Back to the Basics
January is often a time for fresh starts. We clean out closets, set new goals, and promise ourselves that this will be the year we do better. When it comes to personal finances, however, it can be easy to get distracted by the latest headlines, investment trends, or policy changes. In both financial planning and […]
Three Financial Resolutions You Will Actually Keep in 2026
Every January, millions of Americans vow to keep new resolutions, only to abandon them by February. Statistics show that 80% of resolutions are given up by mid-February. Why? Because most resolutions are either too vague, restrictive, or overwhelming. The most successful strategy is to implement small, intentional changes that over time make big impacts. This […]
Christmas Reflections
The Christmas season is a time of great joy and celebration. Unfortunately, for many of us, the added festivities on the calendar – combined with year-end workloads at work, school, and home – can quickly pile up and steal that joy. This year, my husband and I decided to give each other an experience instead […]
Keep the Magic, Cut the Stress: Smart Holiday Spending
Christmas is a season of joy, generosity and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. It can also bring financial stress if we are not careful. Overspending in December does not just hurt now, it can follow you into the New Year when property taxes, income taxes, and other annual bills are often due. […]
Moving On and Moving In: Tax Tips for Homebuyers and Sellers
As someone who is currently in the process of both buying and selling a home, I’m reminded how many moving pieces there are. Between inspections, appraisals, and closing dates, taxes may be the last thing on your mind. Still, a few smart steps can make a real difference when tax season comes around. When You […]
Combining Piggy Banks: A Lesson in Shared Finances
Recently, two of my sons got into a heated argument over a toy they had purchased together after combining their piggy bank savings. One claimed greater ownership because his piggy bank had been fuller. But neither had counted their money before merging it, leaving no way to determine individual contributions. I stepped in and declared […]
Sports Betting in 2025
Summer is coming to an end, and fall will soon be upon us. What is fall so often associated with? Of course, there’s the cooler weather and the joy of the upcoming holidays – but one thing I enjoy greatly about fall is the beginning of football season. If you are like me, you’ll spend […]
Is It Worth It?
Six years ago, just before my wedding, I set a goal – one that many people have at that time in their lives, I suppose: to lose some extra weight, get leaner, and build more muscle. Like most people, I already knew what to do—I just wasn’t doing it. So, I hired a personal trainer. […]
Impact of OBBBA to Taxpayers
Since the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the clock has been ticking on what tax circumstances would look like for 2026. The long awaited One Big Beautiful Bill Act (or OBBBA) passed into law on July 4th. While the bill received extensive media attention, most taxpayers won’t see large […]
Cash Flow Management: A Guide for Business Owners
As we have just surpassed the halfway point of calendar year 2025, small business owners across the country are navigating a complex financial landscape. Inflation remains stubborn in some areas of the economy, interest rates are still elevated as compared to pre-2020 levels, and operating costs continue to rise. Managing cash flow in this environment […]