Awareness

Can anyone become wealthy?

There are two competing worldviews in financial success: that anyone can get ahead, and that no one can. So, can anyone become wealthy? After being a financial coach for a decade or so, I’ve learned that there are two primary … Read MoreRead More

Is now a good time to buy I Bonds?

The inflation-adjusted Series I Bonds seems like a good place to park your money, but is that actually the case? Nothing here is financial advice. Please see my Disclosure Policy. I recently got this question sent to me from one … Read MoreRead More

Buy now pay later: Silicon Valley wants the money you don’t have

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) firms like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay have revived an age-old idea of helping people buy things they can’t afford. I’ve spent a good portion of my adult working life in companies aligned with, if not … Read MoreRead More

What high prices have in common with chili peppers

The solution to the mouth burn from eating chili peppers is surprisingly similar to the solution to the recent rise in prices. Everyone is talking about high prices. I’m not sure everyone understands what’s going on with them, or how … Read MoreRead More

Going for my AFC certification: Taking the exam

I share my experiences preparing for and subsequently taking the AFC exam, including lessons learned along the way. More in this series: Why I decided to go for my AFC® certification Where I was a year later How I got … Read MoreRead More

How to find out if you have secret savings bonds

The U.S. Treasury has a site called “Treasury Hunt” where you can find out if you have savings bonds in your name (or not). When I was a kid, I remember there was a special on TV called “The Mystery … Read MoreRead More

Even when things go wrong, the world is an amazing place

A brief meditation on perspective when things go wrong, in that so much that we don’t notice continues to be not only right, but amazing. My laptop died this past week. I was already planning on upgrading, as I knew … Read MoreRead More

The Target problem: Managing (over)spending at the Everything Store

Target and other big retailers that sell a wide range of products present a challenge to those who wish to track their spending. Target has been around for decades, but it only hit my radar in college, when the first … Read MoreRead More

Debunking Ben & Arthur: How to win at investing even if you start later

The parable from the Dave Ramsey team about Ben and Arthur is fatally flawed, which is good news for pretty much everyone. Everyone knows that you should start saving for retirement early. And that makes sense. The sooner you start, … Read MoreRead More

Going for my AFC certification: How I got my 1,000 hours

I detail how I met the 1,000 Experience Hours requirement to become an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). Two years ago, I decided to get my Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification. While I believe that you don’t need official credentials to … Read MoreRead More