We all know the advice: “Budgeting is key.” But most of us ignore it—it feels restrictive, time‑consuming, and easy to push aside. Yet today, it’s not just about holding back on splurges; it’s about guarding against a new form of stealth theft: subscription creep. Unlike a one‑time robbery, these charges recur month after month—quietly draining… Continue reading Another Reason to Budget
Article Categories: Articles
Solo Leveling: building credit from zero
Why does credit matter? Maybe you never plan to swipe a credit card a single time in your life. You might assume that you don’t have to worry about your credit score, but the impact of your creditworthiness goes far deeper than your ability to attain a large credit card limit. In a sense, your… Continue reading Solo Leveling: building credit from zero
Retiring To a State with No Income Tax?
Writing this on a warm spring day in Wisconsin, it is easy to forget the frigid winter and icy roads that plague our state half of the year. Northerners planning their retirement often look wistfully at the warm southern climes. They may want the sun, palm trees, and beautiful beaches of a state like Florida,… Continue reading Retiring To a State with No Income Tax?
Helping Teens Find the Perfect Summer Job
Summer is the perfect time for teens to gain valuable work experience, but it’s important to look beyond just the pay rate when considering job opportunities. Here are some key factors to keep in mind: Encouraging teens to consider these factors can help them make informed decisions that benefit their long-term goals. Here are just… Continue reading Helping Teens Find the Perfect Summer Job
Meal Planning with ChatGPT Can Save You Time, Money, and Food Waste
Using AI to help with meal planning isn’t just convenient—it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, stick to a budget, or reduce food waste, ChatGPT can help streamline your weekly menu and make the most of what you already have on hand. Here’s how. 1. Smart Planning That Starts in Your Kitchen One… Continue reading Meal Planning with ChatGPT Can Save You Time, Money, and Food Waste
Are you using your HSA to its full potential?
If you have a Health Savings Account, have you considered how to best use it? Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were originally created to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to cover healthcare expenses. Today, they are a powerful tool that can be used to offer significant benefits not just for present-day medical costs, but… Continue reading Are you using your HSA to its full potential?
Don’t Make One Kid the Middleman
It’s surprisingly common: a parent leaves everything to one child and simply tells them, “You know what to do—just split it with your siblings.” But here’s the problem—this puts emotional pressure and financial risk on that child. Even if they do follow through, they might trigger unintended tax consequences, especially if the assets aren’t easy… Continue reading Don’t Make One Kid the Middleman
Should I Pay Down Debt or Save More?
If you have extra cash each month, should you pay down debt… or invest it? The math can help point the way, but personal comfort matters too. 🔢 The Math Imagine you’re deciding between: Seems like investing wins, right? Maybe. But let’s adjust for taxes. If that 7% return is in a taxable account, you… Continue reading Should I Pay Down Debt or Save More?
The Education Savings Lineup
Education Savings Options: Picking the Right Tool for the Job There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to saving for a child’s education. Each family has different goals—some are thinking strictly about college, others are juggling private K-12 expenses, and some just want to build up funds with flexibility. The key is choosing the right… Continue reading The Education Savings Lineup
What to do as you approach retirement
Are you getting excited about your upcoming retirement? You should be! The next chapter of your life is about to begin, and you can make it whatever you want it to be. But how do you get there from here? Define Your Retirement What will your retirement lifestyle look like? Where will you live? What… Continue reading What to do as you approach retirement
