Millions of couples in the U.S. live together without being married, often blending their financial lives without realizing the potential consequences. If you’re living with your partner, it’s essential to think about how you’ll handle shared assets and expenses. Putting a plan in place isn’t about expecting the worst; it’s about protecting you both if the relationship ends.
Buying a home is easily the biggest purchase you'll ever make. For most of us, it’s also an incredibly emotional and stressful journey. There’s a mountain of information to digest to make smart decisions, from figuring out if ownership is right for you to understanding the fine print on a mortgage. Think of it as the ultimate ; it requires careful planning and a clear understanding of how you're for the long term.
Moving is a big deal. Whether you're heading across town for a better view or relocating to a new city for a fresh start, the excitement can quickly get overshadowed by the financial details. The more you understand the real costs involved, the smoother the entire process will be.
Let’s be honest, the word “budget” doesn’t exactly spark joy. For many, it brings up feelings of restriction, sacrifice, and penny-pinching. But what if we reframed it? What if a budget wasn't a list of things you have, but a roadmap to getting what you truly want? The reality is, your odds of reaching major financial goals without a plan are pretty slim. It requires some effort, but the payoff is huge.
My childhood home wasn't one of excess. We were on the free lunch program at school, and I have clear memories of huddling around a space heater on cold mornings. This was pretty normal for my neighborhood, so it never felt strange. But we were lucky—our needs were always met, and my parents often gave what little we had to spare to families who had even less. They instilled in me the importance of caring for others, a value I admire more and more as I get older.
It’s one thing to give financial advice, but it’s another to live by it. The way we handle our own money is often a reflection of our earliest experiences, biggest lessons, and personal values. Here’s a look at how two financial professionals, Nina O’Neal and Debbie Freeman, manage their own investments, shaped by their unique life stories.