Financial Regulations Protect Consumers–Sometimes
The financial services field is one of the most regulated in the United States. I'm told that our regulations are as complex as those in the medical field. This makes sense; our health and our money...
Digging Yourself Out When You’re Financially Stuck
Last week's column on being financially stuck focused on getting help. But what if, for various reasons like affordability or availability, outside help isn't a practical option? There are some...
Asking For Help When You’re Financially Stuck
What do you do as a driver if your car gets stuck in the mud or a snowbank? You probably try shoveling, rocking the car back and forth, or putting something under the wheels. Sometimes, though, you...
55 Companies Pay No Taxes–And There Is A Reason
A tweet by President Biden on October 20, 2021, got my attention: "Here's the deal: If you spent $3 on your coffee this morning, that's more than what 55 major corporations paid in taxes in recent...
Conscious Bequests: Inheritances That Help, Not Harm
One of the biggest conundrums of estate planning is considering how, or even if, you can give money or property to your heirs in a manner that will help them. How can leaving money to someone not be...
Finding a Financial Life Planner
The difference between a traditional financial planner and one that practices financial life planning is significant. The former focuses on the dollars and cents of making good financial decisions,...
Financial Planning Wisdom From Nazrudin Project
One of the most influential financial planning organizations I participate in doesn't officially exist. The Nazrudin Project is an eclectic, holistic group of financial life planners, therapists,...
Are South Dakota Trusts Immoral “Tax Havens”?
South Dakota has certainly been in the news recently. Coverage of the leaked "Pandora Papers" included headlines like "How South Dakota became a global tax haven," "South Dakota Is a Moral Sewer and...
Look Beyond Alarming Social Security Headlines
If you are in your 50s or 60s, you may have reacted with concern to the numerous recent news reports about the August 31, 2021, annual report from the Social Security Board of Trustees on the...
Fearing The Money May Run Out: Money Vigilance
The fourth and final category of Money Scripts in this series is Money Vigilance. Those with Money Vigilance scripts tend to be watchful and guarded about their finances. They will commonly have...
Self-Worth and Net Worth: Status Money Scripts
For the third in this series of columns on money script categories, let's look at Money Status. This differs from the Money Worship category in having its focus on social acceptance. People in this...
Wishing For The Midas Touch? Exploring Money Worship
In the second of this four-part series on money scripts, let's explore the category that Dr. Brad Klontz calls Money Worship. Unless you have always envied the mythical "golden touch" of King Midas,...