How to Use a Donor Advised Fund In Your Financial Plan
A Donor Advised Fund can offer many benefits and is worth exploring for those interested in long-term charitable giving.
How to Manage Money as a Committed Couple
Managing money as a married or committed couple can come with challenges and benefits. Like most things in personal finance, there is no one right or wrong way to do it. We'll discuss some of the ways to approach money management in a committed relationship.
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?
We've all probably heard the "3-6 months of expenses" rule of thumb for your emergency fund. But like most things in personal finance, it's not a one-size-fits-all. We'll talk through the nuances of how to think about how much should be in your emergency fund.
How to Ask For a Raise
Talking about compensation can be uncomfortable for many. But avoiding the topic could leave you under-paid and under-appreciated. Let's talk about how to ask for raise in a way that is constructive, respectful, and productive.
Does Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, and Impact Investing Really Make a Difference?
SRI/ESG/Impact investing is nuanced, complicated, and can be somewhat confusing. It can also be controversial. While there are many advocates for this way of investing, there are also plenty of detractors who claim that it’s simply “virtue signaling” or that it doesn’t make a difference.
My Favorite Easy-to-Launch Service Business Ideas
One of the best ways to improve your financial situation is to increase your income. We often think about cutting expenses first but this can be very difficult. Cutting expenses is a great place to start but there is only so much you can do.
Budget Alternatives for People Who Don't Want to Budget
Let's face it, strict zero-based budgeting is not for everyone. No matter how beautiful and seductive your friends make YNAB (or Mint, or spreadsheets, or whatever) sound, you're just not going to do it. So what's the alternative? Are you doomed to a life of financial anarchy? Have no fear. There is hope for your cash flow even if you're not on the budget bandwagon.
Why I Don't Use Credit Cards
Aside from very rare and specific circumstances, I don't use credit cards and I haven't since 2009. I know, I'm a total weirdo and most people can't understand how I can function as a human on planet Earth without credit cards. After all, 83% of people aged 30 - 49 own a credit card and over half the households in the U.S. carry credit card debt so I must be missing out, right?
How I Approach Investing With My Clients
In addition to financial planning and financial coaching, a significant portion of my work with my clients is investment management. A lot goes into this, including assessing risk and time horizon, choosing suitable investments, monitoring those investments, rebalancing, and keeping investments aligned with my clients throughout their lives.