The Heartwarming Benefits of Giving Back
It’s that time of year! It’s a time for reflection, connection, and—if you ask me—giving with your whole heart. There’s something uniquely special about year-end giving. Embracing your generous spirit before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st is beautiful (and practical, too).
Key takeaways from Charles Schwab’s Impact Conference
Recently I attended Charles Schwab's Impact Conference in San Francisco. I had an amazing few days! I connected with fellow financial advisors, learned about cutting-edge topics like AI, fixed-income strategies, and Medicare planning, and was inspired by incredible keynote speakers.
The Power of 5-Year Goals: Boost Confidence, Drive Success, and Achieve More
Setting 5-year goals helps you to create a roadmap for your future, fostering motivation, growth, and ultimately, a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life.
Why working with a Certified Financial Planner® is so important
I’m sharing a frightening story about what can happen when you trust the wrong financial advisor. It highlights exactly why it's so important to understand the difference between someone who simply calls themselves a "financial planner" and a true Certified Financial Planner® professional.
Traveling abroad reminded me how fortunate we are here at home
A recent trip abroad reminded me how fortunate we are here in U.S. We have many freedoms that are easily taken for granted. Remember to exercise your right to vote!
The Money Talk: Compassionate Tips for Conversations with Aging Parents
Being part of the "Sandwich Generation" often means navigating difficult conversations with your aging parents. One of the most crucial, yet often avoided, is estate planning. While it might feel uncomfortable, initiating this discussion is a vital step in ensuring your parents' wishes are honored and their affairs are in order.
The Sandwich Generation Struggle: Juggling Care for Kids and Aging Parents
Are you part of the sandwich generation? The "sandwich generation" describes adults, typically in their 40s and 50s, who find themselves caught between the needs of their aging parents and their children. This means they are often juggling financial responsibilities, emotional support, and practical care for two generations at once.
Your Vote, Your Voice: Why Every Vote Matters in Shaping Our Future
We are incredibly fortunate to have the right to vote in the United States. While some may believe their individual vote holds little weight, it truly does. We have the freedom to think independently and choose the leaders who will shape our nation's policies. By exercising our right to vote, we also demonstrate the power of democracy. Although no system of government is perfect, democracy empowers each of us to have a voice in our country's future.
Retirement Savings Options for Small Business Owners
If you are a small business owner, establishing a retirement account is essential! Two options available to you are an individual 401(k) or a SEP IRA.
Both individual 401(k)s (also known as solo 401(k)s) and SEP IRAs are retirement savings plans designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners. However, they have some key differences that can make one a better choice for you than the other.
Retirement Housing 101: Affordability, Accessibility, and the Perfect Location
There are lots of decisions to make when thinking about retirement. Housing is a biggie, so let's break down what to look for:
First up, what can you afford? We're talking mortgage or rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities, just to start off. Making sure those costs won't cramp your retirement lifestyle is extremely important!
Social Security Simplified: Making Sense of Your Options
Social Security should be a comforting safety net, but let’s be real—it’s more like a tangled web that can leave you spinning. In this blog we will break down social security to make it a bit more manageable.
A New Beginning: Finding Balance and Fulfillment After the Kids Have Flown
To the woman contemplating her life after kids: May you find the perfect balance between newfound freedom and personal fulfillment. Remember, it's your time to shine.
Finding Lost 401(k)s
You might be wondering, “How does someone lose a 401(k)?” Believe it or not, thousands of folks have retirement accounts they've forgotten about. Life gets busy, jobs change, and sometimes those accounts slip through the cracks. Learn where to search for those lost accounts!
Exploring All Your Income Sources During Retirement
Thinking about where your money will come from once you’re done working might seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry. With some careful planning and a diversified approach, you can look forward to a retirement that’s as vibrant and fulfilling as you’ve always dreamed.
Retirement Realities for Women: Start Planning Today
Retirement might seem far off, but for women, it's crucial to start planning early. We tend to live longer than men, so our assetsneed to stretch further. Plus, thanks to the wage gap and time taken off for caregiving, we might have less saved up than our male counterparts.
What are the risks for retirement?
Retirement is a stage of life that requires careful planning to mitigate various risks that can threaten financial stability and well-being. We examine the key risks in this article.
Visualizing my own retirement
Visualization has long been touted as a tool that works, many successful people credit this technique as a part of achieving their goals. Neuroscientists have long known that visioning works. There is nothing woo-woo about this. Professional athletes to CEOs have used visioning techniques for years. I share my personal visualization exercise in this post.
Picture Perfect Retirement: A Guide to Visualizing Your Dreams and Goals
Have you ever really thought about how your personal retirement will play out? Picturing successful retirement planning initially involves envisioning how you want your life to look like when you fully or partially retire. Here I share some important steps to get started on a vivid and detailed picture of your ideal retirement.
Women and Retirement: Navigating the Path in America
Let's dive into a topic that's crucial for all of us, but especially for the amazing women out there—retirement planning. Women face unique challenges when preparing for retirement and contrast their experiences with those of men.
How to stay cool without breaking the bank this summer
The sun is finally shining, the days are longer, and the vibes are just right! Time for the beach, right?! – Yes! However, summer can also bring those scorching expenses that leave us feeling a bit burned out, financially speaking.