I’m guilty. There, I said it. And, it feels great to confess.  I am among the millions of women, globally and across generations, who fall into a distinct category—highly-educated, affluent married women, widows or divorcees who defer significant financial decisions to their spouses or partners. Admittedly, the reassuring news is that I’m in excellent company. … Continue reading →

It’s one of those statistics that is both surprising and, well, not surprising. Baby Boomers, the generation that led the charge into no-fault divorces in the 1970s and 1980s, continue to lead other age groups in divorce into their retirement years. In fact, boomer divorce rates are speeding up. A recent Pew research study found… Continue reading →

Author and personal-finance guru Suze Orman ruffled a lot of feathers in a recent podcast, saying that people need $5 million — maybe even $10 million — in order to retire. Orman was responding to a question about the “financial independence, retire early,” or “FIRE,” movement, a growing online trend in which people in their… Continue reading →

Yes, you read that right. You could be getting a 16% return on your money right now, and it’s not that hard to do. As Mark Cuban, the “Shark Tank” star, billionaire entrepreneur, and NBA franchise owner explains, just pay off your debts. Americans carry an enormous amount of personal debt. The personal finance site… Continue reading →

The history of the most common American retirement plan — the workplace 401(k) — is long, but the essential idea is simple. Save money today and lower your current income taxes. Put in pre-tax money while you are working and take money out later, and pay the income taxes when you take money out in… Continue reading →

I once had a client who asked me, point-blank: “Do I have enough money that I can fly business class the rest of my life?” So, we had a few discussions and I drew up her financial plan. The answer was “yes.” Talk about a happy customer! And that’s the important point about financial planning… Continue reading →

Remember your college days? Football games, late nights studying, parties and fun — the American college experience is unique and, for many, a transformative period. You get to play at adult responsibilities like showing up and caring for yourself, but with a safety net. No wonder some folks stay for more than four years! Increasingly,… Continue reading →