freelance money management

2025-10-29

Do You Need a Tax Pro for Your Small Business?

When you're starting a side hustle while working full time, tax season can feel like a whole new level of complicated. Suddenly, you’re not just dealing with a W-2; you’re navigating business expenses, quarterly estimates, and a maze of forms. It’s no wonder so many people consider hiring a professional. A good tax advisor can do more than just file your return; they can help with Financial Planning for Business Owners and pinpoint deductions you might miss, often saving you more than their fee costs.

Finance

2025-10-21

Building an Investment Portfolio You Won't Panic Sell

Picture this: It’s the Super Bowl, and you’re the head coach. Your team is down 17-14 with the ball on the one-yard line. It’s fourth down, one second on the clock. Do you kick the easy field goal and force overtime, or do you go for the touchdown and the win? There’s no single right answer. Your decision depends on your confidence in your offense, the state of your defense, and maybe just your personality. Are you a risk-taker, or do you play it safe?

Investment

2025-10-19

How to Handle the Money Side of Your Side Hustle

You've got the idea, you've checked that people want it, and you’re ready to get started. But now comes the part that isn't as exciting but is absolutely essential: getting the money right. Without a solid financial plan, even the best ideas can fizzle out due to cash flow problems or unexpected costs. This is what separates a hobby from a real .

Side Hustle

2025-10-13

The Unromantic Contract Every Unmarried Couple Needs

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.

Finance

2025-10-13

Your Financial Checklist for Buying a Home

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.

Finance

2025-10-13

The Money Side of Finding Your Next Apartment

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.

Finance

2025-10-13

How a Spending Plan Can Fund Your Next Big Idea

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.

Finance

2025-10-12

How I Manage My Own Money as a Financial Advisor

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.

Finance

2025-10-12

How Two Finance Pros Actually Invest Their Own Money

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.

Investment