Decisions

Why you should get a refund and not store credit

When you make a return, many retailers want to refund your money to store credit or a gift card, but here’s why you don’t want to do that. I had to return an item the other day on Amazon. It … Read MoreRead More

What are the credit cards I use in my business?

Take a look behind the scenes and learn about the credit cards I use in my financial coaching business and why. I started my financial coaching business informally almost a decade ago, but it was a few years later that … 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

Don’t let your husband manage all of your money

In our culture, it’s not uncommon for a woman to let her husband take care of all of the household finances. Here’s why that’s a problem. Disclaimer: I’m going to leap into the mono- and heteronormative for this post, but … Read MoreRead More

What to do with company stock

Some employees receive company stock as part of their total compensation package. Here’s what you want to do with it (and why). Note: This is not financial advice. Please see my disclosure policy for details. If you’re fortunate enough to … Read MoreRead More

What to do after an emergency has passed

Dealing with an emergency is challenging, but there is also an important process for getting back to normal after an emergency has passed. Mostly everyone has some experience of what it’s like to deal with an emergency. The pandemic has … Read MoreRead More

How will you spend your time in retirement?

While preparing for the financial aspect of retirement is important, it’s also vital to figure out how you’ll spend your time too. When you think of retirement, what comes to mind? (Okay, you probably are feeling some dread that you’ll … Read MoreRead More

The Loan Simulator: Finding your best option for student loan repayment

Explore an official tool called the “Loan Simulator” which shows you how to find the best repayment strategy for your student loans. I have a confession. When it comes to student loans, I can’t keep the different repayment options in … 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 start an emergency fund when money is tight

When money is tight, an emergency fund is even more important. Here are some strategies to get you to put something, anything, away. You need an emergency fund. An emergency fund is not savings. You need that too, but that’s … Read MoreRead More