As the US presidential election cycle enters its final days leading up to the election on November 8th, it’s hard to avoid all the “experts” opining on the impact of the elections on the investment markets. Some may wonder if they should somehow change their portfolio in light of election results.
Given the ever-increasing cost of college and that 72% of undergraduates take out student loans to help pay for college, it’s worth understanding the student loan choices.
Every summer when I spend a week or two in Tahoe for vacation with my family, I fantasize about owning a cabin there. This summer, I decided to analyze what it would actually take to make this dream a reality.
I wrote earlier this summer about using the classic lemonade stand to teach your kids about money. Back-to-school shopping is another great opportunity to continue the financial education.
Now that most kids are out of school, parents might start hearing the dreaded “I’m bored” if their kids aren’t in camps all summer. The next time you hear that phrase, instead of just telling them to go outside and play, encourage them to start a lemonade stand and use the opportunity to teach them some useful personal finance and entrepreneurship skills.
Given the many competing demands on our money, many parents find themselves in a panic when their kids enter high school and they realize they have very little saved to pay for college. With the average annual cost of a private university now exceeding $45,000 and the average cost of a public university close to $25,000, most people can’t easily pay for college out of cash flow.
With the average cost of a private college now exceeding $45,000 and the average cost of a public university close to $25,000, you might wonder if sending your kids to college is still a good investment. Recent research indicates it still is.
I recently attended the Wisdom 2.0 mindfulness conference in San Francisco and wondered what connections I could draw from the conference to my financial planning work with clients. After some reflection, I think it comes down to purposes and leading a fulfilling life.
While it is often said that money can’t buy you happiness, it is also true that getting your financial house in order and having a clear idea of your goals and how you plan to get there can improve your mental well-being and reduce the stress in your life. And we know that a reduction in stress can lead to better health, and better health leads to happiness.
With the holidays upon us, my thoughts have turned to gift giving. My kids are already preparing their lists for Santa. While it can be tempting to fulfill their every request, have you ever noticed how quickly they become bored with the toys and games you buy them? How about giving them a gift with longer-term benefits?