Life Money Balance® Blog

Weekly easy-going personal finance videos, podcasts, and articles with actionable insights to create the life you envision. Let your life lead your money.

Inherited IRA Rules for 2025: How Beneficiaries Can Protect Their Inheritance and Avoid Tax Pitfalls

Healthspan vs Lifespan: The Vital Planning Shift Gen X Needs to Live Well and Retire Strong

Healthspan vs Lifespan: The Vital Planning Shift Gen X Needs to Live Well and Retire Strong

Many high-income Gen X professionals are planning to live longer, but few are planning to live better. Increased longevity has become more attainable through advancements…

Why High-Income Clients Want Financial Education—and How It Builds Wealth Faster

Why High-Income Clients Want Financial Education—and How It Builds Wealth Faster

As income rises, so does financial complexity. Yet many high-income earners lack the time, tools, or tailored education to fully understand their wealth. From equity…

Why High-Income Earners Need Spending Plans Instead of Budgets

Why High-Income Earners Need Spending Plans Instead of Budgets

High-income earners often face unique financial challenges that traditional budgets fail to address. While budgeting can be an effective tool for managing money on a…

Should You Invest Outside the S&P 500? Why Global Diversification Still Matters

Should You Invest Outside the S&P 500? Why Global Diversification Still Matters

Many affluent investors rely on the S&P 500 as the cornerstone of their equity portfolios. With its history of strong returns, low-cost index access, and…

Navigating the Resumption of Student Loan Collections: Strategies for Borrowers

Navigating the Resumption of Student Loan Collections: Strategies for Borrowers

Understanding the Current Landscape As of May 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education reinstated collections on defaulted federal student loans¹. This marks the end…

What Warren Buffett’s Retirement Teaches Us About Investing, Planning, and Misunderstood Wealth

What Warren Buffett’s Retirement Teaches Us About Investing, Planning, and Misunderstood Wealth

Buffett Steps Down, But the Myths Live On Warren Buffett, often regarded as the most successful investor of all time, announced at the 2025 Berkshire…

Wealth Strategies for Oil & Gas Executives: Tax, Compensation, and Retirement Planning

Wealth Strategies for Oil & Gas Executives: Tax, Compensation, and Retirement Planning

Understanding the Unique Financial Landscape for Oil & Gas Executives The oil and gas compensation structure is unlike that of most other sectors. Executives often…

How Gen X Can Lead Conversations on Finances, Legacy & Elder Care with Aging Parents

How Gen X Can Lead Conversations on Finances, Legacy & Elder Care with Aging Parents

Most adults (93 percent) agree that discussing end-of-life wishes with family is important, yet only 33 percent have actually done so¹. Avoiding these conversations leaves…

Is Your 1% Financial Advisor Fee Still Worth It? Here’s What You Should Be Getting for the Price

Is Your 1% Financial Advisor Fee Still Worth It? Here’s What You Should Be Getting for the Price

The 1% Question: Fair Fee or Outdated Model? For decades, the 1% financial advisor fee has been a benchmark in the wealth management industry. The…

From Panic to Prosperity: Financial Strategies for Surviving a Trump-Led Recession

From Panic to Prosperity: Financial Strategies for Surviving a Trump-Led Recession

In Times of Uncertainty, Smart Planning Prevails Markets are on edge. Headlines are filled with policy debates, volatility spikes, and investor concerns. And while market…

Stock Market Corrections Explained: How to Stay Calm and Invest Wisely

Stock Market Corrections Explained: How to Stay Calm and Invest Wisely

When the market drops suddenly, it’s natural to feel anxious. But not all declines are created equal. Knowing the difference between a market correction and…

Borrowing Against Assets: How to Use Your Portfolio for Liquidity

Borrowing Against Assets: How to Use Your Portfolio for Liquidity

What if you could unlock cash from your investments without selling a single share? Borrowing against investments allows you to tap into your portfolio’s value…

Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs: How to Build a Tax-Efficient Retirement

Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs: How to Build a Tax-Efficient Retirement

It’s no secret that entrepreneurs face unique challenges when planning for retirement. Unlike traditional employees who often have access to employer-sponsored plans, business owners must…

Creating a Life You Love Without the Money Stress

Creating a Life You Love Without the Money Stress

When our team members sit down with clients, a recurring desire that we hear from them is that they want to balance their financial goals…

Money Personalities for Financial Planning

Money Personalities for Financial Planning

When it comes to taking charge of your relationship with money, you’ve probably heard the common — yet, sound — advice to focus on establishing…

When Does Cash Value Life Insurance Fit Into Your Asset Protection Strategy?

When Does Cash Value Life Insurance Fit Into Your Asset Protection Strategy?

When most people think about life insurance, they think of it purely as a safety net — a way to provide for loved ones in…

The Benefits of Financial Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Money and Mental Health

The Benefits of Financial Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Money and Mental Health

Money is much more than a practical tool used to buy the things you need; it’s deeply tied to our emotions, beliefs, and personal experiences.…

The Countdown to Retirement: What Gen X-ers Should Check Off Before Year-End

The Countdown to Retirement: What Gen X-ers Should Check Off Before Year-End

As the year winds down, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your progress and look ahead to what’s next. For those in Gen X…

How to Use Portfolio Concentration to Level Up Your Overall Financial Plan

How to Use Portfolio Concentration to Level Up Your Overall Financial Plan

When it comes to building wealth, we each come with our own set of goals and challenges. For some, investing in individual stocks is a…

How to Retire Comfortably: Essential Financial and Emotional Tips for a Joyful Retirement

How to Retire Comfortably: Essential Financial and Emotional Tips for a Joyful Retirement

After working your whole life to reach your golden years — your retirement — the last thing you want is to cross the finish line…

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