The traditional concept of working a 9-5 job for approximately forty years until retirement is slowly losing its status as the standard way of living. Many workers are seeking time freedom, early retirement, flexible and remote working conditions, and ultimately, they want their money to work for them (not the other way around). If you want to step outside (or even just supplement) the traditional employment framework, discover our tips for obtaining a side hustle and creating multiple income streams.
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 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 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 MoreThe first step in building personal wealth is to understand our beliefs and values surrounding money. We can know all the best tips and tricks to implement, but if we don’t first believe we can build wealth, we won’t succeed. This positive mindset allows us to take on the challenge of wealth-building and surpass our wildest financial dreams.
We also need to understand that money is a tool. Money should never be a goal in and of itself, but rather a means to accomplish our ultimate dreams.
With all this being said, you’ll want to look out for these common stumbling blocks that can get in the way of personal wealth building. We want to dive into five financial mistakes that we often see so you can be on your way to building the life you always dreamed.
Read MoreWhat do you want to be different in the new year? Or, as it should be asked, “What habits do you want to change?”
Do you see what I did there? I think without me even explaining the reason I altered the question, your intuition probably knows why.
Approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail… by February!
Do you ever wonder why New Year’s resolutions fail? Why is it so hard to make a change you know is good? Part of understanding why resolutions fail is learning a little bit about habits.
Read MoreOwning a small business is exciting, fulfilling, and quite a wild adventure. From deciding how you structure your business to how you handle employee onboarding, there’s a lot to consider. One of those considerations: taxes. Filing your taxes may not be a business task you particularly enjoy, but it’s important nonetheless.
Of course, it’s critical to file your taxes correctly so you remain in the good graces of the IRS. But perhaps more appealingly, filing your taxes can even help you maximize your profits.
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.
The sun is shining, the pool is refreshing, and you’re (hopefully) taking time to relax and enjoy your friends and family.
It seems unnatural to be thinking about reindeer, stockings, and cold weather. However, we all know the dreaded feeling we get when we put off Christmas planning until November. If you start budgeting now, you’ll have the time to be intentional with your finances and relieve that end-of-year stress.
Read MoreAs the old adage goes, “you need to spend money to make money.” But how do you know if you’re making the right decisions with your business spending?
Understanding expenses vs. investments is key. It’s important to be intentional about your business to keep your expenses from spinning out of control, but it’s also necessary to know when your business needs an infusion of capital to make meaningful strides forward. Keep reading to learn the 3 questions you should ask before every investment.
Read MorePlanning for college costs in advance can reap tremendous benefits for your child. Instead of having an average of $28,950 in student loans to tackle when they graduate, they can put their money to work for their futures. Without college debt they can use the money they earn to start investing in their retirements, continued education, or even begin saving for a home.
If you’re interested in how to avoid college debt and want to make sure your child isn’t one of the 43 million Americans with student loan debt, read on to find out what you can do to help!
Read MoreWhen you first set out as an entrepreneur, being your company’s chief financial officer (CFO) may not have been top of mind. But even if you’re not a numbers person, have no fear!
We’re here to help you avoid common small business money mistakes — and figure out what to do if you’ve already made them.
Read MoreAs a small business owner, you know the pressure to succeed can be… heavy. And because no one else can take responsibility for your business, that burden can feel both overwhelming and isolating — especially when you depend on your business to support your family and your livelihood.
I get it! With so much on the line, it can be easy to let fear take over when it comes time to make important business decisions. But ironically, this fear can actually prevent you from reaching the success you so desire.
As it turns out, there’s a name for this sense of fear in the world of business and finance: loss aversion. Keep reading to learn 4 ways to prevent it.
Read MoreMaybe you’ve gotten the hang of planning for your monthly business expenses. Your internet bill, monthly subscriptions, and software all have a place in your budget. And each month, you pay the bills on time. You’re feeling good! You’re a business owner, and you’re taking care of business.
But then, all of a sudden, another expense shows up. The yearly fee for your website. The cost to renew your LLC. After years of reliable companionship, your computer finally breaks down.
Unlike your fixed monthly costs, these expenses don’t have a spot in your budget. They don’t have a pile of money with their name on it, waiting to be spent. So how do you efficiently plan for them?
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 MoreWhen you want to reach a specific goal in other areas of life—like running a marathon or starting a business—it’s common to consult a coach. A coach can help you take a huge goal and break it down into doable steps, all while cheering you on and celebrating your progress.
A financial coach can do the same for those financial goals you’ve been struggling with. Sometimes all it takes is getting some help to show you how successful you can be. If you’re ready to see success in your financial life, working with a financial coach might be the perfect first step.
Read on to see if a financial coach might be what you need to skyrocket your success and reach your goals sooner.
Read More