Awareness

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

Is it really better to wait to claim Social Security until you turn 70?

I challenge the conventional wisdom that you should wait until age 70 to claim Social Security benefits in order to get the most out of it. According to US News, the average monthly Social Security benefit as of 2022 is … Read MoreRead More

2021 in review: The top posts of the year

A look back at the top posts of 2021 on this site, including both my favorites and the ones readers viewed most. Like most people who are engaging with the pandemic, 2021 felt both swift and eternal. It’s hard to … Read MoreRead More

How to find out how high the minimum wage should be

There used to be a link between minimum wage and worker productivity, but this has diverged since the 1960’s. It’s time to bring this back. Anyone can be making minimum wage. It’s like that Bill Hicks quote: “Anybody can be … Read MoreRead More

Do you spend too much on restaurants?

It’s common for people to say that they spend “too much” on restaurants and other food delivery services, but why? And is it true? If there’s one thing I hear from basically everyone, whether they are a client, a prospective … Read MoreRead More