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Articles by Deborah Meyer
Where does it all end?
Eight dollars per gallon gasoline was the lead story on the news (Friday) morning. Is California out if its mind? Refineries burned and not opening because there is no incentive for them to do business in the state? California just purchased an electric car, a Rivian, for Newsom to ride around in. How in the world are we supposed to pay $8 a gallon for gas? And the increased prices for goods and services that will come with the increase gas price?
VBC youth summer feeding programs seeks donations, volunteers
We are reaching out to the VBC community for your help and support. Our goal is to ensure that children have a daily meal throughout the month of July until school starts. This is a community effort to feed the children in Van Buren County, especially those in need. It is organized by Deb Meyer of the Van Buren County Library and Brad Moore, Pastor of the 1st Clinton United Methodist Church. On June 11th at 6:30 we met at the First United Methodist Church to plan and get input.
Library news
The Van Buren County Library was busy in 2023 and th library thanked its sponsors, supporters, participants, patrons and Friends of the Library for their support. They expect 2024 to be just as busy. Library staff have begun planning for the 2024 Summer Reading Program which will include activities for all age groups, including adults. The theme for this year is “Adventure begins at your Library.” The summer program will start this year on June 3 and will end on July 31.
Does It Make Sense to Buy a House Now?
buying a home Yes, mortgage rates are low, but that’s not the only factor to consider. See if you are the type of person who should jump into the housing market now, or whether it would be smarter to wait. With the U.S. vaccine rollout progressing nicely, we are finally able to take a collective sigh of relief and begin thinking about a post-pandemic future. The housing market is hotter than ever, despite millions of Americans losing their jobs in 2020.
Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’? Original
debt management Not all debts are created equal. Some help you get ahead. Others should be avoided at all costs. Here’s how to tell the difference and how to handle your own debt situation. Let’s talk about debt baby. Let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Let’s talk about debt. Do I have you humming the tune to a popular Salt-N-Pepa song circa 1990? I have to bring some joy during the pandemic! OK.
Be a Budgeting Expert: How to Track Spending with a Detailed Budget Original
Budgeting Want to go beyond the Envelope Budget? Try this free budgeting spreadsheet to draw up your own plan and get a firm grip on where your money is going. We’ll walk you through each step. Although budgeting often evokes angst, it shouldn’t. Budgeting is a sign of freedom, putting you in the driver’s seat on spending and saving decisions. For those of you who find the Envelope Budget too simple, let’s discuss the Detailed Budget method instead.
The Envelope Budget: How to Make It Work for You
Budgeting An oldie but goodie, the envelope budget is a great place to start for beginning budgeters. Here’s how it works. My last blog post, Don’t Be a Budget Hater, discussed the surprising truth that not all budgets are bad. They often have a negative connotation, but hopefully after reading the article, you see the benefits of budgeting. Now we will dive into different types of budgets. One Size Doesn’t Fit All People often assume that there is one budget that will work for everyone.
Don’t Be a Budget Hater
Budgeting Budgets don’t exist to make your life miserable. In fact, they’re there to make your life better. My own budget evolution shows how having a spending plan can help you and your family build the life you really want. When you hear the word “budget,” what comes to mind? It doesn’t exactly have a positive connotation. So why does the word “budget” evoke feelings of dread and regret? It implies two things: 1. You must know exactly how much you are spending in a given month. 2.
Building Wealth as Parents During Uncertain Times
Parents have a lot weighing on their minds right now. Here are three truths they can rely upon, and three ways to shore up their finances during this time. What we are seeing is unprecedented. Even though we crave physical touch and connection, social distancing and self-quarantining are recommended. Gatherings are limited to 10 people or less. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths climbs daily. International air travel is restricted, and domestic air travel may be next.
5 Causes of Marital Money Stress (and How to Fix Them)
Are you and your spouse burdened by financial stress? SEE ALSO: 10 Tips & Tricks to Save on Weddings from a Financial Planner Bride You're not alone. According to Marriage.com, money fights are the second-leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. Below are the main culprits of money tension in couples and strategies to fix them. 1. Money temperament. Are you naturally inclined to spend, save or give money away to charity? Money personalities emerge in childhood.
5 Causes of Marital Money Stress (and How to Fix Them)
Financial frustrations can be major sources of tension in any marriage. Here are some practical tips and strategies to work through the most common money issues together. Are you and your spouse burdened by financial stress? SEE ALSO: 10 Tips & Tricks to Save on Weddings from a Financial Planner Bride You’re not alone. According to Marriage.com, money fights are the second-leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. Below are the main culprits of money tension in couples and strategies to fix them.
Pessimists Never Prosper: Try an Abundance Mindset Instead
Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person? When you think about the future, do you see limitless opportunities or multiple barriers? Do you get excited about international travel and interaction with other cultures, or do you think it's a shame "all our U.S. jobs are going overseas"? SEE ALSO: Don't Let Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Derail Your Dreams Be honest. Depending on your response, you either have an abundance or scarcity mindset.
Pessimists Never Prosper: Try an Abundance Mindset Instead
Even if you're a perpetual pessimist, there are ways to channel your thinking into a more positive direction, and that can help reap benefits for yourself, and for society in general. Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person? When you think about the future, do you see limitless opportunities or multiple barriers? Do you get excited about international travel and interaction with other cultures, or do you think it’s a shame “all our U.S. jobs are going overseas”?
4 Simple Habits to Build Wealth Faster
Sure, making a lot of money helps, but research shows there are four behaviors that can be even more important to building true wealth. As a young child, did you ever dream of having $1 million in the bank? I used to think that way, but my perspective changed over the years. $1 million is no longer a guarantee of financial freedom. For someone spending $200,000 a year in good health, $1 million won’t go very far during retirement.
4 Simple Habits to Build Wealth Faster
Sure, making a lot of money helps, but research shows there are four behaviors that can be even more important to building true wealth. As a young child, did you ever dream of having $1 million in the bank? I used to think that way, but my perspective changed over the years. $1 million is no longer a guarantee of financial freedom. For someone spending $200,000 a year in good health, $1 million won't go very far during retirement.
Emergency Funds Can Have a Surprising Downside
If you're only saving for emergencies, you’re missing out. Go beyond that with an opportunity fund. My family tapped our opportunity fund twice last year, and it changed our lives. Why save for opportunities when everyone tells you to only save for emergencies instead? Because you’ll be operating from a place of abundance, not scarcity, and that can make a world of difference.
Emergency Funds Can Have a Surprising Downside
If you're only saving for emergencies, you're missing out. Go beyond that with an opportunity fund. My family tapped our opportunity fund twice last year, and it changed our lives. Why save for opportunities when everyone tells you to only save for emergencies instead? Because you'll be operating from a place of abundance, not scarcity, and that can make a world of difference.
Budget Travel Tips Straight from a Financial Planner's Own Family Trip Abroad
Here's what my family of five actually paid for three months of travel to Spain and how we kept our costs low. We aren't rich, but we know how to carefully plan and budget. Follow our tips to help make your own dream happen. When my husband and I revealed that we were making a dream of spending three months abroad in Spain with our three kids a reality, the people we told were happy for us … but we could almost see the wheels turning in their heads.
Don't Let Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Derail Your Dreams
If you have a big goal, what's stopping you? Don't let life get in your way. Instead, do what my family did: Quit waiting for someday, and just do it. Have you ever wanted something badly but didn’t know how to make it happen? Then you should find inspiration in this post. My husband, Bryan, our three young boys and I recently returned from three months of travel in Spain, something I dreamed about for years but didn’t think we could swing. This is our story.
Health Insurance Too Expensive? A Cheaper Option
They aren't for everyone, but health care sharing programs are a faith-based alternative to traditional health plans that can save some people money. This type of coverage worked as a stopgap for my own family. U.S. health insurance premiums and deductibles continue to rise at an unprecedented rate.
Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts
Long-term disabilities are probably more common than you think: About one-third of us will experience one before age 65. But before you buy insurance, learn the ins and outs of long-term disability policies. If you underestimate your risk of disability, you’re not alone … only 10% of individuals accurately estimate their chance of disability, according to a study by the Council for Disability Awareness.
The #MeToo Movement Goes to Summer Camp
(JTA) — The #MeToo movement has empowered women to speak up against harassment and abuse. It is heartening to see many men standing as allies and organizations beginning to hold themselves accountable for establishing policies, procedures and transparency and for changing the workplace culture.
The #MeToo movement goes to summer camp - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
(Pxhere) (JTA) — The #MeToo movement has empowered women to speak up against harassment and abuse. It is heartening to see many men standing as allies and organizations beginning to hold themselves accountable for establishing policies, procedures and transparency and for changing the workplace culture.
When 'Rules of Thumb' for Life Insurance Aren't Appropriate
If you are one of these three types of people, going by the usual insurance "rules" could cause you to buy too much coverage, not enough coverage or the wrong type of policy. Ughhhh. Life insurance isn’t exactly a fun topic to talk about, is it? Yet, it is essential coverage for many families who want to protect the future earnings of one or both spouses.
5 Ways to Maximize Your Charitable Giving
A donor advised fund is my go-to charitable giving vehicle for many reasons, but there are a few other ways to gift to charities and do the most good ... for them and for you, too. I’ll never forget the time I stepped down from a junior board position. It was a difficult decision, because I supported the charity’s mission. Yet fundraising wasn’t my area of genius, and my time was better spent with family.
5 Ways to Maximize Your Charitable Giving
I'll never forget the time I stepped down from a junior board position. It was a difficult decision, because I supported the charity's mission. Yet fundraising wasn't my area of genius, and my time was better spent with family. Have you ever stepped away from a meaningful cause, instead opting to financially support their mission? Your motives for giving may differ from mine, but you care deeply about using your gifts to benefit others.
5 Key Tax Law Changes Impacting Businesses
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), a $1.5 trillion tax cut package, has several implications for businesses. It was signed into law in December of 2017 and most of its provisions became effective in the 2018 tax year. Below are five ways the new tax codes will impact businesses. The new legislation establishes a single flat corporate rate of 21% and abolishes the previous graduated tax brackets of 15%, 25%, 34% and 35%. TCJA permanently repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT).
Why Stock Market Volatility Has Officially Arrived
Volatility is the name of the game, and we don't know when it is going to end. The Dow dropped more than 1,000 points two days within the same week: Feb. 5 and Feb. 8. Concerns over the bond market and inflation are capturing headlines, too. There is an inverse relationship between interest rates and the value of bonds. In other words, the price of the bond falls when the interest rate rises.
Why Stock Market Volatility Has Officially Arrived
Looking at what’s going on in the economy reveals the reasons why the markets have entered a period of wide swings. Volatility is the name of the game, and we don’t know when it is going to end. The Dow dropped more than 1,000 points two days within the same week: Feb. 5 and Feb. 8. Concerns over the bond market and inflation are capturing headlines, too. There is an inverse relationship between interest rates and the value of bonds.
How to Set Goals for Yourself and Make Them Happen
Do you want to change careers in 2018? Devote more time to volunteering? Or how about saving $50,000 over the course of the year? Here's how to set an attainable goal and really stick with it. “Happy New Year! 2018 has got to be a better year for all.” That’s a text message that greeted me the morning of Jan. 1. I was excited to see “Happy New Year” but saddened by the second sentence. It really got me thinking about the sender’s mindset. Any year has its share of ups and downs.
What the New Tax Overhaul Means for You
Over the past several weeks as the House and Senate tax overhaul bills worked their way through Congress -- the final version passed on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 -- I've heard from several clients with questions about how they might be affected. Here's what I tell them: Overall, this tax package is helpful, not detrimental, to American families.
What the New Tax Overhaul Means for You
Here are some important changes that it could pay to anticipate. Over the past several weeks as the House and Senate tax overhaul bills worked their way through Congress — the final version passed on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 — I've heard from several clients with questions about how they might be affected. Here's what I tell them: Overall, this tax package is helpful, not detrimental, to American families.
House Hunters: Learn from My Rookie Mistakes
When I bought my first home in my 20s, I had worked hard and saved for a down payment. But I didn't do all the homework a buyer should do. Looking back years later, here are seven financial tips for house hunters today. Is it possible for you to delve into home ownership without all the facts? YES. One of my three biggest financial mistakes was buying a home just one year out of college without truly considering all financial implications.
How Gratitude Equals Success in the New Year
Each day is a gift filled with 86,400 seconds. As 2017 closes, this is an excellent time to pause and reflect upon the positive things in your life. It's important to be thankful for your financial blessings, but the end of the year is also an opportunity to think beyond them. Whatever challenge you are facing, embodying a sense of gratitude can go a long way. Set yourself up for success in the new year with a positive attitude.
Do Not Let Money Ruin Your Marriage
We all bring our own attitudes about spending, saving and sharing into our relationships. Some styles work great together, and others are destined for disaster. The key to making it work is communication. On my firm’s blog, I have been very open about sharing personal financial successes and missteps. Marriage is one of my successes. My husband, Bryan, and I: We recognize that not everyone is so fortunate. Money conflict is the No. 2 reason for divorce nationally, behind infidelity.
A Deeper Dive into 529 College Plans
If you're confused about the difference between 529 college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans and all their ins and outs, you're not alone. But here's some help. College savings is a hot topic with my clients, as many of them have at least one child living at home. In June, I wrote an overview article on 529 plans as a college savings strategy. Since then, I’ve fielded a couple of questions from parents and inquiries from college experts.
Quiz: How Well Do You Know 529 College Plans?
Do you know which kind of savings plan has no market risk? Do you know whether you'd lose money if your child didn't go to college? How about the rules on where they can go? We’ve got the answers. Saving for college keeps getting more challenging.
How Well Do You Know College 529 Plans?
Saving for college keeps getting more challenging. By 2024, the average sticker price for a year at public in-state college is expected to climb to $34,000, and for private school undergrads it could be $76,000, according to the College Board’s 2016 study “Trends in College Pricing.” For people looking for ways to fund future college expenses, 529 savings plans and prepaid tuition plans could be the answer.
4 Financial Lessons Learned from an Eye Exam
I recently had my annual eye exam. Here are four personal finance lessons to apply to this experience. Near-sightedness causes distant objects to be blurry while close objects may appear normal. In the financial realm, do you feel like you have the day-to-day financial decisions of your household mastered? Then you may struggle with identifying and actively working toward long-term goals like retirement and children’s education funding.
The Best Ways to Eliminate Student Loans
You went to college and got the degree. Now it’s a matter of paying off that debt. The credit card mantra, “pay off your debt with the highest interest rate first,” doesn’t always apply to student loans…it can be much more complicated. There is a variety of loan options: government-sponsored subsidized or unsubsidized and private loans.
The Best Ways to Eliminate Student Loans
You went to college and got the degree. Now it’s a matter of paying off that debt. The credit card mantra, “pay off your debt with the highest interest rate first,” doesn’t always apply to student loans…it can be much more complicated. There is a variety of loan options: government-sponsored subsidized or unsubsidized and private loans.
Debunking the Myths of 529 College Plans
Like saving for retirement, you can never start too early on saving for college. Take a quick true-and-false quiz to see if you grasp the power of 529 plans. Like saving for retirement, you can never start too early on saving for college. The cost of post-secondary education continues to outpace inflation. According to FinAid.org, the historical average college tuition inflation rate was 8%, compared with 3.2% for inflation.
Smart Ways Entrepreneurs Can Finance Growth
No one likes debt, but it can be the difference between a failed venture and a thriving business. From 12-month-interest-free business credit cards to crafty loan strategies, entrepreneurs have options. Many entrepreneurs concentrate great effort on increasing sales, and they should. Yet, what if sales are not enough? Debt, when used properly, can be a powerful vehicle for realizing your business vision. Raising equity, or outside capital, is another way. Let’s focus on DEBT.
Is the End of Jobs Coming? Employees Beware
Let's be honest. One of your primary goals is to build long-term wealth, right? Wealth building is based on two factors: earnings and expenses. When you are satisfied with your career, you have a higher likelihood of earning more money. If dissatisfied, it is that much more difficult to increase your earnings. Taylor Pearson contends in his book, The End of Jobs: Money, Meaning and Freedom without the 9-5, that entrepreneurship is one way to increase earnings.
Is the End of Jobs Coming? Employees Beware
Entrepreneurship is a path that more workers could find themselves on soon, like it or not. Survival strategies are required for self-starters, and those who’d rather keep their jobs. Let’s be honest. One of your primary goals is to build long-term wealth, right? Wealth building is based on two factors: earnings and expenses. When you are satisfied with your career, you have a higher likelihood of earning more money. If dissatisfied, it is that much more difficult to increase your earnings.
How to Live for Today and Still Save for Tomorrow
Whether you dream of traveling around the world or buying a yacht, here are five steps that can help make it happen. Recently, I attended the funeral of a friend. It got me thinking about life and death. Without getting too morbid or philosophical, let’s focus on a tangible financial question related to the circle of life: How do you live life to the fullest now, yet simultaneously save for the future? Maybe some examples will help. Let’s suppose you get the sudden urge to travel to Fiji.
Only Connect: An evening with our Entourage
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