This time of year can only mean one thing: a new wave of students is donning their caps and gowns and walking across a stage to finally accept their hard-earned college diplomas. It's a really exciting time in anyone's life — but it can be pretty scary, too. For recent grads — and even members of Generation Y who have been out of college for a few years — thinking about how they'll become … [Read more...] about 4 Ways Gen Y Can Maintain Good Financial Health
Saving and Investing
How Do I Calculate My Net Worth?
YOUR NET WORTH = WHAT YOU HAVE – WHAT YOU OWE It’s that simple. A few times a year, I take a moment to calculate my net worth. I pull up my spreadsheet, log into my accounts online, and enter the balance of each of my retirement accounts, savings, investments, etc. I don't own a home, but if you do, make sure to include its approximate value. Then I enter any debt that I have. For you, … [Read more...] about How Do I Calculate My Net Worth?
Couples And Money: Avoiding The Two-Income Trap
About half of my clients are couples, and they often ask me what they could improve with their finances. My suggestion: View “your money” as “our money” and start planning as a couple. I realize that you may have spent the last 10 years of your adult life as a single lady (cue Beyoncé), and you didn’t have to take into account anyone else’s money habits — or their money … [Read more...] about Couples And Money: Avoiding The Two-Income Trap
Should I Contribute to a 401(k) or a Roth IRA?
I am asked a lot of questions about retirement: Where should I save for retirement? Should I use a 401(k) or a Roth IRA? Can I do both? What’s a Roth 401(k)? How do I find out about my company match? I have a 403(b), what’s that? These are all great questions! Today I want to break down all these ways to save for retirement and which ways might be best for you. … [Read more...] about Should I Contribute to a 401(k) or a Roth IRA?
How to Prioritize Student Loan Debt While Working Towards Other Financial Goals
A common question that is brought up by my Gen Y clients is: what do I do about my student loans? The problem is that there isn’t a simple answer. It really depends on a few things: The amount of student loans in relation to your income; if the loans are public or private; the interest rate on your student loans; and the other goals that you’re trying to achieve. Prioritizing … [Read more...] about How to Prioritize Student Loan Debt While Working Towards Other Financial Goals