Money

It’s hard to account for everything that needs to go into a budget. After you tick through the obvious items, you have to start thinking about all those items that walk the line between want and necessity.

It’s pretty easy for me to argue in favor of giving back to the community. I believe tithing is one of our most important responsibilities, using the means we earn to improve the world around us.

We get caught up thinking about the big money makers - stocks, real estate and business investing - and forget that having a healthy amount of interest-earning, liquid assets adds some needed diversity.

In the world of financial advising, we see far too many examples of professionals abusing their freedom. If the motivation is there, the mechanisms are in place to take advantage or people and their retirement accounts. ‍

Shopping for insurance is a big deal. If you feel like it’s a small deal, you need to make a bigger deal out of it. Why does it matter so much?

I’m a big advocate of setting goals. With clear objectives come focus, drive and that irreplaceable sense of achievement once you check a big item off your to-do list.

You have to save for retirement. In case any part of that is unclear, I’ll try to spell it out in plainer terms: YOU HAVE TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT.

If you think you have a spending problem but aren’t exactly sure where the money is going, here are some of the areas where we tend to waste the most.

An empty lot can be a thing of beauty. It’s a like a blank canvass, an open field with limitless possibilities, ready to be turned into the perfect property. At least, that’s how it looks through a certain lens.

Anyone who’s thought about changing careers has heard the following: “Why don’t you just go back to school?” The suggestion isn’t a bad one, and whoever asks it means no harm.

Whether you get a yearly bonus like clockwork or it’s about to happen for the first time, this year-end influx of cash always delights.

If it’s time for a new car but you aren’t sure where to start, this post should at least help you dip your toes in the (car)pool.

This question fascinates me. Ask it in a room full of market-savvy folks and you’ll get 20 different answers, even though it should be, in theory, a yes or no question.

I’m going to throw out six simple activities that can ultimately change the course of your life. On their own, none of these will make your dreams come true.

Time management isn’t a natural talent. Some people might have a stronger inclination to stay proactive and efficient, but that doesn’t mean this ability is unlearnable.

I hope you never end up in the position where you need to take the steps in this blog post. If you do go through some kind of layoff, I believe the following actions can help you get back on your feet.