Everyone who’ll be leaving this world needs an estate plan, and they probably need financial planning while they are here. Women in particular should pay attention to this crucial and life-affirming process. Regardless of marital status or net worth, women need to make decisions and arrangements today in order to protect themselves, their spouses and […]
The Crucial and Life-Affirming Process of Estate Planning Read More »
Think that you might be on the hook for alimony or spousal support after your divorce? The new tax bill that was signed into law at the end of 2017 states that the spouse paying alimony won’t get a tax deduction for the payments. This change applies to all support agreements made after December 31st,
Will You Have to Pay Alimony to Your Ex-Husband? Read More »
Many people decide to move when they retire to save money on living expenses, be closer to family, enjoy better weather, or to finally fulfill their dream of living in an exotic locale. But choosing where to live means more than deciding whether you prefer sand or trees. In fact, many people make their biggest retirement
Five Questions You Need to Answer If You’re Thinking of Moving After You Retire Read More »
This month, as wedding bells ring for hordes of happy, hopeful newlyweds, my husband and I are celebrating our 29th anniversary. We’ve learned a lot over the years, and we wish all the new kids on the block as much happiness and good fortune as we’ve enjoyed. We especially wish them the will and wisdom
Money Talks … Love Listens Read More »
Your beautiful new baby has arrived and you think you’ve got the safety thing under control. The house is childproofed, you’ve got the pediatrician’s phone number posted on the fridge, and a brand new car seat sits in the back of your minivan. But physical safety is just part of the challenge. Unless you’re Julia
Five Ways to Safeguard Your New Baby’s Financial Future Read More »
Most people think about taxes only in the spring. But if you are planning to retire in the near future, there are lots of things you should be doing right now to put in place a smart retirement tax strategy that can save you big bucks and help you achieve the retirement you want. If
Five Simple Tips That Will Help You Save Big on Taxes in Retirement Read More »
Recently my client Jennifer called me. “I did it!” she exclaimed over the phone. “I bought the vacation home that I visualized.” That excitement in her voice was a pleasure to hear. Seven years ago she was widowed at age 27 when her husband died in an auto accident near their home in Southern California.
Put Your Goals in Pictures Read More »
Did you just come into a lot of money? Maybe you received an inheritance, won a lawsuit, sold a company, or simply won the lottery. Now you are figuratively sitting on piles of money. What a great problem to have! Except that it really can be a problem. We’ve all read the stories of lottery
How to Survive Sudden Wealth Read More »
“Out of sight out of mind” is a great philosophy when it comes to building up your savings. While you’re at it, why not start “practicing” retirement?
Out of Sight, Out of Mind Read More »
Five tips on how to save and play responsibly with your newfound wealth Have you just landed a big windfall? Maybe you’ve received an inheritance, gotten a bonus at work, sold your business, or won a lawsuit. Congratulations on this infusion of cash. You now have the means to create more financial stability in your
OMG, I’m Rich! Now What? Read More »
It is impossible to think about money, (especially YOUR money), without bringing your emotions along. We all have a huge and complex tapestry of emotions connected to our concept of money. For many women, money represents security, and they fear putting any of it at risk. The thought of becoming a “beggar lady on the
Is Fear Running Your Investment Strategy? Read More »
In the spring of this year my mother passed away. As my first Christmas without her approaches, I remember a Christmas story that she once told me. In 1934, my mother was eight years old, and she wanted only one thing for Christmas – a Shirley Temple doll. Shirley Temple was the most popular movie
A Christmas Wish From Long Ago Read More »
Oh, how easy it is to get distracted by the day-to-day fluctuations in the market. Many investors have a herd mentality. Poor jobs report? Suddenly gold prices spike. A major CEO has the flu? Their company’s stock falls ill as well. The best investors, however, step back from the herd and take a long view
Why The Best Investors Are History Buffs Read More »
Let’s imagine that you and your mate have a very important financial date today. It’s a regularly scheduled get-together that happens every month like clockwork. You may recall that when you first began these state-of-our-finances meetings, it was rocky. Lots of things needed to be shared and talked through, some quite jarring. Now, though, it’s
A Couple’s Money Meet-Up Read More »
The old saying, “what we don’t know can’t hurt us,” is good for a laugh when we’re talking about the number of calories in a mocha frappuccino. However, we really do want to know as much as we can about how certain predictable life events can affect us, especially our finances. Although we can’t know
Life Events and Your Finances: Are You in the Know? Read More »
“You’ve come a long way, baby!” said the 1968 ad, aimed at patting women on the back for their amazing progress in the world. Fortunately, today’s women can look back and laugh at the idea that they had reached their potential in 1968. Women were just getting started back then and have since continued to
Women’s Prosperity Check 101 Read More »
In addition to the emotional impact a divorce can have, it’s important to be aware of how your financial position will be impacted. Consider tax implications You’ll also need to consider the tax implications of your divorce. Your sources of income, filing status, and the credits and/or deductions for which you qualify may all be
Life After Divorce: Can be Taxing Read More »
Now, more than ever, you need to make sure that your finances are on the right track. You will then be able to put the past behind you and set in place the building blocks that can be the foundation for your new financial future. Review your insurance needs Typically, insurance coverage for one or
Life After Divorce: What You Need to Do Now Read More »
Ironing out a divorce settlement, attending various court hearings, and dealing with competing attorneys can all weigh heavily on all the parties involved. But now that you’ve made it through the process, it’s time to reevaluate your financial life as a single person. Take control of your debt While you’re adjusting to your new budget,
Life After Divorce: Time to Reevaluate Your Financial Life Read More »
Going through a divorce can be an emotionally trying time, but it is also an opportunity to start fresh. Now that you are single, it is important to begin with a strong financial base. Assess your current financial situation Following a divorce, you’ll need to get a handle on your finances and assess your current
Life After Divorce: Time to Assess your Financial Situation Read More »
My grandmother and my mother-in-law each lived to age 96. Many of us know women who lived to age 100 or later. A lot of women are afraid of a stock market decline, but because we are living longer than ever before, there’s actually something that could be more devastating to your hard earned wealth—the
What is Your Greatest Risk? Read More »
Investing for the future is always a game of chance, and risk-taking is part of the game plan. All investing involves some element of risk. The secret is to be a wise risk-taker and find the right balance for you between hopeful excitement and sleepless nights. While it’s natural to fear risk, it helps to
A Wise Risk Today Brings Good Fortune Tomorrow Read More »
Americans are more at risk than ever before of not being able to maintain their same standard of living after they retire. The National Retirement Risk Index shows that in 2012 the number of at-risk households increased from 44% to 53% in the previous five years. This reflects the effects of the poor job market,
Beware These Risks to a Comfortable Retirement Read More »
Your financial situation has an incredible effect on the quality of your life. It’s important to define your long-term goals and create an investment strategy to help achieve those goals.
Financial Education and Empowerment Read More »
As you begin life on your own, here are some tips to protect yourself and begin building financial security for the future.
Managing Money During and After Divorce Read More »
Many years ago in a Milwaukee schoolroom my first grade teacher Mrs. Winkler worked hard to instill in her young pupils the principles of personal responsibility and proper behavior. She also made sure we girls and boys left her care with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of basic math—Two plus Two equals Four. Mrs.
Mrs. Winkler Was Right Read More »
Hopefully you planned ahead and have a nice chunk of change set aside for the costs of college. Figure out how much you’ll need for junior’s education with the Save for College at VISA USA’s education website Practical Money Skills. If your savings come up short, don’t despair — there are a lot of things you can
Cutting College Costs Read More »
Do you dream of having your own business? More and more women each year discover the excitement of being self-employed. If it sounds good to you, the prospects have never been better or the resources greater to help you get started. Enterprising women across America are building businesses that now employ 7.8 million people and
Are You an Enterprising Woman? Read More »
If you are among the thousands of women who will be sticking their toes back in the job-hunting stream soon, take a deep breath! It’s okay to feel a bit nervous. Whether you’ve been at home raising a family, suffered recent divorce or widowhood, lost your employment, or re-located, the game remains the same. You
Going Back to Work? Start Fresh…And Smart! Read More »
Dream or Nightmare? Money Can Be Both Tamara had dreamed that one day she’d have wealth. One day she did, but it came as a nightmare rather than a dream, when a fiery plane crash killed her husband and two of her four children. For five long years she battled the airline at fault for
Managing Inherited Wealth Read More »
Wait! Before you reach into your pocket you might want to read this. Switch to a free ATM card. Automatic teller machines (ATM) are a great convenience, but if you’re being charged a fee to use them, the costs can add up. If your bank charges a fee find a different bank. ANNUAL SAVINGS: $30+
4 ways to stretch your paycheck and put your money back in your pocket! Read More »
So you want to buy a car or a house? How about get a credit card or a mobile phone? You won’t get any of those things until they check your credit score. There are three main credit scoring agencies – Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. They each issue credit reports showing your creditors’ names,
4 Credit Score Secrets Read More »
Just because your marriage went down the drain, doesn’t mean your money has to follow. The emotional burden of a divorce can be overwhelming. Now add to that the financial adjustments you have to go through and it becomes frightening. But don’t fret, there are certain steps you can take to get your “Divorce and
5 steps you can take to ease your financial transition from divorce Read More »
Is the recent stock volatility in the market making your head spin? You’ve probably heard the comparison between the current stock market and a roller coaster ride. Both have a lot of sudden ups and downs that can make keeping your lunch down a chore. But ask yourself this question- when the roller coaster is
Patience is a Virtue Read More »
Do your kids think you’re made of money? Does it seem like every time you turn around your forking out dough to your kids? Maybe, it’s time to start teaching them the meaning of that old expression, “Money doesn’t grow on trees” Here are some helpful ideas to make them start respecting the hard work
Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! Read More »
5 Basic building blocks that will start you on the road to financial freedom. When the great master told her pupil, “You must first learn to walk before you can run.” She could have very well been giving financial advice. Wealth building is a result of organization, planning, and motivation. Take these 5 tips to
Building Wealth Basics Read More »
Thinking Social Security is a major source of retirement income? Think Again. If you’re counting on Social Security as a major part of your retirement income…watch out! The Social Security system is increasingly strained. With people living longer and better health care, more and more people are drawing benefits. To give you an idea: In
Social Security Retirement? Plan for Social In-Security… Read More »
Before saying you have no money to save, check out the “Latte Factor.” This may be a savings strategy you’ve overlooked when looking for ways to save money. What is the “Latte Factor”? Let’s make up an example. Tom is a 23 year old, working in an office somewhere, and not getting paid a whole
What Steps Can You Take Now to Protect the Security of Your Family? One of your first financial goals should be protecting your family’s security from a financial crisis. To do this, you need to look at four things: First, it’s important to have enough insurance in all major areas. These major areas are life,
Be Safe, Not Sorry Read More »
It’s an uncomfortable conversation to have with your parents…and I am not referring to the birds and the bees. This one involves their estate and resolving any uncertainties before they’re gone. Death is not a pleasant subject, but it is going to come eventually and it’s better to be prepared. Assure your parents that you
Volatile Times in the Market Raise Lots of Questions. Wondering how to invest and what to invest in? Your first step should be to formulate an investment strategy. To do that, ask yourself these questions concerning your exceptions and preferences. What period of time are you investing for?A short-term investor needs the money in one
Your Investment Strategy Read More »
When I was first given the opportunity to write this column, some of my staff asked, “Why put a financial advice article in a magazine about home decorating?” They wondered whether my readers would have any interest in financial planning, and whether they would embrace the concepts I wanted to address. I understood however, that
Decorate Your Financial Future With Style Read More »
When our daughter Carrie was in high school, she worked at Starbucks after school and on weekends. She saved half of her paycheck for future college expenses and spent the rest on current teenage “necessities” such as MP3 players, shoes and fashion. If you asked Carrie, she was practically self-supporting. She loved the independence, and
The Cost of Raising a Child Read More »
After being widowed this spring at age 55, reader Lorraine from Temecula found out that her deceased husband’s credit was worth more than hers. Once she began to recover from the shock of losing her husband, she knew she should change accounts to her own name. She started with Sears, where she and her husband
Widow Finds Credit Tied Up in Husband’s Name Read More »
When I hosted our firm’s quarterly women’s luncheon last month, I again was struck at the community and support women offer each other. Although we talk about financial issues, it’s the sharing and honest discussion of what is going on in each of our lives that inspires and encourages each one of us. Helen, in
Recently my client Jennifer called me. “I did it!” she exclaimed over the phone. “I bought the vacation home that I visualized.” That excitement in her voice was a pleasure to hear. Seven years ago she was widowed at age 27 when her husband died in an auto accident near their home in North County.
Put Your Goals in Pictures Read More »
Can you live on one income? If you are like many couples, you can’t even get by on two! But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay home to raise your children. It may be less expensive to run the household with only one spouse working. That’s because two careers mean additional expenses for childcare, commuting,
Don’t Abandon Your Career if You Decide to Leave Work Read More »
