Hi Javier, great post to jumpstart FP conversations! In the late 1990s while my children were toddlers I took and passed the 5 CFP classes at DePaul University. My career as a CPA led me down various paths--audit, a bit of tax, and a lot of bookkeeping/accounting manager work. Unfortunately I felt I never had the "right" hours of work experience to take the exam to earn the CFP trademark after my name. My love of FP has to be genetic, I've been wired this way since childhood, maybe because my folks had some money issues. In hindsight, they had impulse control issues, but I digress. I've always been a good saver, thrifty, and ready to play the long game. Fortunately, my spendthrift husband has been trainable. 😀
So I view my educational background, as well as his finance/MBA credentials as a "get out of paying a planner" card. I'm well-read on the subject and my husband at least dips his toes into it with Kiplingers. As far as Q2, folks are not thinking of their 60, 70, 80 year old selves. Now more than ever they are concerned about making it to the next payday. So thinking of having wiggle room for saving might seem impossible.
I periodically share our Quicken net worth statement with our three sons. The oldest is our executor so he knows our logistical details. All three know where the passwords are. I'm gaining a daughter soon through marriage. Fortunately her folks are very comfortable so all green lights for the newlyweds--they both are debt free out of the gate. As Jonathan often mentioned, since he could have family members be a financial backstop he could afford to be more heavily invested in the stock market. I hope our children feel the same way. The youngest has the highest earnings so far and has always been in the market since being a teen. I aim to start giving higher value cash gifts for birthdays and Christmas--I'll be shedding some of my "skin-flinty" ways. Our favorite charities have always been top of mind. We've been retired for a few years and besides hefty health insurance premiums, we're enjoying a good financial groove.
Congratulations on your new chapter & home. Please consider posting your moving boxes and packing material on your local Buy Nothing Group to give it another shot at use before it inevitably hits the landfill.
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I finished it this week. It was comforting to read familiar words of advice from our dear friend. Kudos for including plenty on happiness!
Post: Money & Me (Kindle version) has dropped
Link to comment from June 6, 2026
Hi Javier, great post to jumpstart FP conversations! In the late 1990s while my children were toddlers I took and passed the 5 CFP classes at DePaul University. My career as a CPA led me down various paths--audit, a bit of tax, and a lot of bookkeeping/accounting manager work. Unfortunately I felt I never had the "right" hours of work experience to take the exam to earn the CFP trademark after my name. My love of FP has to be genetic, I've been wired this way since childhood, maybe because my folks had some money issues. In hindsight, they had impulse control issues, but I digress. I've always been a good saver, thrifty, and ready to play the long game. Fortunately, my spendthrift husband has been trainable. 😀 So I view my educational background, as well as his finance/MBA credentials as a "get out of paying a planner" card. I'm well-read on the subject and my husband at least dips his toes into it with Kiplingers. As far as Q2, folks are not thinking of their 60, 70, 80 year old selves. Now more than ever they are concerned about making it to the next payday. So thinking of having wiggle room for saving might seem impossible.
Post: The Quiet Failure of Good Advice
Link to comment from June 6, 2026
I periodically share our Quicken net worth statement with our three sons. The oldest is our executor so he knows our logistical details. All three know where the passwords are. I'm gaining a daughter soon through marriage. Fortunately her folks are very comfortable so all green lights for the newlyweds--they both are debt free out of the gate. As Jonathan often mentioned, since he could have family members be a financial backstop he could afford to be more heavily invested in the stock market. I hope our children feel the same way. The youngest has the highest earnings so far and has always been in the market since being a teen. I aim to start giving higher value cash gifts for birthdays and Christmas--I'll be shedding some of my "skin-flinty" ways. Our favorite charities have always been top of mind. We've been retired for a few years and besides hefty health insurance premiums, we're enjoying a good financial groove.
Post: Time to share our financial info with children?
Link to comment from June 6, 2026
Congratulations on your new chapter & home. Please consider posting your moving boxes and packing material on your local Buy Nothing Group to give it another shot at use before it inevitably hits the landfill.
Post: Moving is Expensive!
Link to comment from June 6, 2026