Managing Your Monthly Money Leaks This Year: Spending on non-essential services can hinder your wealth-building efforts
From streaming services and gym memberships to AI assistants and meal kit deliveries, the modern economy thrives on subscriptions. While these recurring charges offer convenience, they can also create a silent drain on your finances. How can you take control of your subscriptions without sacrificing what matters most? The Rise of the Subscription Economy The…
Read MoreEmergency Funds & Strategic Debt Management : The long-term benefits make these foundational efforts worth the investment
Strong emergency savings and thoughtful debt strategies are critical for staying secure and flexible through life’s changes. And financial security begins with two foundational habits: building emergency savings and managing debt effectively. While these areas may not be the most glamorous, they form the essential groundwork for achieving all other financial goals. Emergency Savings: Your…
Read MoreStart 2026 With a Financial Backup Plan
By Doug Reed How to regain control after a layoff—and design a smarter path to retirement A new year always gives us permission to pause. To breathe. To take stock. But if you’ve gone through a layoff—or you’re worried one could be coming—that pause isn’t just symbolic. It’s necessary. At Life By Design 360, we…
Read MoreA New Year Isn’t About Resolutions — It’s About Redesigning Your Financial Life
By Doug Reed The start of a new year has a way of waking people up. Suddenly, we’re motivated to eat better, clean out the garage, or finally tackle that stack of unopened mail on the kitchen counter. But for many people, the real questions show up around money. Am I on track? Am I…
Read MoreFinancial Discipline Is an Easy Resolution to Make, but a Hard One to Keep
We all say we want to save more and spend less. The key is to think more broadly. By Annabelle Williams for WSJ January is often thought of as a blank slate, a white canvas on which to paint a new self. For me, it’s an opportunity to establish some balance in my life. It’s the…
Read MoreThree Year-End Strategies That Can Cut Your 2025 Tax Bill
By Robyn A. Friedman Did you lose your job this year and receive a severance payment for which taxes are due? Maybe you inherited money or earned more than expected and face a bigger tax bill than you planned for. Or perhaps you’re just looking to reduce the taxes you’ll have to pay on this year’s…
Read MoreMaking Christmas joyful without the financial strain
The festive season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and giving, but it can also bring a significant financial burden. With the right strategies, however, it’s possible to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you save some of your hard earned money and manage your finances during the…
Read More6 Financial Do’s and Don’ts for the Holidays
While you might look forward to attending fun events and spending time with loved ones this holiday season, it’s probably a much different story for your holiday spending. A recent Thrivent survey found that half of Americans were worried about money management over the holidays, and an even larger percentage was looking to cut their expenses. In a recent YouTube…
Read MoreTax-Loss Harvesting and Year-End Tax Planning Turning Market Volatility into Opportunity
Retirees often see volatility as a threat to hard-earned nest eggs, but with careful tax planning, it can also be an opportunity. As 2025 draws to a close, savvy tax moves—especially tax-loss harvesting—can make a measurable difference in your after-tax income, portfolio sustainability, and peace of mind. What Is Tax-Loss Harvesting? Tax-loss harvesting is the…
Read MoreCharitable Donations: The Basics of Giving
Donating to eligible charities can help lower your taxes, but how you donate can make a big difference, both for you and the charities you support. Remember the adage “It’s better to give than to receive”? If your financial goals include giving to causes that are important to you, you can strategize to make the…
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