#financial-planning

#financial-planning

My friends and I are early 30s professionals living in one of America's most expensive cities and making middle-class incomes. None of us can afford to buy or save for a home here. We all rent, but we're not broke. We save for kids and retirement and illness, but a home isn't in the cards. But recently, we think we might have found an unconventional loophole.

Be safe. Have fun. Boys lie.

For a while, the biggest professional problem Brad Morgan faced was figuring out how to get toothpaste into a tube. Before you chuckle ... "Believe it or not, pumping toothpaste is one of the most complicated phenomenons you'll ever experience. It's a fluid that, as you pump it faster, it gets thinner," Morgan said. "So without going into great detail, I was working with MIT professionals, the smartest of the smartest on how we can pump toothpaste faster. That was my job."

A related misstep is choosing between the lump sum and annuity on instinct instead of analysis, even though that decision locks in tax timing, investment options, and how long the money is likely to last. Financial writers note that many winners default to the lump sum without modeling scenarios with professionals and understanding that, after taxes, the headline $1.7 billion quickly shrinks.

Calendars fill, inboxes overflow, and suddenly you're juggling festive plans, family logistics, travel costs, year-end deadlines, and a swirl of expectations. It's no surprise that even the most grounded financial intentions can get pushed aside this time of year. But December doesn't have to be the month where your financial confidence takes a back seat. With a little clarity and a few intentional practices, you can enjoy the season fully while still honoring the goals you've worked hard to set.

A financial advisor is a professional who helps individuals and families manage their money and grow their wealth by offering guidance on a variety of financial topics. They help with investments, retirement planning, taxes, budgeting, insurance, and long-term financial goals. A good financial advisor assesses your current financial situation, helps you create a personalized strategy, and adjusts that plan as your life changes.

Discrepancies in salaries within a marriage are common and can stem from differences in career fields, education, work experience, or personal choices about balancing family and professional life. While income gaps don't inherently cause problems, they can create tension if couples don't openly communicate about expectations, financial responsibilities, or feelings related to money and contribution. Some partners may feel pressure, guilt, or resentment depending on who earns more, while others may struggle with societal norms around gender and income.

The prospect of taking an extended unpaid break from work can be daunting. But with the right financial planning, it can be an opportunity to pause, spend time with family and explore new avenues

Losing your job doesn't mean you suck.

But that same morning, a $900 charge for her GLP-1 prescription landed on her credit card. Whatever she was saving at the supermarket felt dwarfed by the cost of her medication. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are being hailed as medical breakthroughs. They're not just changing waistlines-they're changing household budgets. And as these shifts ripple through everyday spending, the financial industry has an important role to play in helping people rethink, rebalance, and plan for this new reality.

You worked hard for your money all your life so keeping the greatest part of it out of the taxman's icy grip begins by planning early. There are numerous paths to take to minimize your retirement tax bill, and some are quite complicated and complex strategies that need years of planning to come to fruition. Because retirement planning is no longer a straightforward effort, consult with a tax professional and a financial planner early on to make best use of the options available.

I am terrified about paying for college or trade school,

I set aside extra money for my kids, mortgage, bills, and car payments. My original goal was to reach $12,000 in savings. That way, when I started my coaching business, I could jump right into it without affecting my family financially. I ultimately reached about $10,200 before my exit. I'm glad I did that because it gave me some peace, and I wasn't thrown into a scarcity mindset when I left.