If Hollywood made your life into a movie, would people want to watch it? Author Donald Miller got me thinking about stories, characters, and plots with his terrific new book Hero on a Mission. Drawing inspiration from great story tellers of the past, Miller argues that all great stories have four primary characters: the victim, …

What Story Are You Telling with Your Life? Read More »

One of the common questions I get from new clients is, “How am I doing financially . . . compared to everyone else in my situation?”  Something in us loves to compare—and do whatever “everyone else is doing.” When it comes to finances, this is rarely wise: Right now, some 2 million homeowners are three …

Why It’s Bad to “Fit In” Financially Read More »

This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Merchants will sell millions of flowers and cards and tons (literally) of candy. And restaurants will serve up all manner of candlelight dinners to sweethearts who are clamoring to demonstrate their passion.  But if you’ve been married for longer than about a month, you know that love needs deeper …

The Things We Do for Love Read More »

I’m pretty sure National Lampoon’s 1985 movie “European Vacation” was based on my family’s 1972 trip to the same destination.  Both were comedies. Back then, European borders and currencies were as numerous and confusing as a Byzantine map.  To this day, I have no idea where we were when I tried to mail that postcard.  …

Buckets of Money for Retirement! Read More »

Don’t you “love” it when you forget to buy something at the grocery store? So often I get nine of the ten things I was supposed to buy, but there’s always that one item I don’t remember until I get home. “Seriously? You forgot the tomatoes? How am I supposed to make spaghetti sauce without …

Checklist for 60-Somethings Read More »

Over the last ten years I’ve lost about 100 pounds. Okay, it’s actually the same ten pounds, gained and lost ten times. Blame it on the holidays, I guess. Sweet people sending me sweets. My wife’s deadly—the good kind of deadly—pecan pie. Hey, I’m not complaining. I love all that delicious stuff. But New Year’s …

A Tale of Two Diets Read More »