The way we think has a powerful way of affecting our behavior and ultimately who we become. I’m going to highlight five faulty mindsets that can lead to a compromised financial future. I will make more money in the future, and then I’ll save. When you expect to be in a better financial situation in the future, you are tempted to take the emphasis off what you need to do… Read More
The Habit of Saving
When Warren Buffet spoke to students at Georgetown’s McDonough School of business back in 2013, he said that good habits might be more important than being smart. He then went on to stress the importance of establishing the habit of saving. Buffet has also been quoted as saying: “Don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving.” The easiest way to save is to put your… Read More
Debt Considerations
To borrow or not to borrow, that is the question. Today’s blog will provide some thoughts regarding the use of debt. There are many different opinions on this subject. Circumstances and stages of life certainly play a role in these decisions. For example, a younger couple will most likely need a mortgage to buy a house, but those approaching retirement are usually better served by having their home paid for…. Read More
The Simple Cash Flow Plan
To me, the word budget is not a friendly one. It sounds restrictive and limiting. So when I discuss this topic with clients I prefer to use the term ‘cash flow planning’ instead. Isn’t that more elegant? For our fall blog series, we will be focusing on Household Cash Flow Planning, digging into the tools and strategies we recommend to our clients to create sustainable tracking of your financial goals…. Read More
A Road Map For Success
I’m a strong believer in goal setting. The first recollection I have of being introduced to the idea of goal setting was at the end of my freshman year of high school. My high school soccer coach challenged each member of the soccer team to write down personal goals for the upcoming fall season as well as goals for our high school soccer career. I don’t remember specifically what I… Read More
The Challenges of Aging Well
I’ve been blessed by the love and influence of my parents throughout my life. Several years ago we began having some very direct conversations about aging well and the potential risk of one, or both of them, needing care in the future. We spoke honestly and clearly regarding expectations. I’m glad to say that we recently moved my Dad & Mom into a lovely cottage at a local retirement and… Read More
Reflecting God’s Generous Heart
Recently, I listened to a short radio program from Chuck Bentley of Crown Financial Ministries. He was talking about the fact that the Bible describes God as generous and that creation reflects this generosity. The trees give off oxygen for us to breathe, the sun produces heat and light, clouds provide rain, and vegetation provides food. The list goes on. The way that God has created the world reflects his… Read More
Needing Each Other
When is the last time you went to the gym? Where are you taking your next family vacation? How much money do you hope to save next month? The questions you just read have made it much more likely that you will go to the gym, take a family vacation and save more money in the near future. For many of us, talking about money is not a conversation friends… Read More
T.G.I.F.
Thank goodness it’s Friday (T.G.I.F.). That’s what I heard from one of my early morning workout comrades on Friday. Why are we so thankful to get to Friday? Does it in part have to do with our outlook on work? I have observed three unhealthy attitudes toward work. First, it’s a necessary evil. I need to make a living so I have to work. Work is simply a means to… Read More
It’s the Principle of the Thing
Principles trump feelings, especially in the area of investment decisions. When faced with an investment decision, we should always ask, “If I do this, will I be violating any proven principle?” In his book Investing for the Future, Larry Burkett relates a story about a man who had been retired from Sears for ten years. Over the years he had accumulated a significant amount of Sears stock, and that holding… Read More
