Life Planning

I realized that compounding was an awesome concept. Today those initially piddling amounts have grown to provide an enviable cash flow that allows me to live well and give to worthy causes.

One of my favorite things I’ve been able to do with money was something I did after finishing school, moving, and getting my first full-time job. I was out on my own, and I wanted to do something extra once I was independent.

When our children were young, we decided to budget for memory making. Birthdays, holiday celebrations and family vacations became our primary memory making tools. We invested in birthdays.

What is my favorite thing I’ve done with money? Feed others.

I recently established the “Moving Forward On Your Own,” charitable gift fund, which benefits widows and their families.

“One of the young men was leaving for Afghanistan the next day.”

Other than Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens’s story “A Christmas Carol,” Tiny Tim is certainly the most memorable character. Dickens used the boy in the story to soften the hearts of both Scrooge and his readers toward the worthy poor.

George Marotta, also known as “Papa” to me, is quite a fount of wisdom and knowledge. In this post, I give you Papa Marotta and a little bit of wisdom I managed to get him to share on grandchildren.

I can’t control the markets, but I can focus on what is important.

We’ve made contributing to microfinance a part of our annual charitable giving and in lieu of gifts to one another.

The best money decision I have made is purchasing the property I use for my business. The advantages are far greater than those of owning vs. renting a home.

With impulses reeling, it is easy to find a gift that children will appreciate but difficult to find one that they will love to have. The gifts that I loved to have and the presents that I still cherish are the vocational gifts that my parents purchased for me.

“Sleeping well at night knowing our household is 100% debt free is truly priceless.” – Manisha Thakor, personal finance expert & author.

“Sunrises in my rocking chair, sipping coffee and watching the fog unveil each day.”

True life planning begins when you realize you are unique. There will never be another you in the history of the universe. Your calling is yours alone. Understanding yourself is the first step in managing your financial affairs to support your life plan.

Even though money was tight, having margin in our budget for unknown unknowns kept us from punishing a student simply because they lacked experience bidding painting jobs.

Just a few weeks ago, my wife and I were going to join a diverse group of friends for dinner. My wife said we would bring dessert but on the day of the event, there was no time for baking.

Perhaps one of the most important parts of wealth management is learning what questions are worth asking.

Often times I wouldn’t buy for myself what my parents thought was needed. Items my parents thought were essential for me to own were purchased by them.

Multifamily offices and private banks see an increasing need for self-defense programs that help protect their wealthy clients.

A collection of articles from and about third quarter 2011.

Children of the rich and famous are not immune to the temptations and foolish behavior that sometimes plague the rest of this generation’s youth.

Father George Marotta and son David John Marotta were featured in an article in Financial Planning magazine.

Most of us rationalize why we can’t get our finances together right now. Many Americans prolong these excuses during their entire working careers. Here are three lies you must stop telling yourself in order to build a solid financial foundation.

I was asked to speak at the Leadership Development Center at the University of Virginia’s EAN Annual Conference on Thursday, August 4th 2001. I’ve collected links to all the resources I mentioned in that talk here in one place.

Save your money for what you are truly passionate about.

The old saying is true: Money can’t buy happiness. Families earning $25,000 a year overspend trying to keep up with those making $50,000, who in turn attempt to live like those making $100,000. For many families the lure of consumerism wins out over qualities like foresight and patience that saving requires.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

“It is not enough to seize power or to change wherein society power lies. With power must come an inner sense of connection to others.”

The two men see opportunities and the risk excites them. Even soliciting funds for the poor is an integral part of their entrepreneurial spirit.

Imagine that your doctor shocks you with the news that you only have 24 hours to live. Notice what feelings arise as you confront your very real mortality. Ask yourself: What did you miss? Who did you not get to be? What did you not get to do?

“Imagine that you visit your doctor, who tells you that you have only 5-10 years to live. You won’t ever feel sick, but you will have no notice of the moment of your death. What will you do in the time you have remaining? Will you change your life and how will you do it?”

Life planning takes a holistic look at what you truly value. And for most people, their life is more important than their money. Only after exploring your life goals can you structure your finances to help you realize your dreams.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Life Planning is an important part of the wealth management process. It’s not enough to have money; you need to know what the money is for.

Misers may sleep well tonight, but they won’t eat well in 20 years.

Entrepreneurship is for those who feel empowered by hard work, not those trying to escape it.

David Marotta discusses learning to live on your own after college.

Every year many of us make New Year’s resolutions and then can’t follow through because we claim we’re too busy.

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. But for too many of us, it’s the season that unravels the careful financial planning of the previous 11 months. So this year, instead of trading your financial goals for a mountain of gifts and debt, take a moment to contemplate how a spiritual perspective can help you put your wealth in perspective.

Philip Zimbardo’s latest book, “The Time Paradox” suggests that understanding your own time perspective may help you unlock the secrets of financial freedom. In other words, how we think determines who we are and what we do.

David Marotta discusses celebrating Christmas.

Scrooge’s riches did not make him happy. Fezziwig’s celebration did not make him poor.