We have quite a bit of deferred maintenance due at our home (painting, replacing windows, carpentry, etc.). To get some projects going, should we borrow the money, use some of our cash reserves, or sell an investment? I really do not want to take on debt, so that...
General Planning
Financial Folly or Just Bad Luck?
Let’s face it, we all make mistakes. What are some common financial planning mistakes? To name a few: Overspending. Underestimating life expectancy. Neglecting to develop an eldercare plan. Underestimating the impact of inflation. Buying annuities without...
The Best Plan for Aging Well is Free
Aging is a funny thing. Not ha-ha funny, but more of a “Are you kidding me!?” kind of funny. For instance, I’ve got arthritis in my big toes (my BIG TOES, for crying out loud!). And why is hair falling out of my head but proliferating out of my nose and ears? In a...
Stage your own ‘Operation Christmas Clean-up’ to prepare financially for 2024
Last week, we began decorating our home for the holidays. As we retrieved and unpacked boxes of ornaments and garland and lights, we began to explore everything else that was in storage. The project morphed into a year-end house cleaning. “Operation Christmas...
Good News: Inflation is Down, the S&P 500 is Up, and Humans are Resilient
You can find good news, if you look for it. On the other hand, bad news is easy to find: war, inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic. Bad news is typically unexpected. Financially, bad news is often cyclical. Periods of economic growth are followed by recession. Stock...
Time to Grab an Umbrella Insurance Policy?
When your local weather forecaster tells you that it's going to rain, what do you do? That's easy--you reach for your umbrella. So why not purchase an umbrella that can protect you in stormy financial weather? Umbrella liability insurance (ULI) can do just that. By...
Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Money
When it comes to money, some people believe ridiculous things. Where do we get these money beliefs? Usually from family or society. Here are some examples: “Money can’t buy happiness.” To a degree, sure it can. While money can’t buy a feeling, having money can create...
Do Your Homework Before Hiring a Financial Professional
So you need financial advice. Where will you get it? Often a specific event or a long-term need will trigger the search for professional guidance. Furthermore, you may not have the expertise, the time or the desire to research, plan or manage certain aspects of your...
Look for Happiness, Opportunities in the Midst of Adversity
“Happy New Year!” many people exult, but maybe you aren’t feeling it. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding us as we head into the new year: inflation, war, investment volatility, a possible recession looming, waves of viruses. Many families are confronting...
Here are some smart financial planning moves for your spring ‘cleaning’
A few weeks ago, we cleaned out and reorganized our bedroom closet and our garage. The annual spring ritual leaves us feeling better and a few dollars richer as we gave away some clothes, shoes and coats and sold some bigger items online. Now our attention is turning...