Mastering Your Finances

Mastering Your Finances

Achieving financial stability and peace of mind is a goal shared by many. A cornerstone of this journey is understanding and practicing the principles of living within your means. This article explores the various facets of this concept, providing practical tips and insights to help you navigate your financial landscape successfully. As a therapist working with clients on financial well-being, I've seen firsthand the positive impact of adopting these strategies. Defining "Living Within Your Means" Living within your means is more than just spending less than you earn. It's a comprehensive approach to financial management that encompasses several key elements.…
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Post Holidays

Post Holidays

Starting in 2005, a British Psychologist, Cliff Arnall, believed that he calculated the most depressing day of the year. He calls this Blue Monday and it occurs in mid to late January each year.  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/blue-monday-saddest-day-year-find-silver-lining-article-1.1007082 Arnall calculates this date on weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action There is debate about the legitimacy of Blue Monday and it is more likely to have a 30 second spot on the morning news as…
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Thank you Warren Buffett

I recently wrote this thank you letter to Warren Buffett.  His great role modeling is what compelled me to write my first letter to a celebrity. He has some great talks on youtube. Buck Black LCSW, LCAC 100 Saw Mill Road, Suite 3102 Lafayette, Indiana 47905 www.BuckBlack.com 765-807-6778 Mr. Warren Buffett 3555 Farnam Street Suite 1440 Omaha, NE 68131 Dear Mr. Buffett, Thank you for being a teacher and an amazing role model for our society.  I am a licensed therapist and Certified Financial Social Worker who helps couples with money problems, as well as anger, stress, and various relationship…
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A Certified Financial Social Work Counselor’s (CFSW) Thoughts on Money

A Certified Financial Social Work Counselor’s (CFSW) Thoughts on Money

Defining "Living Within Your Means" At its core, living within your means simply means spending less than you earn. But it doesn’t stop there—it also involves setting aside money for the future. This includes building a solid retirement fund and maintaining at least a six-month emergency savings account. By doing so, you create a financial cushion that allows you to handle unexpected expenses without falling into debt or financial distress. Living Within vs. Living Below Your Means While living within your means is about maintaining a balanced financial life, living below your means takes it a step further. This means…
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The Wealthy Could Even Benefit from Financial Counseling

The Wealthy Could Even Benefit from Financial Counseling

My wife and I recently went to the Biltmore Estate.  In case you are not familiar, it is the largest privately owned house in the United States at over 175,000 square feet. I found it amazing that the Vanderbilts, who are an incredibly wealthy family who built the estate, were unable to afford to maintain their estate during the Depression.  In order to raise funds, they opened their house for tours.  In 1956, the family relocated and turned the house into a museum that charged for admission, presumably because the maintenance cost was too high. As I learned more about…
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Living Within Your Means

Living Within Your Means

Keeping up with the Joneses, go big or go home, and livin’ large are all mantras of our society.  These mantras may very well sound appealing.  However, they seem to cause a great deal of pain for many. In my office, I see people who are spending much more money than they are earning.  After the credit cards are maxed and the second or third mortgage has been taken out, people often find there is no place to turn and they are quite unhappy. What you own is now owning you, as the old saying goes.  It is unfortunate how…
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Why Pay for Health Care?

Why Pay for Health Care?

Money is a sensitive subject for most. I can't blame anyone for wanting to save money or cringing when they have to spend money on health care. I will never forget when I worked at Wal-Mart while in school and seeing people get very angry when they thought they were charged one or two dollars more then they should have. I think there is something that makes us think we should not have to spend money on our own health care or it should be very cheap. Where does this belief come from? I don't know. It would be great…
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