Posts in Debt Management
Hoping “New Year, New You” Makes Financial Goals Come True?
Hoping “New Year, New You” Makes Financial Goals Come True?

Per Apple’s new ad campaign: Most people quit their New Year's resolutions by the second Friday in January. Well, how are you doing?

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Estate Planning, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownBudget, Best Practice, CFP, family, Goals, Health, Investing, Kids, Local Town Pages, New Year, New Legislation, Net Worth, Joy, Purge, Portfolios, Savings, Tax Planning, Total Return, tax efficiency, Giving, Investment Management, Experience Spending, Tax Deadlines, taxes, Savings Prioritization, Your Money Your Independence
Holiday Cheer and Roth Conversions: A Gift to Your Future Self
Holiday Cheer and Roth Conversions: A Gift to Your Future Self

At its core, Roth conversion is like wrapping up retirement savings into a tidy, tax-advantaged gift package.

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownBest Practice, Roth IRA, Roth Conversion, Pro-rata rule, IRS, IRAs, Markets, 401(k), Required Minimum Distributions, Tax Planning, Traditional IRA, tax efficiency, taxes, Investing, Taxes, Tax Deadlines, Your Money Your Independence, Recharacterization
Use November to Finalize Year-End Success and Plan for 2025
Use November to Finalize Year-End Success and Plan for 2025

Wait until December, you risk falling into the apathy and distractions common from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Do you want that for your finances?

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Work Benefits, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownRMD, Goals, taxes, tax efficiency, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Tax Planning, Secure Act 2.0, Retirement, Semi-Retirement, HSA, Year-End, New Year, FSA, Planning for Unexpected, Financial Planning, Roth 401(k), Roth Conversion, Roth IRA, 529 Plan, Gifting, Budget, Best Practice, Focus on your why, family, Giving, Health Plans, HDHP, IRAs, Work Benefits, Local Town Pages, Open Enrollment, Portfolios, Required Minimum Distributions, Raising Kids, Solo K, tax planning, Investment Management, Investing, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Your Money Your Independence
Mastering the College Admissions Process
Mastering the College Admissions Process

Understanding nuances of early action and early decision, exploring merit-based aid, and utilizing 529 plans and loans effectively can impact you and your stressed college-bound teen's journey.

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Budgeting, College Planning, Debt Management, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownAdmissions, Best Practice, Budget, CSS Profile, College, Children, College Students, FAFSA, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, Financial Aid, Grants, Goals, Giving, Merit Scholarships, Minors, Kids, Student Debt, Savings, Early Action, Early Decision, 529 Plan, Parent PLUS loans, Tuition, Teenager, Raising Kids, Expected Family Contribution, Stretch IRA, Your Money Your Independence
Empower New Graduates with Gifts of Independence
Empower New Graduates with Gifts of Independence

While cash or gift cards are always appreciated, consider something with lasting value that can help launch college and high school graduates towards financial independence.

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Investing, Retirement Planning, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownAutomatic Payments, Best Practice, Budget, Subscriptions, Debt Management, Bond Portfolios, Bonds, CDs, Children, College, Cash, career, Cash Flows, Dividend Growth, Dividends, Earnings, ETF, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, family, Fee-Only Fiduciary, Financial Independence, Goals, Giving, grandchildren, Graduates, Grads, IRAs, IRA Contributions, Income Streams, Investing, Index, Joy, Kids, Local Town Pages, Student Loans, Gifting, Markets, Roth IRA, Portfolios, Rent, Raising Kids, Student Debt, Savings, Spending, High School Students, College Students, Tuition, Teenager, Technology, Traditional IRA, Multi-Generational Planning, diversification, Experience Spending, Your Money Your Independence, Your Money
Ready Homebuyers? The Fed’s New “No Urgency” Mantra Is A Gift.
Ready Homebuyers? The Fed’s New “No Urgency” Mantra Is A Gift.

If one waits for 5% mortgages, there are considerable opportunity costs. Potential homebuyers should prepare to act by utilizing these tools and best practices.   

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Economics 101, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownHouse, Mortgage, Financial Planning, Refinancing, Real Estate, Home Ownership, Best Practice, Debt Management, Focus on your why, Goals, HELOC, Interest Rates, Markets, Loan-To-Value, Prime Rate, Home Equity Line of Credit, adjustable rate mortgage, Rent, Savings, Tax Planning, taxes, Your Money Your Independence, Yields
At or Near Retirement? Time to Say Bucket!
At or Near Retirement? Time to Say Bucket!

Retirees view risks differently, but the greatest risk is behavioral. Let’s discuss a sustainable and tax-efficient approach to retirement distribution strategies.

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Your $ Your Independence, Work Benefits, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Retirement, Investing, Debt Management, BudgetingGlenn BrownBudget, Work Benefits, Best Practice, CDs, CFP, Dividends, Dividend Growth, Debt Management, Entitlements, family, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, Goals, Healthcare, Health, HELOC, IRAs, IRS, Income Streams, Investing, Inflation, Investment Management, IRA Withdrawals, Joy, 401(k), Solo K, Local Town Pages, Life Insurance, Medicare, Markets, Net Worth, Roth IRA, Portfolios, Pro-rata rule, Access to Equity, Required Minimum Distributions, Home Equity Line of Credit, Refinancing, Real Estate, Rebalancing, Savings, Traditional IRA, Total Return, Tax Planning, diversification, Savings Prioritization, distribution phase, distribution strategies, tax efficiency, taxes, Experience Spending, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Taxes, Index, Your Money Your Independence, Yields, Asset Allocation
Frugal February… A Different Take, One That’s Sustainable.
Frugal February… A Different Take, One That’s Sustainable.

Many use Frugal February as a month to not spend. While noble, how sustainable is this for improved outcomes Instead, let’s discuss actions that provide yearlong benefits plus a better time to start. 

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Budgeting, College Planning, Debt Management, Insurance, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Small Business, Tax Planning, Work Benefits, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownFrugal February, Budget, Savings, Savings Prioritization, Spending, Experience Spending, Planning for Unexpected, Tax Deadlines, taxes, Tax Planning, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Taxes, Home Equity Line of Credit, Credit, Access to Equity, Focus on your why, Retirement, F.I.R.E., Insurance, Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Credit Cards, Automatic Payments, Subscriptions, Purge, Storage, Feng Shui, Best Practice
If You Fail To Plan, You Are Planning To Fail.
If You Fail To Plan, You Are Planning To Fail.

Starting the New Year with the same old resolutions? Let’s recognize questionable resolutions, including three destined for failure, plus what should be considered for successful planning outcomes. 

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Debt Management, Budgeting, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Work Benefits, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownFinancial Independence, New Year, Resolutions, Planning for Unexpected, Estate Planning, Tax Planning, Retirement, Financial Planning, College planning, Savings, Savings Prioritization, Investing, Debt Management, Student Loans, Student Debt, HELOC, Semi-Retirement, Access to Equity, Best Practice, Budget, Income Streams, Work Benefits, n, Real Estate, Spending
Enjoy Every Sandwicher Moment.
Enjoy Every Sandwicher Moment.

July is National Sandwich Generation Month, celebrating approximately 15% of Americans between ages 40-60 sandwiched between caring for their young children and aging parents at the same time.

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Estate Planning, Debt Management, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your Independence, BudgetingGlenn BrownSandwichers, Caring for aging parents, Aging Parents, Local Town Pages, Raising Kids, Kids, Elder Care Law, Health Care, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, MA Laws, Health Insurance, Best Practice, Children, family, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, grandchildren, Goals, Long-Term Care, Planning for Unexpected, Multi-Generational Planning, Minors, n, Your Money Your Independence, Tax Planning
Secure Act 2: Electric Boogaloo?
Secure Act 2: Electric Boogaloo?

Sequels aren’t always a good thing, yet Congress has brought Secure Act 2 - reviewing the good, bad, and breakin’ star.

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Your $ Your Independence, Work Benefits, Tax Planning, Retirement Planning, Retirement, Investing, Debt ManagementGlenn BrownSECURE Act, Savings, Spending, RMD, Retirement, Roth IRA, Roth Conversion, IRA Withdrawals, Stretch IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP-IRA, Catch-up, 529 Plan, 401(k), Solo K, Age 73, 10-Year Rule, College, children, Entitlements, IRAs, Investing, IRA Contributions, 401k Match
New Year, New You… Not True?
New Year, New You… Not True?

Resolutions to improve your financial situation similar to one’s made last year? Here’s how and why to consider actions and timeframes, instead of focusing on desired outcomes.


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Budgeting, Debt Management, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Work BenefitsGlenn BrownBudget, Best Practice, Debt Management, Rebalancing, Employee Benefits, Economy, Financial Planning, Focus on your why, family, Semi-Retirement, Retirement, Roth IRA, Student Debt, Goals, Joy, Resolutions, 401(k), Work Benefits, Markets, Local Town Pages, Investing, Portfolios, Priorities, Spending, Savings, Tax Planning, Traditional IRA, Total Return, Your Money Your Independence, Your Money, Year-End, New Year
Never ask, “Where do you want to go to college?”
Never ask, “Where do you want to go to college?”

Take control, don’t be another victim to make your teen happy… spending won’t make them happy.

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College Planning, Budgeting, Debt Management, Investing, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownBudget, Best Practice, Debt Management, College, children, Cash, Children, Tuition, ROI, Refinancing, College Planning, Financial Planning, Financial Aid, FAFSA, EFC, Focus on your why, Financial Independence, Grants, Giving, Goals, Gifting, High School Students, Inflation, Raising Kids, Kids, Local Town Pages, Net Price Calculators, NPC, Investment Management, Investing, Priorities, Student Debt, Savings, Student Loans, Spending, Sandwichers, Social Media, Tax Planning, Teenager, Total Return, Your Money Your Independence, taxes, Expected Family Contribution
Resolutions Gone Bad: Rein In Your New Year.
Resolutions Gone Bad: Rein In Your New Year.

How to make financial resolutions that lead to successful planning outcomes.

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Debt Management, College Planning, Investing, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your Independence, Retirement, BudgetingGlenn BrownAsset Allocation, Sandwichers, taxes, Budget, Best Practice, Rebalancing, Debt Management, children, Children, Cash, Cash Flows, Dividend Growth, family, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, Fee-Only Fiduciary, Financial Independence, Goals, IRA Contributions, Income Streams, Investing, Investment Management, Joy, Kids, Markets, 401(k), Work Benefits, Local Town Pages, Priorities, Portfolios, Pension, Savings, Spending, Tax Planning, Total Return, tax planning, Your Money Your Independence, HELOC, Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit, Retirement, Resolutions, Experience Spending, Taxes, Year-End, Your Money
Inflation: Increase assets, borrow, and lock in debits.
Inflation: Increase assets, borrow, and lock in debits.

Action items based upon the old adage “Inflation rewards debtors and hurts creditors”.

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Economics 101, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownAsset Allocation, Bond Portfolios, Rebalancing, Bonds, Best Practice, Debt Management, Dividend Growth, Dividends, Economy, ETF, Financial Planning, Fed, HELOC, Interest Rates, Income Streams, Inflation, Investment Management, Investing, Markets, high yield stocks, Local Town Pages, Mortgage, House, ROI, Portfolios, Priorities, Home Equity Line of Credit, Refinancing, Retirement, Savings, Tax Planning, Total Return, Your Money, Your Money Your Independence, taxes, Tax Deadlines, Taxes, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Year-End, Yields, Entitlements, Social Security, Cash, CDs, TIPs, Treasury Inflation Protection Securities, REITs, Rent, Home Ownership
2020 - The Worst Year Ever… Really?
2020 - The Worst Year Ever… Really?

Turn down the hyperbole, 2020 offered great opportunities to refinance, save, invest, WFH, and focus on your why.

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Your $ Your Independence, Retirement Planning, Retirement, Debt Management, Estate Planning, Insurance, Budgeting, Tax Planning, Small Business, InvestingGlenn BrownAging Parents, Asset Allocation, Sandwichers, Tax Planning, Savings, Trusts, Tax Deadlines, taxes, Technology, Best Practice, Budget, Rebalancing, Debt Management, Cash Flows, Estate Planning, Employee Benefits, Economy, family, Financial Planning, Focus on your why, Goals, Health, House, Interest Rates, Investing, Investment Management, Will, 401(k), Raising Kids, Kids, Experience Spending, Life Insurance, Local Town Pages, College Refunds, Mortgage, Markets, Roth IRA, Priorities, Required Minimum Distributions, Home Equity Line of Credit, Refinancing, Retirement, Roth Conversion, IRAs, Student Debt, Student Loans, CARES Act, children, Caring for aging parents, Traditional IRA, Total Return, Taxes, Your Money Your Independence
Your HS Junior know EFC, NPC or Merit? They should.
Your HS Junior know EFC, NPC or Merit? They should.

College Planning is more than 529s and student loans, focus on how to take less of each.

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College Planning, Debt Management, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownSandwichers, Best Practice, Budget, Debt Management, Education, FAFSA, family, Merit Scholarships, High School Students, College Planning, College, Tuition, EFC, Expected Family Contribution, Grants, grandchildren, Teenager, children, Financial Planning, Financial Aid, guardians, Goals, Raising Kids, Kids, Local Town Pages, HELOC, Minors, NPC, Net Price Calculators, ROI, Priorities, Savings, Student Debt, Student Loans, Your Money Your Independence
Why worry or fight? Have the money talks without the walk.
Why worry or fight? Have the money talks without the walk.

How to have open discussions about finances for a healthy relationship.

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Budgeting, Debt Management, Insurance, Investing, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Your $ Your IndependenceGlenn BrownSandwichers, Budget, Best Practice, Debt Management, children, Cash Flows, Financial Planning, Financial Independence, family, Focus on your why, Goals, Health, Joy, Raising Kids, Priorities, Retirement, Savings, Spending, Your Money Your Independence, Local Town Pages
Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve… But Did You?
Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve… But Did You?

Instead of talk of the future, act on the constants - change and time.  

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Your $ Your Independence, Tax Planning, Small Business, Retirement Planning, Retirement, PlanDynamic, Investing, Insurance, Estate Planning, Debt Management, College Planning, BudgetingGlenn BrownAging Parents, Asset Allocation, Sandwichers, Capital Gains, Tax Planning, Savings, Student Debt, Small Business Owners, Student Loans, Budget, Best Practice, Rebalancing, Debt Management, College Planning, children, College, Caring for aging parents, Economy, Goals, Employee Benefits, Focus on your why, Financial Planning, Fee-Only Fiduciary, Education, Guardianship, Mortgage, Health, Healthcare, Home Equity Line of Credit, HELOC, IRAs, Investing, Investment Management, IRA Withdrawals, 401(k), Raising Kids, Work Benefits, Kids, Local Town Pages, Markets, Interest Rates, Income Streams, Total Return, Portfolios, Priorities, Refinancing, Retirement, Roth IRA, Roth Conversion, Estate Planning, Traditional IRA, Your Money Your Independence, Dividend Growth, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Yields