IBJ

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be able to save money effortlessly?

I am not one of those people. I struggle to keep my spending impulses under control.

A recent Kiplinger article, “5 Big Problems to Solve Before You Retire,” lumped financial advisers into two camps.

“There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; you don’t have to fret about retirement, they say, because they’ll help you make more than enough money to get you through.

“Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.”

—Winston Churchill, former British prime minister

Everyone needs a financial plan, but not everyone needs a financial adviser. There are times when it is OK to go it alone and other times when you could benefit from sound advice from a fiduciary adviser.

Couples fight about money. Money fights can put a strain on any relationship and are a frequent cause for divorce. Divorce is one life event that will almost always derail a financial plan.

So how can you manage those money disagreements and keep your relationship on track? Communication and self-reflection go a long way toward generating happy relationships, no matter the topic.

People often dream of getting a big financial windfall. The most common sources of sudden money are lawsuit judgments, divorces, business sales, inheritances, retirement packages and stock options.

To read more, go to: Indianapolis Business Journal

We all deal with death differently, including coping with a parent's death. Adult children might have some unique considerations, especially with the last parent's death.

My mom died Dec. 21, 1998. My mother-in-law just died Dec. 26. My husband and I had very different experiences. My mom was only 66, and her death was unexpected .

It’s the start of a new year, which means it’s time to make—and hopefully begin to implement—New Year’s resolutions.

December is generally the peak time for charitable giving. When I work with clients on spending forecasts, I’m often asked, “How much should I be giving to charity?”

Some general estimates are given as an average percentage of adjusted gross income (gross income minus certain adjustments) of 3 percent to 5 percent.

I wasn’t going to do it. I wasn’t going to write about overspending during the holidays, but I can’t help myself. I got sucked into the Black Friday/Cyber Monday hype.

I found myself poring over the sales ads and wondering what I should buy. Were there any great deals I just couldn’t pass up? Was there anyone who could use any of these deals?

Thanksgiving is now one of my favorite holidays. Besides the food, friends and family gatherings, it gives me time to reflect on how blessed I am.

We so often look at the world and our personal situation and see what’s wrong or what’s missing. Gratitude is an ongoing action, a state of being or a way of life. It is an ongoing habit.