401(k), SEP, SIMPLE, IRA… what’s best for me? There are more retirement options for the self employed than you might think! As a self-employed individual, there are many different retirement plan options to choose from. My special guest, Darren Wurz, of Wurz Financial Services, will clarify the differences and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can decide what …
How do I motivate myself to save for retirement when it seems so far off into the future? You’re not the only one who struggles with this; we all do. 3 Reasons You Don’t Save 1.) In this consumer driven culture, you’re constantly bombarded by advertisements reminding us how deficient you are unless you own this or that product. It’s vitally …
Is there anything better than reading a great book poolside, with a fruity drink in hand? I think not! When most of us think “summer reading,” it’s usually light, fun, or romantic stories. But here are four money books to read that will majorly boost your financial IQ while soaking in the sun. I promise you, these reads are anything …
The song, “Dear Younger Me,” by MercyMe, has been stuck in my head recently. The song is full of advice the singer would give to his younger self. So I wondered: What money advice would people want to give their younger selves? So I posted the above picture of me and my best friend, Nicholle Bays, with this caption on …
Borrowing from your 401(k) is robbing you of a comfortable retirement. Many folks treat their 401(k)’s like a personal ATM. Why is it a bad idea to withdraw cash via a 401(k) loan from your retirement to pay for things like your kids’ college, home improvement projects, a vacation, or pay off debt? You’re essentially robbing your future self of a …
Here’s a question that I frequently get asked by my coaching clients: “Should I stop investing in my 401k while working to pay off my debt?” In most cases, the answer is no. If someone’s budget is really tight, even after trimming non-essentials, then it may be wise to temporarily suspend 401k contributions. Here’s why I want you to keep …
In this episode, I discuss why I don’t believe in “Cookie Cutter” Budgets. Many financial gurus try to sell people on a one-size-fits-all formula of financial management, which is destined to fail for most who try it. I explain about why it’s important to create a budget customized to your family’s situation, needs, and goals. Yes, there are some overarching …
We all know that there are dangerous financial waters we need to avoid. Today we’ll talk about the worst of the worst, the “Underbelly of the Financial World.” I’ll explain why you need to avoid payday lenders like the plague, think twice about title pawning, run away from debt consolidation, and save your money instead of wasting it on lottery …
Last week, we covered the “Real Estate and Mortgages” lesson in the Financial Peace University class that I’m facilitating at my church. It’s always a weird lesson because it’s the only time that Dave Ramsey doesn’t go ballistic on us for having some debt. Here are the reasons why: 1.) Most people don’t have the means or patience to save …