• Diversify. Invest in stocks from a variety of industries so that when one industry is having trouble, another one will be healthy. • Watch valuations. If you overpay, even the best stock is no winner. • Tune out the noise. Avoid checking prices and news on your stock every […]

Most individuals are instructed to get an education and then a job.  Then, after landing a solid job, the recommendation is to save a percentage of each paycheck for the next 40+ years until retirement.  This linear path from school until death, means spending the majority of each day at […]

As winter comes to an end and we head into the spring/summer, a parallel can be drawn between the seasons of weather and the seasons of money. There are four financial seasons of life that include accumulation, preservation, distribution and succession. Approaching your finances with these four seasons in mind […]

There is an integrity and character demonstrated in how you deal with your debts. Some people freely incur debts with no thought on how they’ll be paid. Your money habits (aka credit worthiness) are an indicator of how you deal with debt. Strive to do what’s right in everything you […]

Continuing the theme of getting your house in order by focusing on one task at a time, your family’s financial footing can be established before February. Last week we highlighted life insurance. This week let’s consider trusts and wills. Fact is, most Americans don’t have a will, let alone a […]

Let’s consider how to apply the miracle of the Resurrection beyond our Spirit. What’s the difference between a nice neighborhood and one that’s not? The same buildings are north and south of the city; however, the inherent value of real estate is considerably lower south of Madison. The one thing […]

Saving money is in. Spending it like you’re not financially literate is out. If you get a tax refund this year and have outstanding debt, any kind of debt, the best use of that money is to pay the debt down or off. Here are some additional ways to use […]

Delaying even a small task or issue can most times result in a big expensive problem or project. Kicking the can or putting off until later can sometimes result in very expensive lessons. Procrastination costs — big time. We’ve all done it: Put off something until tomorrow that could have […]

Getting your tax refund back on a prepaid card may sound convenient, but does it make financial sense? For those without bank accounts, a prepaid debit card may be the fastest way to get an income tax refund. It’s an option offered by all the major tax preparers. But for […]

Be clear about how you think of money and how you spend it. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it can certainly make you comfortable. Let’s consider the time it takes you to earn money. Let’s say you earn $15 an hour at your job, and you’re considering purchasing a TV […]