How I Changed My Spending After Quitting My Job

It’s strange going from earning more money than I thought I would ever make to not only not earning an income, but paying for the privilege to work.  I quit my job a little more than six months ago and started my own company. I’ve been fascinated by how my spending has shifted, but more … Read more

5 Personal Finance Opinions People May Not Agree With

Do you ever experience an acquaintance who says something so confidently it feels like it must be true?  It usually goes something like, “Oh, you must absolutely do…” and then they finish with something that sounds logical.  Then, you think, “Wait, I’m not doing that. I should probably do that now.”  That exists in personal … Read more

Should I Buy or Lease a Car?

Lease or buy?  It’s a common question. Many people understand buying a car.  You negotiate the sale price, pay cash or finance the car, and you are on your way. At the end of the financing, you own the car.  Fewer people understand leasing a car.  You get more jargon and ways to hide the … Read more

Should I Pay Cash for a Car?

Should I Pay Cash for a Car? It’s a classic question – “Should I pay cash for a car?”  For those with the resources, the appeal of owning a car outright is strong. No car payment. You get the title. No annoying bank to deal with now or in the future.  However, for some people, … Read more

Should I Buy A New Or Used Car?

I love the question of “should I buy a new or used car?” because it’s such a controversial question in the personal finance space.  People swear by only buying used cars. Others swear by buying new cars.  Like most personal finance decisions, the answer is not cut and dry.  Some people may be better off … Read more

I Quit My Job

I quit my job.  Yesterday was my last day as a financial planner with my prior employer.  I’m one of those odd millennials – not because I quit my job, but because I was there for 10 years. It’s the only full-time job I’ve had.  I started as an intern in 2011, worked part-time in … Read more

Please Spend Lavishly

Please spend lavishly on what you love. Seriously, buy the better quality item. Splurge on that once in a lifetime experience. Go a little overboard on a self-care day or date night.  What is that one thing you have yearned to buy, but haven’t?  Is it the type of item or experience that lights up … Read more

5 Common Money Mistakes

Think about the various money mistakes you have made and then ask yourself, “What was the biggest money mistake and why?”  We all make money mistakes.  We are human – there is no way to avoid it entirely; however, there are steps you can take to minimize what money mishaps you make and how frequently … Read more

What is a 529 Plan and How to Use It

Saving for college is no easy task. According to US News, the average tuition and fees for 2020-2021 is: $9,687 for public, in-state, $21,184 for public, out-of-state $35,087 for private This does not include housing, food, or books.  With the rising cost of tuition, there is about $1.6 trillion in federal and private student loan … Read more

How to Create Great Goals for 2021

Did you have goals for 2020? Were you able to achieve them?  Most years, I set goals for the new year in late December or January. Although I am a proponent of setting goals when you want to change something and working towards it, there is something about the beginning of a new year to … Read more