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Secret to a More Peaceful & Happy Life

We've all heard the phrase" chill out". According to Webster, it means, to calm down, go easy or relax. If only we could live our lives this way. I've been thinking a lot about what obstacles stand in the way of our relaxing. I've been married…
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Time to Make a Difference

I've talked to many people about giving a little of what they make to a good charity and most say they haven't thought about it or don't know where to give. Many of us earn more money than we ever imagined possible.  I'm sure some people reading…
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Ideal 4 Point Retirement Plan

    Do you like my 4 point plan? This plan is a framework for what I consider to be an ideal retirement plan.  Part 1. In my ideal retirement plan, my wife and I would like to be able to spend and enjoy ALL (not just portfolio interest)…
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Better Alternative to Long-Term Care Insurance

This is the vehicle I use to project my money from potential long-term care costs. If you have accumulated financial wealth, any retirement plan worth a grain of salt addresses the potential cost of long-term medical care.  You or your…
Costly wedding
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Expensive Wedding Reception is a Poor Financial Decision

Is an expensive wedding real worth it? I think spending a fortune on your child's wedding reception is one of the worst financial decisions you could possibly make. The opportunity cost of what they could have at retirement had some of that…
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Do You Have Financial Peace of Mind?

Do you have financial peace of mind? You are where you are today because of the decisions you have made in your life. We usually get what we deserve in life.  When it comes to money, how you handle your monthly cash flow is the single most…
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How A Know It All Kid Leads to Financial Peace

Keep you on track and enable you to reach your financial destination on time A recent holiday road trip reminded me of the need and value of consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Through a Christmas break trip driving from Chicago…
Mexico travel tips

How to Save Money on Your Mexican Vacation

  I love a Mexican beach vacation. Having traveled to many beach towns in Mexico, I take for granted how much I know about traveling there. The sandy beaches are beautiful and with a fantastic exchange rate for Americans, it's a great…
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How My Kid’s Awesome Budget Worked Like a Parent’s Dream!

As a CFP® and a mother of three teenager’s and one young adult, I am often asked how I taught my kids to be “money-wise.”  It is mostly assumed, because of my credentials, that I have done it right and my kids have never made a foolish…
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How I Raised My Kids to be Financially Successful at Their Expense

      Did you raise your kids to be prudent spenders and good savers of money? After a slow start, I turned it around and can see the changes in my kids. It's not too late for you to do the same for your kids. It's much easier…
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Amazing Tax Saving Opportunity for Entrepreneurs!

The dream retirement plan (Solo 401k) for self-employed people! I set up my financial planning practice in Glen Ellyn back in 1996. One of my first concerns was how I would save for retirement as an entrepreneur.  At the time, the best plan…
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3 Retirement Obstacles

Getting older just kind of happens.  The next thing you know you've hit 50 and can't believe you are that old. Many of my clients are fiftyish and have their focus squarely on getting their childthrough the college years and/or retirement.…
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Why a Zero Credit Card Balance Can Be Misleading

Yes, you read that correctly, zero credit card balances can be very misleading. I'm not saying that carrying a credit card balance is a good thing. What I am saying is the convenience of whipping out plastic to pay for things is a MAJOR impediment…
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Why You'll Never Spend All of Your Money in Retirement

Creating a private pension could be just what you need to maximize retirement income. Everywhere we look we are told to save now for our retirement years. Nothing wrong with that advice, but you should know that you're unlikely to enjoy a…