Proper Money Etiquette
Navigating financial interactions with proper etiquette demonstrates self-awareness, respect and consideration of others’ feelings. Whether you are splitting a bill with friends, accepting a small gesture, or discussing a large purchase, money can often lead to uncomfortable situations if not handled carefully. Money etiquette matters because when you get it wrong, you may unintentionally make […]
Practical Advice for College Bound
College acceptances and scholarship applications are behind you, but as a parent or student you may find yourself asking, “Now what?” It can be overwhelming to figure out the next steps in preparing to start college. Over the next few months, you may be navigating housing arrangements, meal plans, and tuition bills just to name […]
The Scoop on Scholarships
My younger sister recently received acceptance to Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and my younger brother will also be starting his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M in the fall! With this exciting news in our family, scholarships have been top of mind. There is no doubt about it – college is expensive. Although planning […]
Preparing for Life’s Certain Uncertainty
“Just in case…” – A phrase I often use as I start to tell my husband some information of (usually financial) importance that I’ve filed away with our other important documents. I had a friend use this same phrase recently when updating me of changes to their estate planning situation. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® […]
Educators and Public Servants Finally See Increased Social Security Benefits
Let me tell you about Sarah, a long-time kindergarten teacher. Sarah looked forward to a modest retirement supported by her Teacher Retirement System pension and her late husband’s social security benefits. She met with me before announcing her retirement to make sure that she was ready to retire. After reviewing her social security benefits, Sarah […]
Get Ahead of Tax Season: Smart Steps to Take Now
The holidays have ended, and you have likely packed the decorations back into storage for another year. However, it is not too early to start thinking about tax season. A well-organized approach to tax preparation can save you time, money, and stress. Here are some key steps to take to help facilitate a smooth tax […]
New Year, New Financial You
Happy New Year to you and welcome to 2025. The new year often carries the opportunity of new beginnings and creating resolutions to better yourself. Many of my past New Year’s resolutions have been recycled over the years and consist of the typical subjects: hitting the gym, eating better, and finally completing that list of […]
Learning On the Go
Where do you go for information? Social media might be a tool (already in hand) used for learning on the go. On our recent family vacation, in a moment of reprieve with our two small children down for the night, my husband scrolled through reels or short videos on his social media. He skipped past […]
Tis the Season for Tax Savings
With the holidays right around the corner and the year winding down, it’s easy to get caught up in holiday shopping, get-togethers, and last-minute plans. Many taxpayers also find themselves scrambling to take advantage of last-minute tax saving opportunities before the new year. The good news is that there are still several strategies you can […]
Thanksgiving Reflections
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives. Yet, amid political strife, ongoing wars, and a world marked by division and unrest, perhaps I’m not alone in finding it easy to overlook the many ways we are blessed. Consider this: we live in a time […]