In the 1960s, going to the dentist meant a little white spittoon by the dental chair and a whole lot of pain. Our dentist at the time—I’ll call him Dr. Hurt—thought only sissies needed anesthesia for a “little thing” like drilling and filling a cavity. Translation? Going to see Dr. Hurt was stressful! One day […]
Smart Plans vs. Plans That “Smart” Read More »
I had hip surgery last week. Man, did that ever hurt! Beforehand, I researched the procedure, the surgeon, the health facility, and the outcomes of others who’d had the same surgery. What I didn’t focus on is the grueling rehab patients have to do after surgery. I didn’t think to ask, “How much pain will I
What Pain Can Do for Us Read More »
A lot of people use the term “financial plan” to refer to “a savings and investment plan.” I always wince. I’ve yet to meet someone who says, “My life goal is to save and invest money.” What people tell me is, “I want to save and invest money so that one day I can …”
The Problem with Most Financial Plans Read More »
One of the common questions I get from new clients is, “How am I doing financially . . . compared to everyone else in my situation?” Something in us loves to compare—and do whatever “everyone else is doing.” When it comes to finances, this is rarely wise: Right now, some 2 million homeowners are three
Why It’s Bad to “Fit In” Financially 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 »
Over the last ten years I’ve lost about 100 pounds. Okay, it’s actually the same ten pounds, gained and lost ten times. Blame it on the holidays, I guess. Sweet people sending me sweets. My wife’s deadly—the good kind of deadly—pecan pie. Hey, I’m not complaining. I love all that delicious stuff. But New Year’s
A Tale of Two Diets Read More »
I have no idea how many dieting books, fitness club memberships or getting-organized supplies are sold during the weeks just before and just after New Year’s Day…but I suspect it’s a big number. Something about a new year suggests a clean slate – a fresh opportunity to do it again, only this time get it
Don’t Regret Those Resolutions … Focus on Habits More Than Goals Read More »
We’ve all got them. People in our lives who live in a chronic state of financial mess. When it comes to money, they habitually make poor choices. There’s the friend who overspends. Despite his big salary, he’s got even bigger debt. There’s the parent who under-saves. The sibling who comes to you annually for “just
About that Financially Irresponsible Person in Your Life 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 »
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