With the rapid popularity of AI tools, I’ve seen the whole spectrum of reactions from friends and clients: fascinated, excited, hopeful, fearful, terrified, elated - you name it. Personally, I think the most helpful approach while we are still in the mid-to-early...
How to Love Your Finances: The Art of the Money Date
February is right around the corner, so what better time to talk about the concept of a “money date”? A money date is just like it sounds: time to shut out the rest of the world and focus on just you and your money for a little while. Think of it as you and your...
How Financial Planning is Like Building IKEA Furniture
I recently tackled the project of building an IKEA dresser all by myself. Yes, I know. Possibly brave; possibly foolish, especially since I am not in any way mechanically inclined. (I do own a hammer and several screwdrivers, however, so I’m not completely helpless.) ...
Prepare for 2025: Three Significant Shifts in Retirement Savings Plans
Although it was passed back in 2022, SECURE ACT 2.0 will create some big changes for retirement plans in 2025. Pretty much all of these changes are positive, but they could take a little legwork on your part to take advantage of them, so here’s what you need to know! ...
Navigating Election Season: A Financial Transitionist’s Perspective
As we find ourselves in the midst of another election season, it's natural to feel a mix of emotions and concerns about the future. As a Certified Financial Transitionist, I'd like to offer a unique perspective on how to approach this period of potential change. ...
Car Payment or Roth IRA Payment?
I wanted to share a financial insight I had recently while helping a client. We observed that her car payment was over $500/month. That’s a significant amount, for any budget. So I looked it up. According to 2024 Experian data, the average car payment for a new car...
Maximizing Social Security Income in an Inflationary World
Inflation has become a hot topic lately, with many of us experiencing sticker shock when purchasing everyday items or resuming normal activities. For retirees living on Social Security or a fixed pension, this challenge is particularly daunting. Let's explore some...
Navigating Life Insurance Questions
Life insurance can be pretty confusing. As a financial planner, I often get asked about it. Probably the most common question I hear is: in my case, should I even have life insurance? It’s a good question. You are probably familiar with the prevalent ads showing...
Summer Savings: Paying Off Debt While Making Memories
According to a GOBankingRates survey, 41% of respondents said their #1 financial goal is to pay off debt this summer. That’s great! But can you prioritize debt while still enjoying your summer? The answer is, YES! Paying off debt doesn't mean you have to sacrifice...
Does Saying “I Do” Mean Combining Your Finances?
Did you know that June is traditionally the most popular month for weddings? May also makes the list, so I wanted to celebrate this season of love and commitment by dusting off a blog post from a few years ago. It’s still highly relevant and I still get asked this...
5 Things to Do if You Win the Lottery
Every week, people play the lottery hoping that a big win will solve all of their problems. But sudden money is trickier than that. It comes with both new opportunities and new problems. And a whole lot of new territory for you to navigate, often in public. Here are 5...
IRS Scams – Don’t Fall for Them!
During tax season, taxpayers (meaning, most of us!) are often bombarded with documents and overwhelmed by a load of information. This creates an environment where scammers can easily step in and take advantage of even the most diligent. Tax season scams are becoming...


