...

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is obviously one of the most difficult periods in ...

You’ve inherited an individual retirement account (IRA) – now what? Should you spend that ...

There are lots of factors to consider with this decision.

But instead of paying hundreds of dollars to have your taxes professionally prepared, you may ...

For the second time in 3 years, the year-end brought more than just new resolutions; it also ...

If compulsive shopping is getting in the way of your goals, try these tips!

The formula for calculating FICO scores is changing in summer 2020 – here’s how to be ...

No one likes seeing their money get ripped by taxes, so take full advantage of the tax-free ...

The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, better known as the ‘Saver’s Credit,’ is a tax ...

There are steps you can take to see if you have an above-average life expectancy and if so, to ...

There are steps you can take if your life expectancy is below average.

When tax season arrives it’s time to gather those receipts and crunch those numbers! For ...

In many ways, emergency planning is the Rodney Dangerfield of financial planning. It gets no ...

In addition to the COVID-19 Financial Survival Kit Webcast, the FF team has received hundreds ...

If you are a planner like me (full disclosure, I am not a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ ...

In the wave of the abrupt lifestyle changes prompted by COVID-19, having kids home all week ...

With COVID-19 sending millions to work-from-home and forcing businesses to temporarily shut ...

Our team at Financial Finesse is working overtime to keep employees and their workplaces ...

Your COVID-19 Financial Survival Kit Action Plan This action plan will provide guidance on how ...

Becoming financially independent is not easy, but can happen fairly quickly with “extreme” ...

FAQs from Your COVID-19 Financial Survival Kit Webcast You may have joined our recent webcast ...

Is now a good time to buy a home? There’s been a lot of concern recently about the impact of ...

A Financial Checklist to Help you Feel in Control During times of uncertainty, there are ...

A COVID-19 Retirement Investing Playbook For those of us that were planning on retiring this ...

The market has taken a dive lately, and that means many of us are seeing extreme changes in ...

When your stimulus check hits I bet there are quite a few things you would like to use that ...

The Economic Impact Payments are one of the more popular provisions of the CARES Act, which ...

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that based on legislation passed in December 2020, qualifying US ...

What should you do if the COVID-19 situation makes it difficult to pay the rent or mortgage ...

One area of financial planning that is often put off is estate planning, but we’ve seen a ...

Action Plan: How to Invest in a COVID-19 Environment, or down market This action plan will ...

The secret to building a foundation of financial success is keeping things simple and ...

In this video, Financial Coach Rynda tells you how to cut through the noise and find the best, ...

Many people do not realize that you can negotiate your payment schedule with creditors when ...

Most of us understand that having an adequate emergency fund is a fundamental financial ...

This action plan will provide the guidance you need to effectively start your emergency fund ...

You need to know a lot of numbers; your Social Security number, phone number, birthday, your ...

Student loans can represent a huge chunk of your debt. Not only can they take many years to ...

By now you hopefully know that along with your timeline, making sure you’re invested according ...

How you can mitigate the risks and costs of sending your kids to college.

Learn the benefits of REITs and how they work.

It’s more than just your mortgage payments you need to calculate.

Tips for managing your financial goals during uncertain times.

How to get the most value out of your paycheck.

Why you don’t want to delay and how to do it.

Prepare by breaking down your needs, wants and wishes.

Building a business plan for your rental business is critical to your success. It doesn’t have ...

Tis the season for parents to play Santa. If you haven’t already received your Christmas list, ...

Life is full of obstacles and adversities – some large, some small and others like the global ...

Today we talked about estate planning and how every adult needs at least the basic estate ...

The holidays often have sneaky ways of blowing out your budget. Here is a list of a few items ...

A gift that children can benefit from for their entire lives.

A few tips on making the most of your charitable giving.

One strategy we have seen become increasingly popular is the backdoor Roth conversion through ...

Using after-tax 401(k) contributions to execute backdoor conversions to a Roth IRA can be an ...

We get many retirement benefits questions on our Financial Helpline from professionals who are ...

One trend I’ve noticed in recent years is people with full-time jobs starting a business on ...

We typically spend most of our working life putting money in accounts for retirement, but how ...

I was having lunch with a friend recently and he raised a question about reverse mortgages. ...

If you’re looking for an easy way to reduce the amount of taxes you pay, properly documenting ...

A living trust can help with many estate planning goals, but not everyone needs one. This quiz ...

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are often bundled with high deductible health insurance plans ...

However, there are several main reasons why your estate may be more likely to be taxable than ...

When I first graduated from college, my plan was to rent for one year and then purchase my own ...

The often overlooked ability to make HSA contributions up until the tax filing deadline is an ...

The primary difference between our working and retired years is not how our sources of income ...

Here are some guidelines to follow.

It is said that it is better to give than receive. There’s even research that shows that ...

Here are some ideas, along with the benefits and pitfalls of each.

As always, I seem to owe a bit extra each year (that’s by design) when doing my taxes, and ...

Strategies on taking the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) that can help you be more ...

As the tax filing deadline approaches (which is normally April 15th), I dare say a lot of ...

The average cost of childcare for an infant or toddler in the United States can easily exceed ...

Are you worried about paying too much in taxes this year? If you wait until you file next ...

Before you say “yes” or “no,” ask yourself these questions:

Did you know that if you have money in an IRA that you want to use for healthcare expenses ...

If you’re like most Americans, by the time you’re done dealing with your taxes for the ...

Here are some of the most common myths about gifts I hear:

The death of a loved one is often a very emotional and stressful experience. Doubts about ...

My sixteen-year-old daughter recently received her very first W-2 from her part-time job as a ...

Required minimum distributions, or RMDs for short, are the IRS’s way of making sure income ...

While the primary focus during the accumulation stage of the retirement planning process is on ...

How much should you contribute to your Health Savings Account in 2021? If you’re enrolled in a ...

Did you receive or give any large monetary gifts to family or friends this holiday season? We ...

Most people know that the amount of your Social Security benefit depends on two things: The ...

When it comes to education, most financial planning is centered around ways to save and invest ...

Once we have that student debt under control, we can enjoy the rest of our retirement years.

For people who strive to put the maximum amounts away into accounts with annual limits such as ...

In the end, I’ve seen that what matters is the emotional viewpoint of each individual.

If you’re like a majority of Americans, you may feel like you paid too much in federal taxes ...

When it comes to preparing your taxes, should you do it on your own or hire a professional tax ...

Tax brackets are based on Taxable Income

A financial crisis leads to fast paced change. When this occurs, the avalanche of new ...

A scholarship fund can leave a lasting, and rewarding, legacy.

I’ll never forget the first day I saw the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It looked like ...

When couples discuss plans to start a family, finances are one of the key considerations.

Originally posted on Forbes.com. The 2020 tax season is upon us, and many people are wondering ...

On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. ...

Believe it or not, tax season is upon us. On February 12th, the IRS began officially accepting ...

To understand how best to bring change into your life, you have to be mindful of how you react ...

Considering how much most people hate to haggle, avoiding a car dealership is one of the great ...

It can be a shock for teens working a summer job to get their first paycheck and there’s a ...

Taking the time to help your parents make the best decision will go a long way into making the ...

Are you insanely worried about money? Does worrying about paying the bills and tackling debt ...

My parents complained to me of the costs of Medicare and wondered what they can do about it. ...

The last thing you need is another reason for bad lawyer jokes.

Becoming a caregiver to a loved one is not only emotionally challenging, it can put a strain ...

Losing a loved one is not easy and can be difficult if they took care of the finances. These ...

Knowing which questions to ask can help you to find the right financial advisor for your ...

The good news is that there are numerous ways you can consider reducing, eliminating and ...

Many families today face the challenge of caring for an older parent. For some, it involves an ...

Collecting all of the important paperwork for a loved one can be overwhelming. This list can ...

Make sure you get what you’re owed.

My colleague Teig Stanley offers the top 3 fears that we help people address and a strategy to ...

Living below your means, paying off high interest credit debt and having an emergency fund are ...

This spring has been an absolute blur for me: my daughter graduated from college, then six ...

Last week I wrote about how a workplace financial wellness benefit is different from your ...

Back in my twenties, I found myself bored with life and looking for a change. For most people, ...

Let’s suppose you have sufficient emergency savings and are maxing the match in your 401(k). ...

As we approach the end of summer and the beginning of fall, things are changing. Temperatures ...

I was so excited the first Christmas when my daughter was about 1 year old. I scoured the ads ...

There are three kinds of questions when it comes to personal finance. The first are those with ...

An EAP is an employer-sponsored program that offers employees a variety of services and ...

“I’m so tired of driving this old beat up car. As soon as I make some more money, I’m getting ...

Every year around tax time when I’m talking with people about filing their taxes on time, I’m ...

Many divorces start out rather amicable. When two people decide they will  “consciously ...

With a busy work schedule, two incredible kids (a.k.a. “the monsters”), research and writing ...

Have you ever been approached by a friend or family member asking you to cosign on a loan for ...

Besides knowing what counts and doesn’t count toward your credit score, what is the ideal ...

You’ve probably figured out that I am not a big fan of cosigning on loans – too much risk and ...

This month marks my 2-year anniversary of joining Financial Finesse. Prior to making the move, ...

By now you’ve probably heard about the passing of Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul.” What ...

There are a number of opinions out there on whether people who are paying off debt and/or ...

Many years ago, when I was an apartment-dwelling single guy, I enjoyed living in a very ...

You’ve inherited an individual retirement account (IRA) – now what? Should you spend that ...

I’m at that age where my children are preparing to graduate from high school while several of ...

For many people, a divorce means redefining who they are. This could be a change in name, ...

Whether it’s transportation, entertainment or housing, we have a lot more options today to get ...

Here are some resources to learn more about what your responsibilities entail and where you ...

According to the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts, before you begin divorce ...

Someone recently asked me if they were going to have to pay taxes on the sale of their home, ...

Settling an estate can be a complex process that lasts, in many cases, up to a year. Before ...

Have you generally been financially responsible but your spouse or fiancé has made some bad ...

One question we often receive is whether or not to close a card after it’s paid off or no ...

When it comes to planning your spending (sometimes called that nasty “budget” word), there are ...

This is a difficult topic to address. If your spouse dies, the trauma of the loss may make it ...

I honestly believe garage sales have been around ever since the invention of the garage and ...

The steps can help you with the financial aspects of getting through a divorce.

What financial decisions did you make during your first working year after college that still ...

As a guy who has gone through a divorce, I always feel a special need to help those who are ...

Just a few simple steps can help you maintain control and protect the people (and ...

A Roth IRA can be an excellent retirement savings vehicle that also provides enough ...

Here are some simple steps you can take to acquire the car of your dreams:

When it comes to managing student loans, here are some online resources that may help you ...

Taking control of our financial lives can improve relationships, help us feel healthier, and ...

The one thing we should all agree with is not wanting to pay high interest rates on debt so ...

Here’s why I think we need to stop trying to find the perfect app and instead even the most ...

Here are 7 things that I do today, some big and some small, that I DIDN’T do when I had debt:

Here are five ways people mess up their debt pay-off plans:

When looking at real estate as investment, don’t just focus on historical appreciation.

While you may not be able to avoid some of the financial fall-out from ending your marriage, ...

With all the volatility in the stock market and potential changes in tax law on the horizon, ...

It is the actual annual cost of any loan, including mortgages, car loans and even credit ...

I’d argue that past performance is actually the last criteria anyone should consider when ...

As pricey as cars are today, don’t let yourself pay a multiple of the sticker price.

Here’s the skinny on what you need to know to maximize your deduction:

Doing these few things can help you save potentially thousands on your auto loan.

Today, when people feel that a creditor has treated them unfairly, they can turn to the ...

One of the biggest questions people often ask as they’re going through a divorce is how it ...

Besides being able to substantiate what you put on your tax return, here’s why you need to ...

Decide if you want a tax preparer, an EA or a CPA.

Here are some steps to take:

My husband loves to mentor young men, especially married men — he says he hopes to help ...

Do you feel constant stress from credit card debt or student loans? Perhaps you’re wishing for ...

Are you a U.S. citizen or resident alien (green card holder) planning on working abroad? We’ve ...

One of the biggest roadblocks I faced when I was paying off debt was getting out of the “debt ...

In this age when people are measuring everything from the number of steps they take, to how ...

A friend of mine recently asked me about doing a balance transfer, which is a common question ...

It might not always seem black and white when it comes to deciding whether to buy or to lease ...

One of my favorite parts of gift-giving is shopping for the perfect item, so avoiding the ...

After a recent client meeting, I realized just how impactful financial conversations can be. ...

Opposites attract, and they can also learn to play to each other’s strengths for maximum ...

It might sound like a great deal to get your hands on your refund money today versus waiting ...

Have you noticed a little boost in your paycheck recently? That’s probably because employers ...

When it comes to the new tax law, by now you have most likely already heard that the income ...

Before you set out to find an Estate Planning attorney, take some time to think about what you ...

In my 11 years in the financial services industry, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon ...

Much of our financial situation is a result of old habits – how do you make them better?

One of the things that is toughest to grasp about taxes for non-tax professionals is the ...

The lessons that a professional athlete wants everyone to learn sooner in life.

  Years ago, I had a friend who was a single, recently divorced, full-time working mother of ...

This is a common question posed to financial planners and advisers: “Should I save more for ...

My family and I just returned from an amazing vacation, which has me reflecting on some of the ...

Twenty or so years ago, my employee Greg and his soon-to-be wife, Susan, opted to take a ...

I was chatting with one of our Client Service Managers, Cassie Brunelle, about how expensive ...

This question was posed to me recently by a fellow financial planner. His question certainly ...

I have four children who all have custodial accounts. By definition, those custodial accounts ...

It is clearly graduation season — the proud parents, gowns, and decorated mortar boards are ...

As a financial wellness coach, I have the unique opportunity to dive deep into the finances of ...

Have you heard the latest dating trend? You may have heard of ghosting and even stashing, but ...

We’ve all heard about 529 plans as a vehicle to save for college, but what about using them ...

There it is. The dreaded stack of unpaid bills. The “I’ll get to that later” pile. The pile ...

Feeling less than happy with your finances these days? If you are like me, it’s not enough to ...

Are you considering graduate school? If you’re like most American graduate students, you’re ...

A lot of the financial guidance out there about making big purchases such as a car focuses on ...

Have you ever found yourself in a pinch when it feels like your financial world is crashing ...

What you don’t know CAN hurt you when it comes to applying for financial aid.

If you’re over 50 and thinking about making catch-up contributions, run a retirement estimate ...

One of the more common questions we receive as people prepare for retirement or just get close ...

Here are eight inexpensive ways to prepare your home for a satisfying sale:

If you experience a layoff, make sure you take the time to review your benefits package.

With a few tweaks, most people can become budgeting gurus in no time!

A friend of mine recently asked me what I thought of the new Department of Labor’s rule last ...

Your credit report contains personal information, such as your name and address, Social ...

Once you decide to sell your home, you want the process to go as quickly and smoothly as ...

Choosing when to buy or sell a home is one of those crucial financial planning decisions that ...

The best long-term care (aka “LTC”) plan for you will depend on your family situation, health ...

How much is your home worth these days?  More importantly, why does it matter?  Perhaps you ...

The key is to figure out which one is going to work better for you.

Do you ever wonder if your retirement account is invested properly? Many confused investors ...

You sit down with the bills, check your account online, and discover there’s not enough money ...

How does paying for health care costs change in retirement? For most American workers who ...

A great way to make August productive is to examine the employee benefits programs that you ...

If you have children approaching college age, you probably feel a mix of excitement and ...

While we usually discuss investing in the context of retirement planning in 401(k)s and IRAs, ...

Here are seven things you should and should not do when it’s time to start repaying your ...

I recently received a panicked call from a friend of mine who had just graduated from graduate ...

Here is an example of my personal “note card investment plan:”

Here are a few things to consider:

The best way to avoid money fights, or at least have more productive money discussions, is to ...

The lesson for all of us here is to pray for health and good weather, but keep a solid cash ...

If you’ve been thinking you’ll wait until you feel more like you can afford to save, it’s time ...

Here are some of the tips we’re using to find the best deal on a new ride.

If you’re like me, with parents who are retired but still very self-sufficient, concerns about ...

Here are a few tips I use to keep online shopping sprees in check:

If you have rental properties or are thinking of investing in one, here are some of the ...

We are lucky enough to have access to them at Financial Finesse and my colleagues with great ...

If I could go back to 1990, ten years ago when I graduated from high school (please allow me ...

Everywhere you turn, you hear or read personal finance experts advocating the use of index ...

Today, I conclude my investing series with how to invest in an education savings account. The ...

If you’ve ever taken the time to categorize your monthly spending, chances are you had a ...

In the past 7 months, my daughter has had two concussions, a bruised ankle, a broken elbow and ...

If you’re carrying credit card debt and paying on time, chances are you also regularly receive ...

You may have heard about people who are saving a ton of money by not having cable TV (cutting ...

If you’re like a lot of people, even if you have gotten help choosing the investments in your ...

Many years ago while attending a wedding, I overheard the couple’s accountant (it was a HUGE ...

If you leave your job, you have three choices when it comes to your 401(k) plan. Here are some ...

Long term care (LTC) insurance can be an important part of retirement planning and one that ...

If, after running the numbers and statistics, you’ve determined that you do indeed need to ...

Which of these four money types best describes you?

Technology has revolutionized everything from choosing a restaurant to getting directions or ...

The idea of including your pet in your estate plan may sound odd or eccentric – like something ...

First-time home-buyers are often surprised by the requirements of obtaining a mortgage, ...

As the school year winds down and the invitations to high school graduations start pouring in, ...

I recently spoke to a young man who was evaluating his options regarding a private student ...

Editor’s note: If you’d rather listen to this post, our friends at Optimal Living Daily read ...

If you have dependents, you might need life insurance. If you’re in your 50’s to mid-60’s with ...

Are you confident that your investments are well positioned to help you reach your financial ...

Many of us dreamily envision the possibility of retiring someday; you know, making work ...