Especially if you live in the south, black-eyed peas are always part of the meal on January 1st. We eat them for prosperity in the coming year. The origins of eating black-eyed peas for luck on New Year’s is somewhat unclear. However, we know the practice goes back as far as 500 A.D. when they…

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it has little stress. It doesn’t come with an expectation of presents, and it focuses on food! Even though the Thanksgiving Day Parade ends with Santa’s arrival in Times Square, more employers are giving employees the day off and beginning the crazy holiday season after midnight. The…

Have you ever heard the financial phrase, “Buy term and invest the difference?” It’s a common saying, and sometimes, it’s great advice. However, like all financial issues, the decision is a little more complicated than it might look. Let’s start by reviewing the advice. The recommendation is to purchase term life insurance rather than whole…

Can you believe how quickly the summer is coming to an end? It seems like just last week, my family and I were watching 4th of July fireworks, and making homemade ice cream! Now, back to school activities are top priority in everyone’s mind. Here in Norman, OK, heading back to school reminds us that…

Your wedding day is one of the milestones of your life. Many people dream about the perfect wedding for years, but let’s face it—weddings are expensive. Here are some tips to help you have the wedding you always wanted without breaking your budget. Start planning early. Find the dress, book the venue, and choose your…

Happy 2019! Do you make a financial New Year’s resolution only to watch it crumble by Valentine’s Day? Don’t feel bad. Most of us break our resolutions before we’ve finished the Christmas cookies. I want 2019 to be the year you succeed. Next December 31st, I want you to look back and see the progress…

Sometimes, you can dread seeing the envelope of your financial statement. Even when the markets are doing well, you can have that cold feeling that you don’t really know what you are doing. Well, finances don’t have to be spooky. Here are a few tips to keep the monsters away. Always work with a financial…

Nothing is better than fireworks on the 4th of July! Out of seemingly nowhere, bright colors explode in the sky, dazzling everyone who sees them. Then, almost instantly, they are gone. Some investments behave a lot like fireworks. Companies or concepts capture everyone’s attention, and investors are exuberant. They rush to invest only to have…

It’s hard to believe that your summer vacation is less than three months away. We dream about warm beaches, mountain hikes, or shopping in the city, but we don’t like to think about the cost of our week or two of freedom. Here are a few tips to help your summer vacation be the best…

As much as we look forward to the holidays, let’s face it—sometimes they can be stressful. Before you get caught up in all the events, create a strategy so you can have a good time.