Imagine you’re about to set out on a road trip. You would absolutely need to have an idea of where you wanted to go – north, south, east, or west. You would have to work within the confines of how much time you had for this trip – that would determine how far you could go. Your financial goals are no different than that road trip; failing to plan means planning to fail. Even if you haven’t given retirement much thought, in terms of what it looks like and feels like, chances are Read on...
A Plan to Overcome Panic Paralysis
The first time I discovered the power of panic paralysis, my husband and I were on the verge of moving out of a one-bedroom apartment and buying our first home. We had been aggressively saving to buy our freedom from our landlord. I liked stock-pile mode: we controlled it; and it was relatively simple – we put aside as much money as we could and we were able to go at our own pace. We were building something, together. But the prospects of turning all that money over made me feel beholden Read on...
Life’s Unpleasantries
My husband was up to something. He was pounding away at the computer and printing like a madman. When I didn’t hear the whir of the printer, there was the distinct sound of the three-hole punch chewing its way through paper. “I’m working on something,” is all he would say. It seemed to excite him, this project. I wondered what it was. When “it” appeared, it wasn’t impressive looking. It was a plain white three-ring binder. “Open it,” is all he said, smiling. I wondered if it was Read on...
Ignorance is Bliss … for Your Sales Guy
Before my children understood what a lollipop was, it was very easy to swap it out with an apple slice. I was looking after their best interests, after all. But what if I wasn’t a concerned mother? What if I were a manipulative saleswoman needing to hit a certain commission level on apples that month to stay employed; or worse, to win a crystal paperweight and bragging rights among my very competitive colleagues? My example may seem strange, but if we apply this to personal finance, and not Read on...