When you’re first getting your financial act together, the advice you’ll get pretty much boils down to: Create a budget Build up emergency savings Pay down debt Contribute enough to your 401(k) to get a company match, and fund a Roth IRA as well if you can You built up a solid career, got out of debt, started saving for retirement...in short, you’re doing everything right. … [Read more...] about You’re Doing Really Well Financially: Now What?
Saving and Investing
The Power of Simplifying Your Life
Between work, family, friends, and errands, we all have a lot going on. When you’re pressed for free time, even fun things like a dinner out with friends can feel like an item on a to-do list. The standard answer for “how are you?” used to be “good.” Now it’s “busy.” Frantically trying to get everything done has become something we brag about, as if never having a moment to breathe affords you … [Read more...] about The Power of Simplifying Your Life
What Should Your Emergency Fund Look Like?
Starting an emergency fund can sound like a daunting task. Three to 6 months of your income, in one place? That's a big number! You may think you don’t even need an emergency fund. But don't be fooled into this line of thought. After all, it's hard to know exactly when an unexpected expense will pop up (but somehow it always seems to be at the most inconvenient times). Emergency … [Read more...] about What Should Your Emergency Fund Look Like?
Reflecting On Your Finances At The New Year
According to a Fidelity study from 2014, 31% of Americans planned to make financial resolutions for 2015. Of that group, more than half wanted to save more. The median goal was to save $200 per month. But before you look ahead to the goals you want to accomplish in the new year, take a moment to consider how your money situation changed in the last year. Evaluate … [Read more...] about Reflecting On Your Finances At The New Year
Why I Love HSAs for Millennials
As a new employee, you may be confused by all the health insurance terms out there: What are PPOs and HDHPs, and how are they different? What’s going on with HSAs? And which one makes sense for me? Let’s start with the basics: Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) vs. High Deductible Health Plan (HDHPs). If you select your PPO plan, you'll likely have a smaller deductible with higher premiums … [Read more...] about Why I Love HSAs for Millennials
Gen Y: Should You Save More or Earn More?
Here’s what I love about Millennials: our generation wants to learn about money. Young professionals want to know how to be better with money than their parents and their peers. They want to avoid making the same mistakes, and to ensure their financial future is secure. I love that Gen Y is eager to learn and is asking questions like, “How can I be financially successful?” If you turn to … [Read more...] about Gen Y: Should You Save More or Earn More?