By Paula Pant
“I’ll get around to rolling over my 401k … next week.”
“Eventually I’ll switch to a cheaper insurance plan.”
“I really should move my portfolio into lower-fee funds.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know I should create an estate plan. I’ll do it later.”
We know how to improve our financial lives. We know what steps […]
By Paula Pant
Five years ago, at age 29, Kim E. started her first professional, salaried full-time job, working as a firefighter for the City of Austin, Texas. She received a starting salary of $42,000.
Today, five years later, she has saved:
one year’s salary ($40,000) in an emergency fund one year’s salary ($42,000) in a workplace retirement […]
By Paula Pant
Today’s episode is an annuity sandwich: we answer one question about family and relationships, three questions about annuities, and one question about time management.
My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer questions in what, I hope, is the most entertaining episode about annuities you’ll hear.
Here are the five questions […]
By Paula Pant
Andy from Michigan loved the episode with charity:water founder Scott Harrison. After the episode, he and his 6-year-old daughter started watching videos about charity:water, and now they’re both inspired to give.
Andy’s question is on the topic of giving. His is to reach financial independence within 5 to 10 years. He and his wife are […]
By Paula Pant
Today’s episode is the June 2018 First Friday Bonus Episode, in which I answer three questions from the Afford Anything community. Enjoy!
Cameron accepted a job in the Middle East, where he earns 60 percent more than he could make at a comparable job in the U.S. He also gets free health care and […]
By Paula Pant
Scott Rieckens and his wife Taylor enjoyed a classic Southern California lifestyle.
They lived near a gorgeous beach in sunny San Diego. They frequently dined at sushi restaurants. They drove a BMW.
But after the birth of their daughter, everything changed. Taylor, an intelligent, career-driven, independent woman, suddenly didn’t want to spend any time away […]
By Paula Pant
Laura Adams grew up in an upper-middle-class family in South Carolina, and her parents supported her through college. She attended her top-choice school, met her husband while they were still students, and enjoyed a charmed life.
When she graduated, she continued to live at a lifestyle to which she felt accustomed. She rented a beautiful […]
By Paula Pant
Antonia, 27, wants to retire in 15 years. She’s trying to figure out whether to contribute to pre-tax or after-tax retirement accounts.
Most financial advice for 20-somethings that she’s encountered says to contribute to after-tax (Roth) retirement accounts. These articles assume that a 27-year-old will continue earning money for the next 30+ years, presumably […]
By Paula Pant
This week, former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer five questions about investing, retirement, insurance, travel and selling an expensive car.
Eliana is 25 and makes $63,000 per year, plus a little extra from freelance work. She holds $95,000 in cash, $67,000 in retirement investments, and no debt. She doesn’t necessarily hold early retirement […]
Written By Paula Pant
“My dreams feel impossible. Everything is so far away. Five more years until I pay off the car. Twelve more years until I pay off the house. Do I have to wait until I’m 50+ to enjoy life?”
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Let’s say you have a goal that’s audacious and unconventional.
You want to create […]
