The 20,000 Foot View of Financial Planning

Financial planning is meant to help you begin with the end in mind with regard to your personal finances. Some people think (erroneously!) that financial planning is like an emergency service – in other words, it isn’t “just” for people experiencing financial turmoil. And it’s not “just” for people who want investment guidance. It’s a…

Details

Do You Need Personal Finance Software?

Personal finance software helps people better control their finances, make informed decisions, and work toward financial goals. But rather than start using an app or software just for the sake of using it, what if you approached it with the end in mind? What should you be getting out of your personal finance software? Even…

Details

Should You Pay Off Your Spouse’s Debt?

If your spouse brings debt into your relationship, should you help them pay it off? Or even, should you pay it off entirely?  When it comes to personal finance and relationships, deciding whether to help your spouse with their debt can be a bit of a puzzle (and they might not even WANT that help!). …

Details

Your Risk Tolerance

Risk tolerance is an extremely misunderstood element of finance. In fact, I personally believe that if we received adequate education about investing early on, the question of personal risk tolerance would become inconsequential because people would be investing based on appropriate parameters versus fear.  I put this question to my planners – what do you…

Details

Do You *Deserve* To Have More Money?

One thing that comes up when you work with people and money is that sometimes people think they don’t deserve to have all of the money they want. This might extend to other areas of life, such as denying yourself pleasure or enjoyment or putting others ahead of your own needs. When you DO feel…

Details

Small Effort, Big Results

What is one thing people could do for their money that takes a relatively small effort but has big results? Here’s what our planners said: Joann Nieciecki: ‘Embracing my inner planner here, but planning ahead for big-ticket items like vacations or new cars. Mapping out the upcoming few years truly brings clarity to how a new…

Details

The Money Saving Brainstorm

Recently, I have noticed a trend with my clients: I am issuing challenges with saving money. This happens because I see how much they are making and what monthly ballpark expenses are, so it would make sense if they could save $X each month. Why not try? Sometimes they can, sometimes they can’t—but that’s good…

Details