Let's face it. We all dream about it from time to time. If you were in the enviable position of having no debts (or just a mortgage), a big cushion of cash reserves, and have maxed out your retirement savings, what would you do with leftover money each month? Or how would you handle a lump sum like a tax refund, bonus, or inheritance? Where do I invest when I have "enough"? In a prior blog post I ... Read More
The Money Road Map
2018 Car Buying Trends and Tips
As we approach President's Day, you may be thinking about buying or leasing a new car. President's Day weekend is traditionally considered a good time to get a deal on a car. Before you go shopping you should be prepared. Here are some 2018 car buying trends and tips to consider from a recent post in WalletHub by senior writer John Kiernan where I was recently quoted. On a scale of 1 (an ... Read More
Six Money Tips: How to Prep Your Money for Year-End
(Yep, it’s almost here). With only a few weeks left in 2017, it’ll soon be time to hang stockings, light Menorahs, and figure out your party plans and resolutions for New Year’s Eve. However, if you want to try to reduce your tax liability or improve your bottom line for 2018, time is running out. Here’s how to prep your money for year-end with these six money tips to help you close out the ... Read More
Data Breach: How Much Is Your Stolen Identity Worth?
By now you’ve heard about Equifax’s massive data breach and the 143 million stolen identities. You've probably read a few of the 55,000 articles written. While this is the largest reported data breach, this is not the first (remember medical insurer Anthem?). And unfortunately, it will not likely be the last. We know about class action lawsuits and what the cost to firms can be when they report a ... Read More
Football Season: How Do Players Make Their Money Last?
We're in the middle of another football season (and watching the Patriots can sometimes be painful). Do you ever wonder how do players make their money last? We always hear stories about players getting huge salaries with mega payouts. And of course, we hear about the 10,000 square foot houses, fancy cars, and anaconda skin-wrapped couches. (Who doesn’t love a cushy anaconda-skin couch?) But ... Read More
End of Year Financial Checklist: 6 Steps to Get Prepared
It’s Almost the End of Year. Here’s Your Financial Checklist with 6 Steps to Get Prepared. Sadly, summer is behind us (unless you live below the equator). And with school and after-school activities in full swing and holidays approaching, the last thing you probably want to think about right now is finances. You’d probably rather be hanging out in flip flops as long as you can. But by taking ... Read More
How Much Should You Have at Your Age? This Could Hurt
How much money should you have at your age? (This could hurt) People don’t often talk about how much money they have. It’s just not something that’s shared during dinner conversations or at lunch with co-workers. So, it’s really hard to know how well you’re doing because there’s no benchmark. Also, everyone makes and spends different amounts, so it’s hard to compare. But many people want ... Read More
How to Buy a Home and Secure Your Financial Future at the Same Time
Too often people make life-changing money moves without considering the Big Picture. One of the biggest money moves for any family is buying a home or investment property. If you really want to secure your financial future, owning real estate can help. Buy you'll need to have a plan. Instead of just visiting Open Houses or scrolling through online listings, you need to have a team working with you ... Read More
End of QE Part 2: Weathering the Storm
Like any great voyage, eventually it comes to an end and you have to move on to what's next. Quantitative easing also known as QE2 is Fed-speak for the Central Bank's program of injecting liquidity into the economy by buying up mortgage bonds to the tune of $85 billion each month. This has done wonders at keeping interest rates down and stock prices up. But what happens when it ends? How are ... Read More
Weak US Dollar Impact for Investors
What does a weak US dollar imply for our economy and how should investors position themselves? Weak is a relative term when it comes to the economy. Reading the tea leaves can provide some insight about what to expect in the near term and how investors need to respond. Setting aside political views about whether it is a good or bad thing to have a "weak" currency, let's take a look at what's ... Read More
