Managing Money

I have friends – let’s call them Mike and Laura – who retired in 2023 with $1.2 million saved up. That’s a hefty number. They worked hard for it. And they figured they were set. Then they actually ran the math on their life in suburban LA. California income tax (up to 13.3%), property taxes on a pretty average three-bedroom, healthcare supplements, and just the general cost of existing…

I don’t know about you, but once I turned 60, I have had two ongoing thoughts: Sometimes, I feel like I am just getting started and other times, I feel like running out of time is the bigger worry than running out of money. Can anyone else relate to that? Life happens to all of us. And at the same time, life feels like it goes faster and faster as we get older…

A woman once told me exactly how much money she thought she needed before she could retire. She had done her homework. She knew what she spent each month, had looked at her Social Security benefits, reviewed her retirement accounts and thought carefully about the kind of life she wanted after work…

Imagine logging in to your pension portal and seeing two options. One option is a lump sum, where you might have done a double take because of the large amount. The other option includes a smaller monthly payment that could continue for life. Which option is worth more? But that might not be the best question…

I know, the concept of aligning your financial goals with your values sounds like one of those “blah blah blah” topics we have all heard about, shook our heads in agreement, and then went on our merry way. I always provide tools to help implement whatever my message is but again, we often read and go on our merry way, no action…

There’s a version of being good with money that gets a lot of praise. You don’t buy things you don’t need. You shop around. You keep things long after you could reasonably replace them. You save for emergencies. You think carefully before spending, and you’ve spent decades proving that you can delay gratification…

Rising grocery prices, increasing insurance premiums and the occasional unexpected expense can quickly eat into even the most carefully planned budget. Whether you’re saving for a dream vacation or simply trying to make ends meet, there are practical ways to improve your financial picture without having to sacrifice your lifestyle…

As a long-time single woman, I usually assess “big risk” questions purely on gut instinct and my stubborn belief that I will ultimately handle any problems or hiccups that may arise. This time, however, I wanted a smart, experienced, truth-telling team of women who would help me look at a business opportunity from every angle…

A woman once told me she needed a new sofa. Not wanted. Needed. The one in her living room was old, uncomfortable, and had been repaired more than once. She had found a replacement she loved, and buying it wouldn’t have put the slightest strain on her finances. But she couldn’t bring herself to order it…

“I think I want to do something different, but am I too old to change careers?” It’s a question I hear often as a career coach for women over 40. I work with women who know something needs to change. Some are considering a career pivot, while others are wondering if it’s finally time to explore something entirely new…