A Special Thanksgiving Message
Thanksgiving. A time to gather with family and friends to enjoy each other’s company, officially begin the holiday season, a day to fill our bellies with delicious food, and a day to spend with our [...]
Are You Average? Above Average? Or Below Average?
Strange things are afoot in the world. Prices are going up, and paychecks are not; yet, we seem to complain instead of looking for solutions that offer us financial freedom. Financial freedom, in fact, [...]
Can I Afford To Settle My Credit Card Debt?
Pause for a second and ask, “What does that mean – Can I afford to settle my credit card debt?” Of course, you know it’s a mistake to carry credit card debt and pay [...]
I’m Paying My Credit Card Bills Every Month – What’s The Issue?
In case you’re not in the mood to read this entire blog, I’ll reduce the answer to two words – “Your Future!” In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye sings, “If I were a rich [...]
God Save The Queen… And Privacy
This week the world buried Queen Elizabeth. The whole world watched, yet she is no different than you and I; just as she has died, none of us will get out of this alive. [...]
Trust Me, You Need A Will And Trust
Money just doesn't go as far as it used to. Gas is too expensive, groceries too expensive... dying... too expensive. When we die, we understand that our assets will be passed on to our [...]
Why Do I Need That?
A friend of mine asked me the other day, "Why do I need an estate plan? Everything I own has a beneficiary designation on it." I looked at him and said, "Your beneficiary designation [...]
September Morn . . .
It seems like yesterday . . . the sadness I felt at the end of the summer recess, coupled with some excitement for the start of the new school year. For me, the sadness [...]
Chapter 13 – Expanded Eligibility
In June, the president signed into law new bankruptcy legislation that expanded and simplified eligibility for Chapter 13 bankruptcy by changing and increasing the debt limits. In the bankruptcy world, this is incredible news, [...]
Financial Freedom: Just One Horse Away
The recession is coming.. the recession is coming!!! Can you all hear that? A vision of Paul Revere on horseback warning the people should be running through your head. If you watch the news, [...]
Oh, If I Could Just Do It All Over Again
Have you said these words? I have – and I know you have. Inevitably, it means you made a mistake and would like a redo. We all say it, but we know there are [...]
We Must Do Better
Heroes come in many forms . . . This Memorial Holiday weekend, we give thanks to those who sacrificed their lives so that we can be free. Memorial Day is all about honoring those [...]
Why You Need An Estate Plan
This is a simple question, and the answer is a stark reality. Your future, like it or not, includes illness and, ultimately, death. You need an Estate Plan to address both contingencies. If you’re [...]
Your Estate Plan Is Probably Out Of Date
Oh, come on. Redoing an estate plan sounds about as exciting as purchasing tires! Well, it just so happens that tires are a perfect analogy. It is not fun to buy tires; it is [...]
There’s Hard Work And Then There’s B.S.
Check out his headline from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from Wednesday: CFPB Finds Credit Card Companies Charged $12 Billion in Late Fee Penalties in 2020 Largest credit card issuers expected to hike fees [...]
The Rear View Mirror And My New Year’s Resolution
As I backed down my driveway today, I glanced down to look at my back up camera and then for some reason, I glanced up at the rearview mirror. I thought isn’t it funny [...]
Debt Collection And Social Media
Debt collection has arrived to the 21st century. It was bad enough when you were behind on your bills and debt collectors were calling you day and night; now, they have technology on their side. [...]
Don’t Keep It In Perspective
Perspective - an interesting word. As I watched the news this week, the stories of human tragedy moved me to tears. Children killing children in school in Oxford, two women and a police officer [...]
Insist Upon Character and Eliminate Procrastination
I always reflect during the holidays. While I often assess – the holidays are a time where I look at where we stand as a nation and do a self-assessment as to personal and [...]
Stress, Financial Crisis, Garbage Cans, and Let the Sunshine In
The father of a friend of mine passed away. His father was a wonderful guy, but organization was not his thing. My friend was stressed over his death and went into panic mode - [...]
Snowflakes and Credit Card Debt
I’m anticipating our first blast of snow for the season. Can you guess the relationship between snowflakes and credit card debt? Think about the first few flakes that fall. They are inconsequential. Soft fluffy [...]
Should I Guaranty My Child’s Or Grandchild’s Student Loan?
I hear the question all the time -- is it okay to co-sign or guaranty a student loan for my child or grandchild? It's a common issue, just read this quote from the Wall [...]
Sorry To Tell You…But Your Estate Plan Is Probably Out Of Date!
Oh, come on. Redoing my estate plan sounds about as exciting as purchasing tires! Well, it just happens that tires are a perfect analogy. No one wants to buy tires; it is a necessity [...]
Don’t Make It Harder Than It Already Is
You have to make this call: “Hello Cable Company, I’m calling for on my father’s account. He’s 85 years old and I just received his bill and see you have charged him $29.00 for [...]
Why You Need An Estate Plan
This is a simple question, and the answer is a stark reality. Your future – like it or not – includes illness and, ultimately, death. You need an estate plan to address both contingencies. [...]