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The stock market took a dive as soon as Donald Trump started a war with Iran. Oil prices have spiked: domestically and even worse, abroad. To be clear, the loss of life in Trump's war with Iran is heartbreaking. But as it pertains to the purpose of this post, I'm going to hone in on the current stock market turbulence. The short-term risk to our financial markets is significant. Without any capitulation in sight, the thought of the war spilling over into a long-lasting, full-

Original Post: 4/4/25 Updated Post: 2/10/25 When times get tough, my wife and I have always saved money fast. A harmonious blend of discipline, unwavering determination, and mutual support. Here are the four steps we use that will be most beneficial for you. Brian and Hope Page Set a Savings Goal Schedule uninterrupted time together  to create a savings goal that is laser-focused on a priority in your marriage. Perhaps it is a down payment for buying a home, an emergency savi

What Parents Should Know Before Choosing a Long-Term Savings Strategy for Their Kids Table of Contents What Are Trump Accounts? What Is a Kiddie Roth IRA? Trump Accounts vs. Kiddie Roth IRAs: The Details For Most, Kiddie Roth IRAs Are Better Than Trump Accounts Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress passed the self-proclaimed “ One Big Beautiful Bill Act ,” signed into law on July 4th of 2025. Included in the bill are Trump Accounts for children.  This post compares Tru

Bank loyalty used to be a virtue. You opened an account in college, stayed put for decades, and trusted your bank would take care of you. That world is gone. According to Raisin’s 2026 State of Consumer Banking Report , 65% of Americans have switched banks at least once, and nearly one-third have switched multiple times.  Yet here’s the contradiction. While Americans say they care about value and convenience, most are still leaving real money on the table. Only 7% of American

Many of our parents taught us to save for a rainy day, using examples such as unanticipated vehicle repairs and medical emergencies. The financial turbulence many experience has evolved from unexpected expenses to significant changes in monthly income, commonly referred to as income volatility. Income Volatility Income volatility refers to fluctuations in a person's income over time, caused by factors such as changes in employment, hours worked, or salary. Income volatility c

When my wife and I graduated from college, we were broke, just married, and about to become parents. We were staring down her student loan and earning entry-level salaries.  The conventional wisdom was clear. We had two full-time incomes. The world was telling us to stretch our budget and buy a starter home, leaving little room to save, invest, or absorb surprises. The math didn't sit right, so we chose the path less traveled – celebrating the joy of family in other ways whil

We were just out of college, less than broke, with a surprise baby on the way. Scared that we weren't ready to step into the adult world, we scrambled for solutions to start life off on the right foot. We became laser-focused on building financial security for our family, ensuring our soon-to-be child grew up in a safe neighborhood and attended a great school, and building wealth to pay for his college education. We did the unusual, which any usual person like me can do. We p

1. Create a budget Knowing how much you can spend will help you keep your spending in check. Explore our Budgeting articles . 2. Make a list Stick to it and avoid impulse purchases. 3. Buy in bulk For non-perishable items, buying in bulk often means a lower price per unit. 4. Use coupons Coupons can offer significant savings. 5. Buy store-brand products They often taste just as good as brand-name items but cost less. 6. Plan meals for the week This can help you avoid wasting

New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows a steep drop in how confident people feel about their finances. In the November Survey of Consumer Expectations, more respondents said their financial situation is worse now than it was a year ago, and most expect their finances to decline further over the next year. As a spouse or parent, we are responsible for planning and saving for the unexpected. The older we get, the more experience we have with unpredictable cha

At least 1 in 4 married couples are losing out on free money from their employer's matching contributions because they are failing to coordinate their retirement contributions. The study authors who reported these findings estimate that the average foregone match is nearly $700 annually. I know you know this, but, as a reminder, the company will only contribute to your retirement if you contribute to your retirement, that is an employer match. For a thirty-year old married c

When couples consider their financial future, they often focus on saving more, investing wisely, or budgeting more effectively. However,...

Investing for retirement as a couple often feels overwhelming. Different incomes, mismatched risk appetites, and the complexity of...

Saving money as a couple can feel daunting, especially when life is busy and expenses keep piling up. But setting clear financial goals...

There's a lot of volatility in the stock market right now. The daunting daily headlines of economists cutting GDP growth projections due...

The decision to hire a financial professional to manage your investments can have a significant impact on your financial future as a...

For many dual-career couples, planning for retirement is a crucial aspect of financial management. However, a startling number of couples...

Our love affair with the American Stock Market took a break on Valentine’s Day this year. In mid-November, Hope and I started our...

Do you trust the current government to safeguard your Social Security right now? I don't.  I also have never factored Social Security...

A friend of mine reached out because he was concerned about the financial headlines and wanted to talk to his wife about it. I told him...

For dual-career married couples navigating the intricacies of personal finance together, striking the right balance between paying off...