The News Star columns

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Question: I don’t know exactly when I want to retire, but I think it will be within the next ten years. I just don’t know where to begin figuring this out. Where do I start to get my stuff ready for me to retire?

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, February 1, 2015.

Question: I think I have enough to retire, but I’m just not sure. The good thing is I still like working. I feel like I’ll probably have enough by the time I retire that I won’t be able to spend it all. Nice problem to have. But how should I do my investments in light of all this?

Answer: Maybe you have enough. Maybe you don’t. By your own admission, you don’t know.

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Question: My husband and I set a goal this year of getting out of debt. Everything except the house. We’ve made some progress, but we are both finding it harder than we thought to slow down our spending. Frankly we both blow it under stress or when we’re not careful. Should we just bag it and try again when life is less stressful? 

Answer: “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” 

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, January 18, 2015.

Question: I would love to start my own business, but frankly I am scared that I’ll just become another statistic. But it’s one of those things that if I don’t do it, I’m afraid I’ll regret it all my life.

Answer: Fear is an emotional early warning system for impending danger or threats.

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, January 11, 2015.

Question: I am in sales related to the oil and gas industry and I am frankly worried about how this next year will play out for me. How do I set positive goals in light of these negative circumstances?

Answer: Life never goes according to plan, does it?

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, January 4, 2015.

Question: I am in sales related to the oil and gas industry and I am frankly worried about how this next year will play out for me. How do I set positive goals in light of these negative circumstances?

Answer: Preparation can always be procrastinated. Consequences cannot.

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, December 28, 2014.

Question: A few weeks ago you addressed the financial needs of someone in their 20s. That was me 10 years ago. But now I’m married with children, a mortgage, a bunch of bills and I just feel like I’m on a treadmill at work. Got any financial tips for a guy in my stage of life?

Answer: We met with Bob in a coffee shop in Dallas.

The following column was published in The News Star on Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Question: What exactly is a succession? I’ve heard the term but I don’t really know what it is. I know it has to do with what happens when someone dies. Is it required? If a spouse dies, how long do you have to file one?

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, December 14, 2014.

The following column was published in The News Star on Saturday, November 29, 2014.