In my 100% polyester, off-white leisure suit with its bell-bottomed pants and extra wide lapels, I thought I was hot stuff. My lime green nylon shirt sported a lion’s head on the back. My ensemble was made complete with platform shoes and a puka shell necklace. Oh, and I should mention my hair—blown dry and […]
Falling for Financial Fads? Read More »
This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Merchants will sell millions of flowers and cards and tons (literally) of candy. And restaurants will serve up all manner of candlelight dinners to sweethearts who are clamoring to demonstrate their passion. But if you’ve been married for longer than about a month, you know that love needs deeper
The Things We Do for Love Read More »
I’m pretty sure National Lampoon’s 1985 movie “European Vacation” was based on my family’s 1972 trip to the same destination. Both were comedies. Back then, European borders and currencies were as numerous and confusing as a Byzantine map. To this day, I have no idea where we were when I tried to mail that postcard.
Buckets of Money for Retirement! Read More »
“Don’t get a haircut!” That was my father’s reaction years ago when I told him I was about to have a professional photograph taken. I was baffled. I had no more hair then than I do now. Why this odd advice? Dad proceeded to tell me about his own experience. He’d once had his picture
The Problem with Financial Plans Based on Sad Stories Read More »
When my wife and I are on the interstate, nothing makes her more nervous than me passing an 18-wheeler. (In her defense, I’m not the one who would first feel the effects of a tractor-trailer swerving violently in our direction.) If she senses even the slightest movement our way, she ends up in my lap!
5 Ways You Can Be Safer Financially Read More »
Life is made up of promises, big and small. From marriages, to mortgages, to meals delivered on time, we depend on others—as they depend on us—to keep the promises that have been made. Take the young man who pledges to be faithful to his young bride “till death do us part.” That’s a promise he
Making and Keeping Promises Read More »
Didn’t see that one coming, did you? We’ve been so focused on a deadly pandemic and unceasing political drama that we missed the onset of…winter. You remember winter, don’t you? Normally in Louisiana, it’s that brief period between the Sugar Bowl and the Super Bowl. At least, that’s the way I remember it. Until this
What an Arctic Blast Can Teach Us Read More »
On Valentine’s Day, what could possibly be more romantic than flowers, chocolate…and life insurance? On second thought, let’s reserve February 14 for sweet notes, roses, and intimate dinners. Do the life insurance part on February 13 (or save it till the 15th). But definitely do it. Here’s why… Life insurance is love assurance. It demonstrates
In my first meeting with a new client, we typically do what I call a “data dump.” They bring all their financial information and dump it (sometimes literally) on my desk. Right now, I’m thinking of a particular young couple. They owned a business and had two young children at home. They were busy folks!
Is Your Most Valuable Asset Protected? Read More »
In one sense, Laura and Sally didn’t sneak up on anyone. Meteorologists helped us track both hurricanes from their births deep in the warm Atlantic waters to their tempestuous tromps through coastal cities and towns. Laura devastated Lake Charles as she worked her way up the western side of south Louisiana. As I write this,
Are You Ready for the Next Storm? Read More »
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