Message from the CEO - We're Ready to Bloom!
Ten years ago, I had a crazy idea to create a company focused exclusively on working with a population of people that I knew the financial services industry was not serving properly. When I was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, I was instructed to not even meet with a prospective client unless I knew for certain that they had over $250,000 in investable assets, otherwise they wouldn’t even count as a new client. This advice never sat well with me, especially as I met people who were looking for guidance and didn’t want to have to figure it out on their own.
Read More
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Black Friday Shopping on a Budget
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still the most popular times of year to shop. Whether you’re buying for others or just for yourself, the lure of a great deal is hard to resist. While there is nothing wrong with snagging some buys at a discount, those purchases can easily add up to more than you were expecting. Here are some tips to make the most out of the deals without getting carried away.
Read More
4 Ways to Afford Last-Minute Holiday Travel
The holidays are the busiest—and often most expensive—time of year to travel. The top tip for scoring affordable holiday travel is to book it early, but if you’ve missed that boat, you’re not completely out of luck. Here are four tips to make it home for the holidays, even if you’re on a budget.
Read More
What Is Financial Fear? And How to Manage It
It’s spooky season! And do you know what can scare us even more than creepy ghosts and killer clowns? Our finances! Many people would rather walk through a haunted house than look at their credit card bill or retirement balance. Fear is a response to feeling threatened and it’s a normal part of life designed to keep us safe, but there are actions you can take to reduce your financial fear.
Read More
Where Should I Keep My Money?
Putting your money to work for you is a common financial goal. We get it—you work hard for your money so it’s only fair that your money works hard for you too! But optimizing your finances doesn’t always mean shooting for the highest return on every dollar. In fact, that’s a good way to destabilize your finances because a higher potential reward also means higher risk. Instead, think about what level of return is reasonable for the purpose of your money.
Read More
5 Tips for Confidently Giving to Causes You Care About
Whenever people are suffering, it’s natural to want to help. Donating money is one of the most popular and effective ways to provide assistance, especially for a cause that’s not geographically close to home. But the opportunity to help also comes with challenges including analysis paralysis, scammers, and budget constraints. Here are five tips to confidently give to causes you care about.
Read More
What is an Employer Match? And How to Get The Most Out of It
We all love free money. And while an employer match on your 401(k) isn’t exactly free money—it’s actually compensation for your hard work—it sometimes feels that way. To make sure that you are getting the most out of your employer match, you do need to know a thing or two about it.
Read More
What Should I Do If I Can't Afford My Student Loan Payments?
This month, millions of borrowers are making their first federal student loan payment in three and a half years. During this time, you may have moved, bought a house, purchased a car, had kids, adopted a pet, paid off debt, taken on new debt, lost a job, and gotten a new job. Even without any of these big changes in your life, your financial landscape probably looks a lot different than it did in March 2020. If you find that your student loan payment is stretching your budget, it’s time to consider other options.
Read More
When Should I Ask for a Raise as a Freelancer?
Most W-2 employees can only dream of setting their own pay, but as a freelancer, you can make it happen. It’s an amazing opportunity, but also a lot of responsibility because you are the only one who can give yourself a raise.
Read More
5 Budgeting Apps To Get You On Track
When you need help keeping track of your finances, your first instinct might be to try a budgeting app—and for good reason! These apps can display your whole financial picture in one place, help you understand your cash flow, and illuminate your spending trends. There are many great options out there so we reviewed a handful of the most popular tools to help you choose.
Read More
4 Ways to Fit Student Loan Payments in Your Budget
With federal student loan payments resuming next month, it’s time to make a plan to adjust your budget. Here are four ways to do just that.
Read More
Does Your Credit Card Need Some Self-Care?
Between travel, get-togethers, and other social events, summer is hard on our credit cards. While we kick back and relax, they work overtime to pay for our fun. If you worked your credit cards a little too hard this summer, fall is the perfect time to give them a break with these five tips.
Read More
4 Ways to Get Motivated With Your Money
Most financial journeys are not linear—they have ups and downs. As such, your motivation will ebb and flow too, and that’s ok! When you are ready to get back on track, try these tips to boost your motivation.
Read More
3 Student Loan Initiatives You Should Know About
If you’re confused about where you stand with student loans, you’re not alone. Over the past year, so many programs have been announced that it can be hard to keep track of them all, never mind understanding whether they apply to you. Here’s a roundup of three federal student loan initiatives that you should know about:
Read More
10 Tips For Digital Nomads & Extended Sabbaticals
Have you ever dreamt about traveling the world for six months, a year, or indefinitely? Whether you’re a digital nomad or someone wanting to travel for an extended period of time, making the best use of your money can add months of time to your trip and save you countless headaches along the way.
Read More
6 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping
Summer is coming to an end and that back-to-school feeling is in the air. For parents with school-aged children, that means it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Between purchasing new school supplies and clothes for your children, this can be a financially stressful time. Here are six ways to save money while making sure your kids have everything they need to start the school year off right.
Read More
Top 3 Exercises to Get Financially Fit
Getting financially fit doesn’t happen overnight but with these three financial exercises, you can start to change your financial thoughts and habits.
Read More
5 Ways to Stretch Your Summer Travel Budget
Summer is one of the most popular times to travel—about 85% of Americans plan to take a trip this season. And while summer can be a great time to get away, it can also impact your wallet. Here are five tips to get the most out of your summer vacation without breaking the bank.
Read More
How to (Successfully) Start Your Own Business
Starting your own business can be an effective way to build long-term wealth—or it can really set you back financially. Increase your chances of success by following these five tips: understand your why, build a strong foundation, develop a marketing plan, prepare for taxes, and watch your expenses.
Read More
Top 5 Ways to Get Ready for Student Loan Payments
Federal student loan payments will restart in October. Read about the top five steps to take to get ready to make your student loan payments again and avoid last-minute stress.
Read More
