June has come and gone, and we are officially in the second half of 2016! Remember those goals you set for yourself back in January? Most people forget about those a few weeks into the new year. But if you want to stay on track with your goals and plans for the year, it's a good idea to take stock of how you're doing at the halfway point. Start here: 1. Reflect on Your Goals Take a look Continue Reading
Why Life Insurance is NOT an Investment
If you consider life insurance an investment, you're not alone. Permanent life insurance is often sold as an investment wrapped up in an insurance policy, but don't be too hasty to sign off on the dotted line on a certain product. There may be better options for you, and far better investments. Here's what you need to know before shopping for life insurance: If you're a more visual learner, Continue Reading
Buying a Car at the Right Price
Buying a car is an expensive purchase for the American family, second only to buying a home. It makes up 13% of the average American’s yearly spending, according to the United States Department of Labor. With so much money on the line, buying a car can be a stressful experience. Here’s how to buy a car so you get the right price without all the fuss: Don’t Just Walk into the Dealership Buying a Continue Reading
8 Money Books for New Grads
Graduation season is here! If you've got a student - or know one - who is graduating this spring, now is the perfect time to get them thinking about saving, budgeting and planning for their financial future. Here are some money books that would make great gifts for the grad in your life as they prepare the years ahead: 1. Work Your Wealth: 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choices With Your Money Continue Reading
Tips for Planning an Affordable Summer Trip
If you've been dreaming of a summer getaway, now is the time to put those plans in motion! The kids are out of school, the days are longer, and everyone is up for a break. If your affordable summer trip is a weekend away to visit family or a two-week European excursion, you're still going to need to consult the numbers first. Here's how to plan a vacation that will keep your budget in Continue Reading
An Easy Budget to Build Wealth
We all know what we have to do to build wealth: spend less and save more. But it can be tough to know what to do on a daily basis to build wealth. It’s fine to have take-out sometimes, but can you afford take-out tonight? Or do you need to save the money for something else? A budget can help you stay on track. A budget can help you make wise spending decisions, but most of us find living by a Continue Reading
Tackling Financial Goals in the New Year
If you’d like to make your money work for you, you probably have a few financial goals for the new year. I work with people every day who are working to do things like save for retirement, plan for college, and pay off their student loans. Accomplishing these financial goals is an important part of creating a secure financial future. But if you're not sure where to start or if you’ve tried and Continue Reading
Your Year-End Financial Checklist
Managing your money to reach your financial goals is a never-ending activity. But as the end of the year approaches, there’s still time to make progress towards your yearly goals. Use this financial checklist to see if there's anything you can do before the end of the year. With the tax year winding to a close, a few moves might make a big difference. 1. Review Your Year Every financial move Continue Reading
Living a Richer Life with Gratitude
It’s human nature to set your sights a little bit bigger time after time. We set goals to become stronger, faster, smarter and wealthier. We're always trying to get a little better bit by bit. But when it comes to money, always wanting more will mean that you'll never have enough. It’s hard to be in a place of satisfaction and gratitude when there’s a desire for more. Evaluate Where You've Continue Reading
Talking About Money with Your Spouse
Relationships don’t survive without honest talks about money. Money conversations can be tough, even when you’re happily married. It’s an incredible gift to your marriage to know how to handle your money in a productive, drama-free way with your spouse. Some researchers estimate that couples who work together to manage their money can double their wealth as compared to their single Continue Reading