Financial Planning Blog

  Some people are shocked when they hear my transparent, financial advisory fee. Some of those people have 401(k) accounts or IRAs where they pay commissions. However, they don’t know what share class means nor have an idea how much they pay...

When we think about what it means to be rich, we often think about both income and wealth. High-earners like doctors and lawyers might be considered rich. But so are people with a lot of money in the bank or a big house. But when...

I often hear people say that buying a house is the best tool for building wealth. Is that really true? That depends on many factors. In this blog I look at how credit score will impact that conclusion. Some people are really...

The health savings account (HSA) is often misunderstood financial planning tool. A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United States who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Some people confuse...

If you are losing sleep wondering if you have enough retirement savings you are not alone. A recent study by Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement (Study) finds many middle income boomers have retirement savings worries. While one-third feel very...

Credit cards make spending money easy but without making us think much about how much we are spending. Then the bill comes and our payment is bigger than last month’s. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), I often hear “Mr. Brewer...

  Some so-called financial advisors refer to themselves as financial doctors. We expect much from our doctors. Many doctors are awesome. I credit my kids to my own fortunate second opinion. Hopefully you will benefit. Financial Advisor- Solutions before advice1 You go to...

  Are you feeling financial stress? You’re not alone. Financial Finesse reports1 that 55% of women ages 30 to 55, with minor kids and household incomes less than $60,000 a year, report “high” or overwhelming” levels of financial stress. They aren’t...

No small business owner I have talked to knows their 401k plan fees or their effective tax rate. One of the questions on the Envision Wealth Structural Assessment is “Do you know your effective federal income tax rate? I have yet to...

Are your social concerns incorporated into an impact investing plan for your retirement or other long term goals? Maybe you have had no training in investments. Maybe your first introduction was the enrollment meeting for your 401(k). Maybe you saw many...

     Feelings of insecurity often pop-up women when the subject of women’s retirement prospects come up. You are not alone.  The 2014 Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey, found this insecurity to be a global problem. Only 20% of women think they are on track to achieve...

What would a financial wellness check uncover about you? You’re likely familiar with getting a health wellness check before involving yourself in more stressful activities. Should you apply that same thought process to your finances by way of a financial wellness check? I think there...