Lifelong renters are often surprised at the random additional expenses they have to cover when they buy a home for the first time. Because landlords cover a lot of the cost of maintaining their property (or roll that cost into your rent amount), rent is the highest amount you pay for housing per month, while a mortgage is actually the lowest amount you’ll pay. There are lots of hidden costs of … [Read more...] about How to Budget for the Hidden Costs of Homeownership
Blogs
What Happens to My Roth IRA When My Income Increases?
I frequently recommend Roth IRAs to my clients as part of their retirement savings strategy. Because you contribute after-tax income, millennials who are still establishing their careers (and therefore are in a lower tax bracket) can lock in a lower tax rate on contributions now, and then pay no taxes when withdrawing money in retirement — even if you’re in a higher tax bracket. You can always … [Read more...] about What Happens to My Roth IRA When My Income Increases?
I’m Scared to Spend Money, But I Make Six Figures
I’ve spoken to so many successful millennials who earn a comfortable salary and save and invest a healthy amount. Yet they still hoard cash like their luck is about to run out, or are racked with fear whenever faced with a chance to spend on something that isn’t essential to survival. They’re so afraid to spend money! While the media is talking about millennials spending all their money on … [Read more...] about I’m Scared to Spend Money, But I Make Six Figures
How Do Trust Funds Pay Out?
Whether you’re the recipient of a trust fund or you’re setting one up for the benefit of someone else, it’s important to understand the basics of how trusts work. Trusts can be complicated, but they’re also helpful estate planning tools that allow people to pass their wealth down, while in many cases bypassing the expensive and time-consuming probate process. Keep in mind that I am not a lawyer … [Read more...] about How Do Trust Funds Pay Out?
The FIRE Movement: A Financial Planner’s Perspective
More and more, I work with clients who are interested in the FIRE movement (which, if you haven’t heard of it, stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early). Countless blogs, websites, and podcasts are dedicated to FIRE, sharing the stories of how people penny-pinched their way to freedom from The Man. My friend Paula Pant interviewed Suze Orman and asked for her opinion of the FIRE … [Read more...] about The FIRE Movement: A Financial Planner’s Perspective
How to Make a Plan for Your Charitable Giving
Holiday donation drives are in full force, and you may be considering how to allocate any spare amount of money you can give toward causes you care about. I often discuss charitable giving with clients, because believe it or not, it’s an important part of an overall financial plan. If you want to read more about one of my favorite charities, you can check out this article from Financial Planning … [Read more...] about How to Make a Plan for Your Charitable Giving