Can you afford a family pet?

I love dogs, especially Golden Retrievers. I have always had a Golden in my life. I had Max, Toby, Jake, Clyde, Bow, Gussie and now Cali. I got Bow when I was in college and Gussie a few years later. Each dog lived to the age of 13, and each passed away when I had […]

Setting Your Sweat Budget

How much should you spend on health and fitness?  The answer to this question depends on you, your financial resources and how important spending in this category is for your happiness. For me, doing healthy activities is a priority and this goes a long way helping me achieve balance and happiness in my life. As […]

YEAR OF THE MONKEY 2016- ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN

Do not waste your time planning out every detail of your life this year! The influence of the Monkey puts everything into flux. The Monkey is witty, intelligent, fast-moving and interested in new discoveries. This is a sharp contrast to the peace, tranquility and harmony of the Year of the Sheep to which we say […]

Smart Frugality

With the holidays approaching and spending about to ramp up, at least for most people, there are ways for you to reign in holiday expenses and save some big money. With Craigslist, eBay, Nextdoor, and innumerable online consignment sites, you do not have to sacrifice quality to save money. I do not like to spend […]

Credit Cards: Friend or Foe

With today’s perks, credit cards can help you earn free flights, hotel stays, gift cards and give you actual cash back. The average cardholder has 3.7 cards in their wallet and carries a balance of over $4,800. Racking up credit card debt can be like putting on holiday pounds; it is quick and can be […]

Simple Personal Finance

Money is a heated subject matter. It can bring up feelings of shame, regret, anxiety and even guilt. If you feel any of these, you need to reframe how you see money and start to view it as a tool to get you to where you want to go. Instead of putting or keeping your […]

The $35 Spin Class

It sounds ridiculous to pay $35 for a 45 minute spin class, right? It is hard to financial justify spending this kind of money when I can go for a bike ride for free. However, does this expense pass my Index Card Test? What is an Index Card Test? In my purse I carry an […]

Money Management On The Go

Five easy steps to On-the-Go Money Management for families that want to know where their money is going.

How to Spend Less this Summer

By summertime, the financial stress of tax time is most likely a distant memory. Summertime usually means vacation, time off from work, and more opportunities for overall discretionary spending. As a financial planner trying to help some of my clients curb the urge to spend on “frivolous” stuff, this time of year can make me […]