“Mom and pop shop.” This common term for a small family-owned business makes it sound like a cozy little operation where the owners live and work harmoniously together to make their shared dream come true. The reality, for couples who are both personal and...
Someone recently asked if I knew of a CPA that was trained as a financial therapist. I admitted I didn’t. I even chuckled at the peculiar combination—until I realized it’s probably just as peculiar for an investment-loving CFP like me to be trained in financial...
One of my retired clients is fond of telling me, “Growing old is not for the faint of heart.” As we age, it becomes increasingly important for us to have a support system that will advocate for us, or “have our back.” Putting such a support...
“There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” my Grandpa once told me. The adage suggesting you can’t get something for nothing seems to have bitten millions of unwitting investors who used a popular trading platform. This summer, my 19-year-old son...
For many Americans, one painful lesson of 2020 has been a first-hand demonstration of the importance of having an emergency fund. Yet knowing such a reserve matters is a far cry from creating one. According to BankRate, 72% of Americans don’t have an emergency fund...
“What do you do for a living?” is a common question when we’re introduced to someone new. If there’s no time for conversation I’ll answer, “I am a financial advisor.” The discussion is usually over. If the social situation allows...