Ever wonder how it would feel to stop worrying about money? Before I hit financial rock bottom at age 26, I constantly worried about money. Will I have enough money for all the bills this month? Will that check clear my account before payday and cause me to be overdrawn? Where in the world will I come up with the …
Married couples having separate bank accounts might conjure up images of mistrust or deceit between husbands and wives. However, I think there are certain situations where separate accounts can be a good idea. First, let me put forth a few disclaimers. I think deliberately hiding money or debt from your spouse or partner is a horrible idea. I also …
Could you be saving too much money? That is the premise of the book I just finished reading called, Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. I picked it up somewhat reluctantly because dying with zero money seems to go against everything I’ve learned about personal finances over the past two decades. And many of the clients I work with …
When we’re pursuing financial success, often a new level comes with a new mindset devil. We’d like to think once we’re earning six-figures, it’s because we’ve conquered all of our money mindset demons. But I have found that’s rarely the case! When we ascend to new financial levels, encountering unfamiliar money situations, we frequently discover new mindset devils we …
Whether we know it or not, we all have a comfort zone when it comes to personal finances. We’re used to a certain amount of income and a certain balance in our savings account or 401k. If you have a sudden positive change in your money, it can be a shock because it pushes you outside of your money comfort …
This year, a dream 8 years in the making finally came true for me! That dream was spending a month every winter in a tropical location. When I worked as an accountant, taking a month of vacation in January or February was absurd and impossible (year-end close followed by tax season). My dream didn’t come to pass exactly as …
The cop threatened to shoot my dog, and at that moment, I knew I had to leave Jeff. The pounding on the apartment door woke me up at 3 AM. I shuffled to answer it, dressed in my milk and cookies pajamas, my dog, Bronx, at my heels. I grabbed him by the collar and held him behind me as …
Do you know the difference between financial enabling and helping? Confession: I used to be a big-time financial enabler! My ex-fiancé, “Jeff,” spent every penny he made (and then some) plus he changed jobs the way some people change their socks. I was young and in love, and I thought with enough support and encouragement, I could help Jeff become …
If you’re fresh off your divorce, the last thing you want to think about is trusting someone again, especially in the area of money. You need time to heal, and it’s usually not smart to jump into a new relationship without dealing with the issues of your past. However, there likely will come a time when you are ready …