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Unlocking the Power of QCDs: Smart Giving for Savvy Retirees
Retirement can present unique challenges and opportunities to your financial life. One...
Credit Scores Demystified — What Really Matters
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial Credit scores feel like financial report...
How to Pay Off Debt (and When NOT To)
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial Paying off debt feels like a no-brainer,...
Building Your Emergency Fund — Without Feeling Deprived
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial Emergencies don’t schedule themselves. A...
The Power of Budgeting — Beyond Cutting Coffee
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial Budgeting gets a bad rap. Most people...
Setting Financial Goals That Actually Stick
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial How many times have you set a financial...
Why Most People Fail at Money and How You Can Win
By Elliot Pepper, CFP®, CPA | Northbrook Financial You know the drill: Spend less than you...
Donor Advised Funds 101: Using the Tax Code to Maximize Charity and Lower Your Bill to Uncle Sam
You want to be generous. You want to support causes that matter to you. But you also...
Getting Out of Our Own Way: How We can Be Our Own Worst Enemy When It Comes to Money Habits
Most of us don’t need a villain in our financial story—we’ve already got one. It’s us. From...
Too Legit to Quit: The Proven Benefits of Long-Term Investing in the S&P 500
When it comes to investing, everyone wants the secret sauce. The one trick that turns your...
Portfolios Are Not Plans: The Importance of Having an Actual Financial Plan for Yourself
Imagine you’re building a house. Would you start by purchasing bricks, wood, and nails...
What’s So Great About a Roth IRA Anyway?
Understanding “Tax-Free” Assets and When They Make Sense for You If you’ve been hanging...
Dave Ramsey: Making the Money Baby Steps Work for you.
Few names in personal finance spark as much debate as Dave Ramsey. His “Baby Steps” plan...
Save What Is Left After Spending or Spend What Is Left After Saving?
There are few things more exciting than seeing your wealth grow over time, but as your...
Insurance: What It Is, Why It’s Important, and Best Practices
Insurance is a financial safety net, protecting you and your family from unexpected...
Investing in Stocks and Bonds vs. Mutual Funds and ETFs: What’s Right for You?
Introduction Previously, we explored the tremendous power of compounding and how it can help...
Tax Planning Strategies to Maximize Savings and Minimize Stress
Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. With proper planning, individual taxpayers can...
Financial New Year’s Resolutions That Actually Work
The clock strikes midnight, the confetti flies, and suddenly, you’re filled with a sense of...
The Power of Smart Money Habits
When we think about achieving financial success, we often picture grand strategies, complex...
Tax Ninja: Slashing Your Tax Bill with Smart Income Strategies for a Wealthier Future
There are few things more exciting than seeing your wealth grow over time, but as your...



















