This is the first of a series in which The Epoch Times will publish, chapter by chapter, the book The Secrets of Successful Financial Planning: Inside Tips From an Expert, by Dan Gallagher. Introduction For more than three decades, until my December 2017 retirement, I’ve asked clients about the financial strategies and experiences they had prior to…

It took me a dreadfully long time to understand this important truth: Money is not for spending. It is for managing first, and then for spending. It takes courage to believe it, but when you do, it will profoundly change the way you think about and manage your money. Imagine this: It’s Friday, a day…

Financial planning may be necessary but it’s also notorious for being a decidedly unpleasant experience. For many people, dealing with intimidating life events such as children in college or reaching retirement age, can trigger much emotional or mental stress. Still others may feel overwhelmed as they explore various possible scenarios, challenges, and solutions. Without doubt,…

What we all really need is the money-saving know-how that will stand strong throughout life and help us build a nest egg. So I asked some prominent experts how they save. What could we all be doing better? Their answers may surprise you. They’re not complicated at all—just simple, commonsense wisdom that will have you…

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t new, but it is evolving. The latest ChatGPT, or Chat-generated pre-trained transformer, is the newest AI to hit the headlines. Its developers claim it has numerous applications in everyday life. One such application is finance. Specifically, it could possibly be used for portfolio-allocation suggestions. But what are the strengths and limitations…

I am noticing a growing trend in my mailbox — readers in search of financial planners or advisors. Or assistants. The problem is that when taking in the message’s context it’s pretty clear that not everyone means the same thing when they refer to a financial “planner-advisor-assistant-helper.” One reader wanted to know where to find…

The arrival of a new baby is all-consuming. In the early weeks, your waking hours are a cycle of feedings, diaper changes, and Googling “Is it normal for a baby to (fill in the blank).” Mustering the energy—and attention span—for otherwise routine tasks like showering and paying bills can feel like a tall order. You’ll…

The arrival of a new baby is all-consuming. In the early weeks, your waking hours are a cycle of feedings, diaper changes, and Googling “Is it normal for a baby to (fill in the blank).” Mustering the energy—and attention span—for otherwise routine tasks like showering and paying bills can feel like a tall order. You’ll…

In hindsight, it makes sense that at and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic Americans hoarded more money than ever. BEA notes that personal income increased $107.2 billion (0.5 percent) in March 2022. While understandable, this is still should raise concerns. After all, Bankrate found that only 41 percent of Americans would be able to cover…

Over the years, I’ve noticed a growing trend in my mailbox: readers in search of financial planners or advisers—or assistants. When taken in the message’s context, it’s pretty clear that not everyone means the same thing when they refer to a financial planner-adviser-assistant-helper. One reader wanted to know where to find a financial planner who…