Most people want to save. Some people are more successful at saving. What’s their trick? Having a plan. Planning makes everything easier! Here are ten steps to make a plan that will work: Find Your Why It’s hard to be motivated if you don’t have a good reason. Sometimes it takes some thought, but knowing… | Read More…
How Much Is Military Pay?
This is probably the most common question that I see asked: “How much is military pay?” It is such a simple question, yet so complicated. The simple part is because there is one pay chart, and it is public record because it is made by law, and it is not at all complicated. It is… | Read More…
When Should A Military Member Hire A Financial Planner?
I’ve been bugging my friend Forrest Baumhover to write this article for a long time. I’m glad he waited until he had the right thoughts in his head, because this is really good stuff. When Kate first asked me to write this article, I have to admit that I took longer than I usually do…. | Read More…
Five Savings Tips To Get Started and Keep Going
That picture? That’s how I want to spend my days: sitting on the beach, in the shade, with a cool drink. One way I’m going to make that happen is by saving money so that I have more financial freedom. Saving isn’t always easy, but it is always easier if you have a plan. Use… | Read More…
Kate Rants: Choice Is Good. But Be Sure You Can Support Your Choices
You know how some weeks it seems like the same thing hits you over and over and over again? (And I’m not talking about how you get an explosion of IKEA ads on your Facebook feed right after talking to your sister, on the phone, about IKEA. That’s just creepy.) This week, it’s been people… | Read More…
Moving My Investments From USAA/Victory Capital
Many of you are asking about USAA’s transfer of their investment products to Victory Capital and/or Charles Schwab. There is a lot happening, and it is confusing. Here’s the short version: USAA was just not big enough (really!) to be a competitive investment management company. In the interest of their customers, they transferred management of… | Read More…
Every Paycheck A Fortune
“Every paycheck a fortune.” I love that phrase. It brings to mind a wide variety of ideas, but usually all the ways we’ve made it untrue. With every increase in income (another fortune!), we tend to increase our standard of living so that it doesn’t actually feel like that much more. Do you remember your… | Read More…
The Very First Step in Taking Control of Your Money
When I talk to people about their finances, most of them have concerns, and many have questions. The single most common question is, “I don’t know where to start.” Okay, it isn’t technically a question, but it is still a question. Thankfully, it is an easy one. So, where should you start? Whether you are… | Read More…
Simplify Your Life By Using More Bank Accounts
Who knew that more bank accounts could make your life simpler? Most people are looking for ways to improve their financial management. Maybe they need a complete overhaul, or maybe just a few small tweaks. There is usually room for some improvement. Though it seems counter-intuitive, I’ve found that maintaining multiple bank accounts helps me… | Read More…
You’re Richer Than You Think: A Review of David Bach’s The Latte Factor Book
“If you don’t know where you are going, you might not like where you end up.” In his latest book, The Latte Factor, bestselling financial author David Bach tells the fictionalized story of Zoey, a hardworking 20-something who is struggling to stay afloat financially. She meets Henry, who teaches her about his three secrets for… | Read More…