The Money Tracker Blog

Warm sandy beaches, week-long cruises, reruns of your favorite TV programs, new hobbies and fun friends. These are the joys that come with retirement. They say that “Retirement is like a much-deserved vacation in Las Vegas. The idea is to enjoy it to the fullest but not so much that you run out of money.” This is your opportune time to rest after years of labor and exhaustion. As much as this sounds lucrative and fun, retirement could also be … Read More

In 2018, particularly where young people are concerned, financial independence is all about side hustles. It’s common to read that millennials pursue multiple jobs rather than a single career, and thanks to the internet and mobile app markets, people who are so inclined now have more ways than ever to seek side income. Most relevant online “side hustles” aren’t going to make you very much money. But approached carefully and correctly they can certainly give you a little bit of … Read More

In light of the uncertainties of health insurance plans, it pays to stay healthy this 2018. While it’s a generally known fact that a healthy lifestyle constitutes a longer life, it may be more encouraging for readers to know the numbers. Health IQ details the findings related to health conscious people, showing that they have a 41 percent lower mortality overall. These individuals have benefits that aren’t just limited to the physical aspect, but also in emotional and mental aspects. … Read More

Sometimes there’s more to doing nothing than meets the eye. If you or someone you know may be facing some forced down time, you might be interested in my recent experience shared below. This is the holiday season and that time when life seems to ratchet up.  You may be starting to feel those familiar pangs of stress – having too much to do and unrealistic expectations for getting it all done.  Not to mention the impact on your finances. … Read More

This time of year is always the time of new beginnings – graduation, Mother’s Day, new jobs and yes, new homes. Do you know how much of a monthly mortgage payment you really can afford? If you have recently pre-qualified for a home loan, you probably know how much the monthly pre-qualified amount is. If you’re like many people I talk to, you may have been surprised to hear how much mortgage you actually qualified for. Before you jump right … Read More

By Jackie Waters A long time ago, people stayed in their home when they got older. Then, someone found a way to profit off nursing homes, retirement communities, and the like. Those can be helpful for a senior that has serious mobility or dementia issues, but for most baby boomers in their later years, aging in place is a much better option. Know What You’re Talking About What is “aging in place?”  of some sort.Simply put, it’s when you grow … Read More

Are you… …tired of debt? …feeling like you’re just surviving? …wanting to move over to the thriving side of life? Perhaps in your case, this debt was not all related to unconscious overspending. There may be numerous reasons for accumulating your current debt including health issues, major unexpected house –car –family – pet emergencies or job loss.  Overall, the goal is to be debt free.    The following tips will certainly help you make a significant dent in that debt … Read More

For Valentine’s Day, and in the spirit of couples, I’m sharing 14 tips to guide you through a healthier relationship with each other and your money. If you’re interested in taking a simple little assessment along with your partner, stick around and I’ll share a link with you at the end. Pay Attention to the Clues.If you’re still in the early dating stages, listen and notice important clues for how your partner manages (or fails to manage) and thinks about … Read More

Does this time of the year make you feel warm and fuzzy or anxious and stressed? The concept of holiday giving and receiving, whether gifts or helping someone out, seems simple enough, yet after many discussions with clients and friends, I continually see that both areas are very loaded issues.  Consider the following ideas as you go through the holidays right now and for next year. Holiday Budgets and Giving Giving and receiving is definitely about more than the material … Read More

What if you slept in this holiday season and saved $1000s? If you saw the commercial you know where this is going. The first time I saw this commercial I thought it was perfect. It starts out with 2 neighbors in their driveways talking about Black Friday. One guy is pulling out huge piles of boxes from his trunk and stands up revealing this shining black eye. His surprised young neighbor says “Phil, what happened to you?” Phil says “Oh, … Read More