October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month across the United States. And National Estate Planning Awareness Week, the third week of the month, was adopted in 2008 to help the public understand what estate planning is, and why it is such a vital…

Rosalynn Carter said it first, and I think said it best: “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Have you talked with your elderly parents about their financial situation yet? They may have initiated a conversation, or you may have, either way it can feel awkward. But it is helpful to ensure our parents’ well-being, safety from scammers…

Have you ever gone to an estate sale? As you walk through the home of the previous owner, what thoughts are in your head? What are you feeling? I have found myself having difficulty not feeling like an intruder or feeling guilty or disrespectful…

If you are a grandmother, did your kids ask you how you wanted to be addressed by the grandchildren: grandma, mimi, memaw, etc? Never having thought about that question (since both my grandparents and my husband’s were always…

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey was written over 15 years ago but is still a best seller for good reason. His timeless advice is applicable across many aspects of our lives, business or personal…

Sometimes you can become an “expert” in an area of life by learning from the School of Hard Knocks versus a real brick and mortar educational institution. That is the case with my topic this month as I share some healthy advice about loaning money to family…

Do you ever find yourself asking these important life questions: What if my spouse or I die prematurely? What if one of us becomes disabled during our working years and is unable to work again? What if one of us needs long-term care in retirement?

How many passwords do you have to keep track of? Have you ever counted them? I stopped counting after I hit 200 (but I have two businesses so hopefully it’s not that many for everyone). I know it’s all for our own safety and security…

I wish we had a different word to use here in the United States for our “status” after we lose a spouse other than the word “widow.” It’s the only box you can check on forms you need to fill out afterwards at the bank, doctor’s office, dentist…