At Christmas we focus on giving. The next day, we turn our attention to time. We review the year that’s ending and preview the year just ahead. So, how about some year-end (and year-beginning) reminders about giving and time? 1. You can give time to your money. What do I mean? We have this amazing […]
Christmas Thoughts on Giving, Money, and Time Read More »
In my financial planning practice, I meet with a lot of “Type A” entrepreneurs. Their number one question? “Couldn’t I be doing better with my money?” I always have to smile. These driven individuals are used to optimizing everything they touch—or at least trying to. If they have three rental properties today, they want to
What Airplanes Can Teach Us About Money Read More »
It was a 10k race, but at the 9k mark, I was gasping for air. My lungs were on fire. My legs were screaming at me to quit. Except that I had only one more hill to go. If I could climb it—honestly, it looked like Everest—I’d be close to the final turn where the
When the Finish Line Gets Moved Read More »
In my last column we looked at the difference between affluence and wealth. My simple definition of affluence is “your income relative to everyone else’s.” If you make $36,000, you qualify as an average Joe – you’re right in the middle of the income numbers for the rest of the country. However, someone making $36,000
6 Essentials for a Life of Wealth Read More »
“We’re gonna be rich!” Don bellowed as he beat his fist against the steering wheel. He drove a white Lincoln Continental with burgundy leather interior. It was longer than most living rooms and at that moment was lumbering down I-55 from St. Louis to Jackson, MS. The windows were down and his heart was full.
Who is Really Rich – the Affluent or the Wealthy? Read More »
“I wish I had all the money I’ve paid into Social Security. I’d be rich.” Over the years, I’ve had one or two (hundred) folks say something like that to me. Recently I got so curious, I decided to run the numbers. On myself. (By the way, did you know you can go to the
About that Money You’ve Been Paying Social Security Read More »
What exactly do you want out of retirement? (I ask because when it comes to this topic most folks focus mostly on tools—pensions, 401(k) plans, Social Security, etc. Only a few think about goals.) Many answer by saying they want be able to sleep till 10 or not have to dress up every day. I
Goldilocks and the Three Retirements Read More »
“Money can’t buy happiness…but it can buy cows. And cows make milk, and milk makes ice cream, and ice cream makes you happy.” This is the sort of wisdom you pick up in a Colorado bookshop while on vacation. Maybe it was the thinner air, but after I chuckled, I thought, “Wait a minute…that’s really
What If Money CAN Buy Happiness? Read More »
Clients often ask, “Do I need to budget?” When I reply, “Maybe, maybe not,” they look at me like I’m a weight loss guru who just offered them a cheese Danish. “Wait—you’re a financial planner! Aren’t you supposed to tell me to budget?” My experience is that only about 10% of my clients budget. And
The Surprising Truth About Budgeting Read More »
When the iconic Mission Impossible music starts blaring, we all know what’s coming. A fuse has just been lit! The clock is ticking! It’s up to Ethan Hunt (played perfectly by Tom Cruise) and his talented team of spies to save the day again (they’ve done it six times so far). They’ve got two hours,
Tom Cruise and Your Financial Future Read More »
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