Luminate Financial Planning

08/17/2021

Build durable portfolios, expect risk to eventually be rewarded and accept the fact that there will be good times and bad.

The alternative is magic beans. Do you believe in magic?

On macro forecasts

06/29/2021

Assume you are investing for a very long life. Also, assume you may die early:

WHAT DOES IT TAKE to manage money prudently? Yes, we should save diligently, favor stocks, diversify broadly, hold down investment costs, buy the right insurance and so on. But all these smart financial moves stem from key assumptions we make about our lives and the world around us. What assumptions...

06/24/2021

It's a rare combination: a safe investment with a relatively high return. Definitely something to consider:

Series I savings bonds (or simply "I Bonds") are inflation-indexed bonds with a variable interest rate. That variable rate comprises two components.

06/22/2021

Morgan Housel writes about some of the most important topics in personal finance. I love this article on expectations:

There aren’t many iron laws of money. But here’s one, and perhaps the most important: If expectations grow faster than income you’ll never be happy with your money. One of the most important financial skills is getting the goalpost to stop moving. It’s also one of the hardest. First, a littl...

06/10/2021

I like this framework for future spending: What will you spend to renew your bonds, and how will you do it?

If you’re emerging from the pandemic in better financial shape than before, ask yourself this: What will you spend to renew your bonds, and how will you do it?

06/08/2021

Most people have a strong aversion to losing money. This instinct may not lead to short-term financial disaster. But it can wreak havoc over the long haul.

05/06/2021

I love this idea for making sure you and your teenager on are on the same page when it comes to college funding:

A college compact can help you to set priorities and goals for college saving and spending. It's an agreement you make with yourself and your kids on what you will-and won't-do when it comes to college. Laying this out ahead of time is a great way to make sure everyone's on the same page, expectatio...

05/04/2021

Sometimes a savings account is the best choice (safe and boring):

You might be feeling guilty when you glance at your checking account and see a large balance. Shouldn't that money be doing something else?

04/29/2021

This is a great way to frame a college funding/expectations conversation with your teen:

A college compact can help you to set priorities and goals for college saving and spending. It's an agreement you make with yourself and your kids on what you will-and won't-do when it comes to college. Laying this out ahead of time is a great way to make sure everyone's on the same page, expectatio...

04/27/2021

Have an overfunded 529? Here are some options:

Saving too much for college in a 529 college savings account can lead to taxes and a penalty. But it doesn't have to.

04/27/2021

Good information here:

When thinking about your financial future and creating a financial plan, there are some numbers that you really need to know. What I have come to realize

04/22/2021

Great thinkers are comfortable with uncertainty:

Great thinkers don't just harbor doubt. They embrace uncertainty--and how little they really know.