This column is for you if you’re: After almost four decades in the financial services industry, I’ve observed some fascinating facts about human nature. One is this: the further away an event is, the more willing people are to ignore risk now by saying, “I’ll deal with that later.” The problem? Later comes sooner than […]
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A lot of people today are feeling nervous. They’re anxious about their financial futures. You can tell from the questions they ask: Questions like these are understandable. There IS major upheaval in our economy. But this doesn’t mean we have to roll over and act like victims. And it surely doesn’t mean we can’t plan.
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If you’re in your forties, my guess is you’re thinking hard about the economy lately—and specifically, your own financial future. You see the volatility in the markets. You read the reports about trade wars, inflation, and signs of a possible recession. You hear the “experts” questioning the viability of Social Security. All this has you
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Someone told me, “I wish your emails and columns would sometimes relate to people with average income or meager means. Everybody’s not rich, you know! What about us? What can WE do to live better?” Here’s how I responded… I have met multi-millionaires with no time, love, or peace in their lives. I have met
Living Better with Less Read More »
Despite her widow status, advancing age, and increasing forgetfulness, Elaine insists on “staying in my home!” She manages pretty well, but lately her adult sons have become concerned. Evidence suggests that mom’s new maid has been “borrowing” money from the petty cash envelope. And the latest problem? Yesterday, a “nice young man” sold mom life
Protecting Your Aging Parents Read More »
Are you one of those people who says, “I make a new financial plan every few years. But the wheels fall off every single time. Honestly…what’s the point. Why bother?” I suspect you know why a financial plan matters, but let me offer this… Twenty years ago, a man named Bob Castiglione told me, “Money
What Kills Most Financial Plans Read More »
You’ve probably seen news reports of the devastating fires that swept through southern California last month. At last count, authorities say almost 17,000 homes were destroyed. I bet each time you saw a teary-eyed homeowner picking through charred rubble, you thought, “What should I do to be prepared?” The answer isn’t complicated…the same thing that
Are You Prepared for a Disaster Read More »
Richie and Cari Cheney have a ninth-grade son. According to Cari, “We’d really like him to go to the small private school where we met, but it’s kind of expensive.” “Yeah,” Richie adds, “No way in the next three years we can save enough, so what’s the best way to borrow for college?” What would
Kids & College: 4 Smart Guidelines Read More »
People often complain to me about how much they’re paying in interest—on their mortgage, car loans, or credit cards. Or, they’ll fret out loud about the future—”How am I EVER going to save enough to live comfortably in retirement?” Here’s an example: Joe: I figure I need at least $1 million to be able to
Change Your Behavior to Change Your Life Read More »
Have you heard about the Pyle brothers? They did most things alike. They married sisters, lived in the same neighborhood, and worked for the same employer. Both planned for retirement. Here’s how the brothers were different. Big R. Pyle didn’t think much about life’s risks. As a kid, he routinely defied his mom’s “no swimming
Is Bigger Really Better? Read More »
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