Renovating your home can be an exciting yet daunting task. Should you channel your inner HGTV star and tackle it yourself, or is it wiser to call in the cavalry of seasoned professionals? Whether you’re eyeing a kitchen overhaul or just sprucing up the bathroom, making the right choice can save you time, money, and a heap of frustration.
Read MoreEven with the current economy of rising prices, high inflation, and feeling like our dollar isn’t going as far as it used to, Americans are still planning to spend lavishly on holiday shopping, with figures surpassing pre-pandemic levels. And even though they may be more discerning in their gift buying with higher prices and less purchasing power, almost 40% of consumers plan on spending more than they did last year.
Whether you plan on spending as much or more than you have in previous years or stick to a tight budget, minimizing your stress and maximizing your finances can be at the top of your priority list.
Read MoreIf you’ve never created a budget before and have no idea where to start, it can feel overwhelming and to be perfectly honest, not much fun. However, helping our clients create their very first budget is one of our favorite tasks because we know budgeting is the launching point of an organized and intentional financial life.
While a budget is not a cure-all for all the financial woes you may be experiencing — in fact, most Americans do have a budget and still struggle with overspending — it’s still helpful to craft and utilize.
Read MoreDebt can be a necessary tool that allows us to accomplish major dreams like getting a college education, starting a business, funding our first car, or purchasing a home. However, some consumer debts, like credit cards and personal loans, are sometimes the result of poor financial discipline and planning.
If you’re struggling with lingering debt and want to know how to get out of debt quickly so you can move on to bigger and better things, we've got you covered!
As a nation, we are very generous with one of our most precious resources: money. In 2020 alone, Americans gave $471 billion to charities. And with over 1.54 million charitable organizations (in our country alone) to choose from, it’s not hard to find a worthy cause.
Many small businesses also encourage their employees to give their time and talents by volunteering locally. Small businesses often give more than their big business counterparts— 75% of small business owners give approximately 6% of their profits to charities every year.
Our lives are built upon a series of moments. Some are beautiful, while others are painful. Some are carefully planned, while others catch us off guard. Some are etched in our memories, while others fade away. However, what often ties these moments together is the inevitable financial impact they bring along.
Whether you’re currently planning for or eagerly anticipating certain moments in your life—even if their dates or timelines are uncertain or distant—it’s worthwhile to consider the financial implications.
Read MoreAs parents, we want to provide the absolute best for our children. We want to give them every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive, especially when living under our roofs.
We want to give them a curated, challenging education, a joyful childhood, encouraging friendships, engaging experiences, and a solid financial foundation for their future.
However, as much as we want to give them the world, we also need to be responsible for our own financial goals and futures that can be a delicate balancing act. How do we help them understand that our “no” today is allowing us to say “yes” to bigger, more meaningful things in the future?
Read MoreWhen you receive a refund, it can be tempting to blow that money on anything that strikes your fancy. But what if you were able to use that refund to further your financial goals? In that case, you may want to think about the best ways to use your refund wisely, for your personal goals.
Read MoreThere are many differences between men and women, particularly when it comes to physical, behavioral, and emotional characteristics.
Men are typically taller, stronger, and have more muscle mass than women, while women are typically more nurturing and empathetic. Men tend to categorize the world by tasks and keep their emotions under wrap, while women tend to categorize life by relationships and openly share their feelings.
Each gender has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to understand how these differences can lead men and women to approach certain topics, like personal finance, in unique ways. As women, this allows us to capitalize on our strengths and natural skills.
Personal finance for women is one of our favorite topics to talk about, so let’s dive into some areas where women approach money differently and three financial obstacles they must overcome!
Read MoreA common misconception is that if only we earned more money, we would have a comfortable lifestyle, financial security, and the ability to afford all the luxuries we could possibly imagine. We would be happy and healthy and certainly not be living paycheck to paycheck.
According to the paycheck-to-paycheck report from September 2022, approximately 45% of Americans earning over $100,000 say they live paycheck to paycheck. While approximately 47% of those making between $150,000 and $200,000 and 28% of those earning over $200,000 also report living paycheck to paycheck.
It would seem that getting ahead financially is not simply a numbers game…. “earn more money and everything will be okay.”
Read MoreWhen it comes to intimate relationships, money is often considered a topic to be avoided at all costs. We always think we should stay away from the subject for fear that it might put others off. Why bring up something that could make someone uncomfortable? Why bring up something so serious?
One of the top-cited reasons for divorce and breakups is financial differences or arguments about money.
Read MoreIt’s been a tough couple of years. Maybe you’re still facing long-term financial consequences from the pandemic. Maybe you relocated and are still figuring out your new city. Maybe your finances have you up at night because your investment portfolio is looking scarce these days.
Whatever you experienced this year or are currently facing, I hope you’re able to spend some time this season reflecting on the good. It can be hard to find the good - both personally and on a national level. But I promise you - there’s still some good out there.
No matter the intention, getting unwanted advice on hot financial topics can be bothersome. As a small business owner, you’ve worked hard to build and manage a business you’re proud of — and with the success you’ve seen, you must be doing something right.
But your well-meaning family can’t always help giving their two cents about what financial moves you should make — whether in your business or your personal life.
You’ve heard it before, and you may hear it again…
Read MoreKids are notorious for misunderstanding money. To them money is always available and everything they see around them is fair game for mommy to buy! There is a good reason for this.
The mind of a child in the earliest years is primarily formed through the process of observation. Everything they see and hear helps them to form their understanding of the world. Take a second to think about what this means to most children…
Read MoreNow that you’re married, date nights are more important than when you were dating. This post breaks down budget-friendly date ideas for you and your spouse.
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