A subscriber wrote and asked: I’m retired and widowed. My two adult sons still depend on me to pay some of their bills—even though one of them has a job. (The other can’t seem to keep steady work.) I’m worried that when I’m gone, they are going to fight over my money, even though I […]
Adult Children Dependent on Parents Read More »
The week after Christmas is a strange hodge-podge of activity, isn’t it? We head for home, take down holiday decorations, and return gifts. We worry about how much we overspent…and resolve to “do better” in the coming year. I’m convinced the week after Christmas is the perfect time to review the year that’s been…and look
A Financially Perfect 2023? Read More »
Occasionally I get invited to speak to college students about life, money, and success. In fact, I’m scheduled to do that tomorrow. Here are the four reminders/suggestions I plan to share with them. Die well. Soon after you arrived on campus, you realized, “Not everybody thinks the way I do.” That’s actually a good thing.
Life Planning for College Students Read More »
A car breaks down on the side of the highway. The couple can’t remember the last time they had an oil change. A man lies nervously in pre-op awaiting a heart-lung transplant. He recalls his first cigarette and wishes he’d never started smoking. A couple wrangles in divorce court, arguing bitterly over custody and property.
Preparing Beats Repairing Read More »
I don’t have to remind you we just celebrated Thanksgiving. For many of us, the day was full of family, feasting, football and Friday…endless advertisements about Black Friday and the “don’t you dare miss this” sales that go with it. One of my family’s simple traditions is to go around the table during the Thanksgiving
Thankful for Hope in Hard Things Read More »
I grew up watching Let’s Make a Deal with Monty Hall. Eager audience members would scream wildly, pleading with Monty to pick them to play the game. Once Hall had chosen someone to play, announcer Jay Stewart would bring down what looked to me like a TV dinner trey with a small package on it.
“Honey!” the mother pleads, looking into her adult daughter’s eyes. “I just want you to be happy. Listen to your heart!” This line (or one like it) shows up in every sappy Hallmark movie I watch with my wife. I can’t imagine worse advice to give someone—whether in the area of romance, parenting, career advancement,
Why Listening to Your Heart is a Bad Idea Read More »
No matter why I go see my doctor, he always does a few things first. Whether I’m complaining of cold or flu symptoms, or getting an annual physical, he first listens to my heartbeat, assesses my breathing (with an extra cold stethoscope), and looks down my throat, up my nose, through my ears, and into
Time for a Fiscal Physical? Read More »
“You’re saying I should invest NOW?” Jordan almost choked as he thrust the heavy weights over his head. He and his buddy Patrick regularly solved all the world’s problems during their noon workouts. On this day, the conversation had turned to personal finance. “Dude, the stock market is HORRIBLE!” Jordan said emphatically as he set
Two “Dudes” Work Out an Investment Plan Read More »
“I have some other things I’d like to do,” he said with a slight hesitation in his voice. “So, I don’t think I can commit to that right now.” He was responding to my encouragement that he establish a regular saving plan. How unfortunate. Because except for those rare souls who win the lottery or
Why People Don’t Save Read More »
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