Here’s a typical year in the life of clients I work with: They bought their first house and installed new windows They bought a new computer for their freelance gig They had a baby that started daycare at three months old They’ve got a few years left of student loan payments They got LASIK They donated money to charity As you can see, things get expensive in your 20s and 30s! But … [Read more...] about How Tax Credits and Deductions Can Lower Your Tax Bill
4 Legal Ways to Lower Your Tax Bill
By now, you might have completed your tax returns for 2016 … and for some of you, the joy of getting your taxes out of the way is lessened by how much you owe the IRS. If it makes you feel any better, a big tax bill is a sign you made a lot of money last year! But I know that coughing up a few thousand bucks in the next few weeks is a pretty crappy way to celebrate your success. What if I told … [Read more...] about 4 Legal Ways to Lower Your Tax Bill
How to Lend Money to Loved Ones Without Wrecking Your Relationships
Here’s a question that can negatively affect your relationship with a friend, relative, or significant other for years to come: Can I borrow some money? When someone you care about needs financial help, you don’t want to leave them in the lurch. After all, these are the people you’d turn to in a crisis -- shouldn’t you be there for them, too? And in many cultures, it’s the norm for adult children … [Read more...] about How to Lend Money to Loved Ones Without Wrecking Your Relationships
How to Talk About Money With Your Significant Other
When you’re dating someone, there are some conversation topics that are tough to bring up -- and I’m not talking about how your last relationship ended! I’m talking about money. We’re taught from a young age that it’s rude to discuss money, and when you’re on your best behavior around a new romantic prospect, it’s easier to just keep quiet about it. But the relationship you (and your dates) have … [Read more...] about How to Talk About Money With Your Significant Other
How to Combine Your Finances as a Couple: Real-Life Advice I Give My Clients
If you’ve built up savings and investments while single, it can be tough to shift your mindset from “me” to “we” when you meet someone you want to be with for the long haul. I answer a lot of client questions about merging finances and setting joint money goals -- while still leaving each half of a couple the space to be their own person. Odds are you won’t settle down with someone who has … [Read more...] about How to Combine Your Finances as a Couple: Real-Life Advice I Give My Clients
A Values-Based Way to Build Your Budget
Let’s be honest: budgeting sucks. There’s a reason everyone (including me) dreads sitting down and figuring out a budget. It brings to light all the things you spent money on that you probably shouldn’t have, and in the end you’ve got a list of super-responsible stuff to spend money on instead. It’s the financial equivalent of eating your vegetables. Yuck. But our philosophy at Gen Y Planning it … [Read more...] about A Values-Based Way to Build Your Budget