We all like to be around people like ourselves. It’s human nature. The more we have in common with others, the easier it is to communicate. The same goes for financial institutions. We want our financial institution to know what products and services we want. This is what gives rise…

Life used to be really simple. I don’t remember when it was simple, but I guess it’s true, because people say it all the time. I do know that it is more complicated now than it used to be. We understand when we need a car, we either lease it…

Should you run? Play dead? Make yourself look big? Get out the pepper spray? These are the options you have to decide on when facing a bear quickly and wisely. If you rely on your lizard brain, you will probably turn and run. If you researched the subject before you…

I really wanted to buy it. It was new, shiny, fun and expensive. It was a “want,” but not a “need.” And I didn’t have any money on me. The salesperson said, “No problem. We have a program for that. We call it ‘Buy now — Pay later.’” Great, I…

I use my credit card for everything, because I like to fly for free. I also pay the entire balance a couple of times per month and have not paid any credit card interest in over 30 years. However, the credit score algorithms were treating me the same as if…

When my wife and I got married 37 years ago, we took a week-long honeymoon which cost the better part of our savings. I know, I know. But we were young and starry-eyed. The day after we returned and started back into real life again, I was notified by phone…

Most people don’t realize that when they spend money, they also activate the same area of your brain as when they feel physical pain. Subscription services and auto-billing are the leaks in your financial plan that you don’t pay attention to. Automatic subscription payments take away the “pain of paying.”…

My wife and I recently retired. The other day our daughter asked us what she and her husband should be doing to retire comfortably when their time comes around. We had not thought about it in a while but started giving her some strategies we used. The first thing we…

I’m really a patient guy. Everybody tells me so. But sometimes my patience is tested to the brink. Last week, I was standing in line at the grocery store. I was running a little late, but no problem. There was just one person ahead of me, and the cashier was…