Financial Planning

Yikes! Making decisions about money can be very overwhelming. So often, a financial choice pops up and it seems impossible to even know where to start to learn about the topic. How much to spend on housing? Short-cuts to save money? How to get my tax refund? Invest my money or leave it to...

Financial to-dos take a while to carry out, and they are often mentally challenging too. I like to pick one “to-do” at a time to work on. With kids back-to-school and the tree leaves starting to rustle with dryness, now is a great time to set your financial to-do project.Which of the following is a...

You can teach something, but the doing is different. I’ve done workshops on choosing housing options as we age. I’ve even helped create a website about it! But I viewed the process through a different lens when recently helping my parents choose a continuing care retirement community.A continuing...

As the April 15 tax deadline has just passed, most people have filed their income tax returns. What are you planning to do with your tax refund or how are you planning to pay any tax amount due? Knowing what to expect when filing your taxes can help you plan what decisions to make next. If you...

Every year people gather up all their tax documents, organize them and then think about their options: do their income tax filing themselves, pay someone else do it, or find another option! Let’s explore these options. Should I pay someone else or file my taxes by myself? Many people can do their...

With the start of a new year, you should take some time to think about your financial wellness in addition to your overall health. Do you feel like you are in a good place financially? If you are not happy with your current financial situation, how could you change things this year to get on the...

Should I pay extra on my student loan or invest in a Roth IRA? Build up an emergency savings fund or pay off my credit card debt? Pay off my mortgage or put more money in my 401(k) retirement plan? In one form or another, the trending question lately has been, "Is it better to pay down debt or...

The clock is ticking on organizing your student loan repayment. After several years of pause, federal student loan payments are due, as of October 2023. Interest accrual is back in full force. Other changes may affect you too! Take time to check if you benefit from: The SAVE (...

When I faced a major life decision of deciding whether or not to retire, looking at my financial situation was a big factor in the decision. I estimated what my future expenses would be and compared those against my expected income. I did a net worth statement, which forced me to...