Not long ago, a reader shared something that stayed with me. She told me she wasn’t worried about retirement itself she loved her routine, her home, and the rhythm of her days. What kept her up at night was a quiet question she couldn’t quite answer: “What if something changes and I’m not ready?” She … Read more
For most of your adult life, the answer to that question was simple. Your money came from a paycheck. You showed up. You worked. You were paid. Taxes were taken out. Benefits were deducted. And what was left landed in your bank account like clockwork. There was a rhythm to it. In retirement, that rhythm … Read more
There is a wonderful kind of privilege that comes with working hard for the last three or four decades… Savings are finally growing, the debt and/or mortgage is being paid down, and finally it feels like we can breathe just a little and enjoy life! And sometimes this means we are fortunate enough to be … Read more
It’s that time of the year when tax documents start to appear. The 1099s, W-2s, Social Security, and pension statements all start arriving. And you might be wondering, did I overpay or underpay? So let’s address a common misconception, that tax planning for 2025 ended on December 31. True, many moves that can lower taxes … Read more
A reader once shared something that stopped me in my tracks: “I’m not worried about how much money I have. I’m worried about whether it will show up when I need it.” This is a common mindset. Many women living on a fixed income feel financially responsible, organized, and careful yet still uneasy. Not because … Read more
Everything doesn’t suddenly change overnight going from December 31 to January 1, but because we turn the page of a calendar and get used to writing a new year when we date something, it feels different. The good news is that we get to choose what we give our energy to next. After the rush … Read more
Not long ago, a woman in her early 60s asked me a question I hear more often than you might expect: “My home is paid off, but I still worry about money in retirement. Am I supposed to sell it someday or just hope I never need to?” She was not looking for a loan. … Read more
It may seem a little strange, but budgeting can be great fun, leaving any money saved to splurge on rainy days and holidays. Sometimes we may just want peace of mind, knowing if something unexpected comes up, we will be OK. I have to say I am really enjoying budgeting, it makes me feel in … Read more
Retirement is supposed to feel like a release. You worked hard. You planned. You were careful. You did the responsible things. So, when people finally reach this stage, they often expect to feel lighter. More relaxed. More at ease. And yet, many don’t. If you’re retired or close to it and still feel uneasy or … Read more
Many of us like to think that we are being practical in an effort to be more efficient. This can be especially true when it comes to money later in life. We want a solution that feels simple, efficient, and doesn’t result in added stress. That’s one reason why many people turn to joint accounts, … Read more