Money Management

That Nine-Digit Panic? Let's End It Now. Ever been ready to set up a direct deposit for that new job, or wire funds for a crucial payment, and BAM! The Form demands a "routing number"? If you're a Chase customer, you might then hit a wall of confusion.  Which number? Does...

That "Raise" Feeling... Followed by "Wait, Is That All?" A client walked into my office in 2019, fresh off receiving what she called her "first real raise" - 5% on her $72,000 marketing coordinator salary. She'd already mentally allocated every dollar: vacation fund, new wardrobe, finally start that emergency savings. Then her...

Ever feel like you're lost in a complex "Financial Maze" when it comes to your paychecks, taxes, and deductions? You're not just imagining it. Many clients I've guided over my 30 years as a financial planner initially guess their actual annual earnings. Navigating through this maze can be daunting, but utilizing tools...

Ever stared at your credit score and felt like it’s some mystical number decided by a secret society? You think you're alone? After 25 years as a financial planner, I've seen countless brilliant people, from "Credit Builder Caseys" just starting out, to "Debt Juggler Danas" managing multiple cards. And...

Alright, let's cut to the chase. You've got a check in your hand, and it looks like a secret code. You need to find the account and routing numbers, probably for direct deposit or to set up a payment. Mess this up, and your money could end up in...

When it comes to financial planning, one of the most important things to consider is how to protect yourself in case of an emergency. For many people, this means creating an emergency fund pile. An emergency fund (also called a cash reserve account or rainy day fund) is an...