Estate

Married? Five Ways to Ensure Your Estate Plans Work in Tandem

Getting on the same page now means fewer potential problems when it counts....

15 EASY Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Monthly (Before Something Breaks)

Owning a home is great until it starts falling apart one little issue at a time. Leaky pipes, mystery drafts, broken appliances, most of it’s preventable if you just stay on top of the basics. T...

This Issue Should Be The Main Focus Of Estate Planning In 2025

Tax issues still should be an important focus of estate planning. But income and capital gains tax planning should be paramount....

I'm 50 and My Home Is Worth $5 Million. Can I Retire Now?

It may be oh-so tempting to cash out your upscale home and leave work for good. But should you? We ask the experts....

Why A 15 Year Mortgage Makes More Financial Sense Than 30 Year Mortgages

Most real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and fake gurus push 30-year mortgages because the monthly payment looks easier to handle. But I’ve never bought into that. If you can’t afford th...

Income And Net Worth Required To Afford A $10 Million Home

To celebrate the launch of my new book, Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures, on May 6, 2025, I thought it’d be fun to explore various millionaire topics leading up to the relea...

Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Why Home Equity Could Be a Smart Addition to Your Investment Portfolio

Most investors rely heavily on traditional stocks and bonds to build their wealth — and for good reason. These assets ... Read more...

Before You Downsize: 21 Things You Need to Do First 

Downsizing used to sound like a last resort. Now it looks more like a smart financial reset. The big house with extra rooms might be costing more than it’s giving back. A 2023 study found that b...

Defying Gravity

Hey Everyone! Have you seen the movie Wicked? We watched it at home last week. It was so good! We saw Wicked on stage about 16 years ago. I loved ... Read more The post Defying Gravity appeared first ...

Financial Steps After a Loved One's Alzheimer's Diagnosis

It's important to move fast on legal safeguards, estate planning and more while your loved one still has the capacity to make decisions....

Screen time: Televisions redefine household hubs

As everyday entertainment and tasks become more digital, televisions sit at the center of home life....

The 7 Worst Ways to Invest in Real Estate

Not every investment in real estate is a good idea. Some are downright terrible. Here are some of the worst ways to invest in real estate. The post The 7 Worst Ways to Invest in Real Estate appeared f...

I'm Single, With No Kids: Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?

Unless you have a plan in place, guess who might be making all the decisions about your prized possessions, or even your health care: a court....

10 Reasons Why Section 8 Isn’t What You Think

Section 8 is one of the most misunderstood programs in real estate. Some believe it’s a guaranteed paycheck, others think it opens the door to endless tenant problems. The truth sits in the midd...

Recast mortgage or hold after-tax money for retirement investing

I just retired and had to buy a house late. I am in year 3 of a 30 year mortgage at 6.375%. I have enough in pre-taxed income, 401k, HSA, and Roth to live comfortably but not lavishly. Would I be smar...

I Am a CFA. I Believe Grant Cardone Gives Horrible Financial Advice

I had never heard of Grant Cardone until I got on X and saw one of his ads. He was telling people to pull money out of their 401(k)s to buy real estate, not with a no-money-down strategy, just straigh...

18 Home Hacks That Help You Keep More of Your Money

Saving money at home doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. The real win is finding simple upgrades that give back time, cash, and sanity without turning life into a DIY marathon. Most people jus...

Staging A Home Is Worth It Because Most Buyers Lack Imagination

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions are everything. Yet, many sellers make the mistake of thinking buyers can look past an empty room, outdated furniture, or a poorly lit space. The rea...

Read These Insider Tips Before Buying Your Next House

Buying a house can feel like a game you weren’t taught the rules to. One wrong move and you’re stuck with a home with constant repairs or a daily drive that makes you question your choices...

How To Survive The Most Dangerous Time After Buying A House

The first year after purchasing a house is the most dangerous and potentially challenging period. This is particularly true for first-time homebuyers who likely stretched their finances to achieve a 1...

Do you (still or now) have a home office?

I know many people who have hybrid work schedules or work from home and have a full home office with a big work desk, big office chair, dual monitors, etc. I know others who keep a home office to work...

15 States Where Buying a Home Just Got Way More Expensive 

Let’s talk housing prices. If you’ve been casually scrolling real estate listings and thinking, “Wait…wasn’t this $200k like two years ago?” you’re not imagi...

Sacrificing The Stock Market For The Good Of Your Loving Home

As stocks plummet and recession fears grow, there’s one silver lining worth highlighting: the increasing value of your home, if you own one. A home is a fundamental necessity for survival, stock...

Performance Update: Q1 2025

My main goal* was to build an investment and cash portfolio of$1,120,000* ($1,000,000 to retire on and $120,000 to pay off the house) in1500 days**, starting from 1/1/2013 and ending in February of 20...

A Second Trump Shock To Programs For Seniors And People With Disabilities

The Trump administration has cut by more than 40% the staff that oversees critical programs for older adults and people with disabilities who live at home....

A slice of paradise, fractionally owned: The shift in vacation homeownership

Owning a vacation home seems like the dream, until factoring in maintenance, property taxes, and the reality of only using it a few weeks a year....

Return to Your Home Country to Retire: Repatriation Retirement

They came to the U.S. to live and work, but they want to retire in the old country. Here's how to juggle the move back home....

19 Frugal Home Hacks That Instantly Save You Money

Saving money isn’t about cutting out everything fun, it’s about being smarter with what you’ve got. A few simple changes at home can free up extra cash without making life harder. Th...

Estate Planning When You Have International Assets

Estate planning gets tricky when you have assets and/or beneficiaries outside the U.S. To avoid costly inheritance mistakes, it pays to understand the basics....

Three Essential Estate Planning Steps to Protect Your Nest Egg

After dedicating years to building your wealth and securing your future, make sure your assets are protected and your loved ones are provided for in the future....

Choosing not to retire when they can

Folks who are eligible for Medicare and are financially sound - why do you think they continue to work? Certainly there are ways to fill the day with home projects, hobbies, social gatherings, exercis...

How To Avoid Estate Planning's Biggest Mistake

Getting a will, revocable trust or other document alone won't accomplish your goals. You need to start with a holistic plan....

Update on my retirement countdown from one year ago

Hello all, I am now 3 months away. Thanks to all who gave me suggestions on how to "survive" the last year of my 35+ year career. I have a post-it at my work station( I work from home) that says "I am...

Should I Purchase an Annuity for My Child as Part of My Estate Plan?

Never running out of money can be an attractive plan if you worry your child may run out of money. Is buying an annuity for them a good move? The post Should I Purchase an Annuity for My Child as Part...

How To Buy a House with Little or No Money Down (I Have Done It Many Ways)

Buying a house can be intimidating, especially if you need more money to make a down payment. But it doesn’t need to be that way. In my several decades as a landlord and real estate investor, I ...

How to Get a Really Low Mortgage Rate (Even If You Think Rates Are High)

You’ve probably heard people say, “Rates are too high, I’ll wait to buy a house.” That’s nonsense. The truth is, there are always plenty of ways to get a lower interest r...

Some weeks I don't leave the house for days. Help!

My husband and I are retired, living in the north suburbs of Minneapolis. I feel like a useless shlub sometimes, when I don't leave the house for a couple of days straight, especially when the temp is...

20 Ways to Clean Up Your Finances This Spring

Spring cleaning is therapeutic and stops costly problems from building up around the home. Why not tackle the dusty corners of your finances at the same time?...

The Only Good Reasons To Pay Off A Low-Interest-Rate Mortgage Early

Despite the wonderful peace of mind that comes with owning a home free and clear, deciding to pay off a low-interest rate mortgage early is not always straightforward. If your mortgage rate is low com...

Where should we move? Family not cooperative.

Long-ish story but we have a family owned home on Lake Michigan that was built by my grandparents. Only one (me) of my siblings group wants to keep the property. I have lived in it full time the last ...

Multigenerational Homes: Solving For Affordability, Care And Retirement

Multigenerational housing is being embraced by younger and older families seeking to address housing affordability, caregiving needs, and retirement security....

Markets Are Down: Here's How Your Estate Can Benefit

Your estate can benefit from stock market malaise by using several creative tools. Here's how....

A Paid-Off Home Is A Great Shield Against Fear And Uncertainty

As I sadly watch my stock portfolio correct by over 10%, I find serenity in my paid-off home. No matter how much the stock market tanks, it's comforting to know I'll always have shelter to take care o...

What You Should Know About 7 Widely-Used Estate Planning Trusts

Most people should consider having one or more trusts in their estate plans, but you must be aware of trust terminology and the basic concepts....