You’ve seen this happen to your friends. They get a big raise, or a new job that pays much more than their previous one. Suddenly, they’re a different person. They trade in their 10-year-old Toyota for a brand-new Audi, ditch their roommates for a one-bedroom in a luxury building, and they’re no longer your go-to friend for $2 happy hour beers at a dive bar. Or maybe it’s happened to you, too. … [Read more...] about A Guide to Preventing Lifestyle Creep (and Using Extra Cash to Build Wealth Instead)
How to Pay for Grad School, Law School, or Your MBA
If you’re considering going back to school to get a master’s degree, law degree, or MBA, you might be looking into student loans to help pay tuition -- especially since many graduate programs cost $50,000 a year or more. Yikes! This is a choice to not take lightly. Taking on debt of this magnitude (possibly on top of undergraduate loans you’re still paying off), will affect your finances for years … [Read more...] about How to Pay for Grad School, Law School, or Your MBA
What To Do with an Inheritance or Settlement
If you receive a large windfall from an inheritance or lump sum settlement, you’re suddenly faced with financial decisions you weren’t expecting. Getting a lot of money at once can be a blessing and a curse. You’re not only dealing with the emotions of receiving this money (maybe from a loved one who passed away, or a lawsuit resulting from an accident), you’re also dealing with the logistics of … [Read more...] about What To Do with an Inheritance or Settlement
The Nuts and Bolts of a Mortgage
If you’re considering buying a home for the first time, there are a lot of terms thrown around that make the process seem pretty daunting. The one you’ve probably heard of? The mortgage. Much like rent, your mortgage payment is due monthly. But what does that payment cover? How do you get approved for one in the first place? And how do you even know what you can afford? I PITI the … [Read more...] about The Nuts and Bolts of a Mortgage
Student Loan Debt and What to Do About It
When you work with Millennial clients like I do, you are very well-acquainted with how student debt can affect a person’s everyday life. As countless articles and news reports lament, today’s 20 and 30-somethings are putting off buying homes and cars, getting married, having kids, and saving for retirement. While a bachelor’s degree is generally a good investment that will earn you about $1 … [Read more...] about Student Loan Debt and What to Do About It
Want Kids One Day? Begin Saving Today
If you’re feeling the urge to have your first baby, you’ve probably spent the past few months or years imagining what your future baby will look like, what names you like, and how adorable they’ll look in a onesie with little ducks on it (so adorable!). But when you’re planning to have a baby, you need to plan for more than nursery color schemes. Babies need more than onesies and love, y’all. … [Read more...] about Want Kids One Day? Begin Saving Today