March 31, 2021

We’re coming up to 25 years since I started our financial planning practice. Over those years I’ve offered advice to clients about their finances, as well as counsel on a multitude of finance-related (and often some very un-related) subjects. As I think back to many of those conversations, I realize how often I used the word “NO.”

March 31, 2021

From Emily Barone at TIME Magazine¹, “It was a year ago that the COVID-19 pandemic seized control of our lives. While essential workers remained on the job, the rest of America, confined to quarters, tried to come to terms with a life on pause. Working, learning, and passing the time almost entirely from home meant changes in habits, health, relationships, and plans for the future. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, of course, but these at least describe the contours of the lives we lived.”

March 31, 2021

A client recently shared a blog post from the blogging website Wait But Why (https://waitbutwhy.com/) that we would like to share with you. While it only takes a few minutes to scroll through, it has the potential to leave you pondering. To make the post more meaningful, substitute your age for the age of the author. Do the math on how many of ‘whatever’ you have left.

February 15, 2021

While distant memory sometimes eludes me, I vividly recall back to my college days when getting a shot related to an alcoholic beverage. My, my, my, how times have changed.

If you’re a senior citizen, or any other kind of citizen for that matter, talking about a shot today only has one meaning: the COVID vaccine . “Did you get the shot?” “Have you signed up for the shot?” “Are they giving the shot near you?” “Do you know anyone who got the shot?” “How can I get the shot?”

February 15, 2021

Just like there’s no universal savings amount that everyone should reach to secure their retirement (“What’s my number?”), neither is there a universal retirement age for everyone. The fact that your friends are all retired doesn’t mean it’s the right decision for you, and vice versa if none of them are retired but you think it’s your time.

February 15, 2021

Whenever someone used to try a new task that didn’t turn out well, the line used against him/her was “Don’t quit your day job.” If your neighbor saw you do a house repair that didn’t go well: “Don’t quit your day job.” Fail to properly change the oil in your car: “Don’t quit your day job.” The point, obviously, was to continue doing the job that someone is paying you to do because you weren’t going to make a dime doing anything else. 

December 31, 2020

I am incredibly grateful that none of my immediate family has been infected by the coronavirus because so many families have lost so much.  Because of that, I try not to use the word ‘loss’ when speaking or writing about the coronavirus, but there certainly are things I miss.

December 31, 2020

While we all hope that 2020 is one and done, never to be repeated, we would be remiss if we fail to heed the lessons learned from what we’ve all been through (and continue to endure). In no specific order of importance, here are a few to ponder.

December 31, 2020

AARP Bulletin¹ published several steps we can all take to protect ourselves from fraud in 2021. (Considering we’re referencing AARP, you may be amused by one of their tips.)

November 15, 2020

As many long-time clients will attest, I tend to share lessons I learn in life through this column. Some lessons may apply to more readers than others, but I always hope there is some value to at least a few of you. In this instance, I think I learned something that has the potential to benefit everyone. While that may be a bold statement, hear me out.