It’s been a whirlwind month for student loan borrowers, as the Trump administration has taken a series of actions that have plunged repayment and student loan forgiveness programs into turmoil and uncertainty. Many borrowers may feel paralyzed. In February, following a new ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in an ongoing legal challenge over the Biden-era SAVE plan, the Trump administration effectively shut down the entire income-driven repayment plan system. The U.S. Department of Education removed the online and paper applications for income-driven repayment, and ordered loan servicers to stop processing any pending IDR requests, including for repayment…

My previous post, Being Sad Is Expensive: How Your Money-Mindset Matters showed how emotions play a crucial role in shaping financial behavior. One potential explanation for why this is comes from the broaden and build theory of positive emotions (BBT), which argues that positive emotions tend to allow a person to grow in such a way that they develop new skills that lead towards greater financial resources. Understanding this connection between emotions and financial resources can give entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals a competitive advantage in wealth-building and long-term financial well-being. But, why, exactly, are emotions connected to financial resources?…

Dr. Jordan Peterson is controversial, with large camps of fans and detractors. He offers opinions on a wide range of topics. By accident, I ran across his opinion that equity is the same as equality of outcome. According to dictionary definitions and previous research, he’s misusing the term. Unintentionally, I would suspect, because whether you agree with him on a topic or not, Peterson does seem sincere. However, many others also misuse or misconstrue equity and its place in society, so let us start with some definitions. What Equity Means Merriam-Webster offers the following major definitions: The fair or just…

Building financial independence isn’t just about saving—it’s about growing your income and taking charge of your future by making wise decisions. For many, that means starting a business to fuel their financial freedom. In the past, launching a company—especially one in tech—came with a pricey tag. However, today, costs have dropped, making entrepreneurship attainable and more accessible than ever. For those who have hesitated due to financial concerns, now may be the right time to take the leap. Advances in technology have eliminated many of the barriers that once made starting a business expensive, allowing more people to turn their…

I’d bet a pint of Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day that anyone who’s been a financial advisor for more than a minute has been faced with a client crying at some point. Some would even argue, only half kiddingly, that if you haven’t had someone cry in your presence as a financial advisor, you’re probably not doing it right. But almost none of us have gotten any training on what to do—and what not to do—when a client reaches that intensity of emotion in our presence. Yet there is a right and wrong way to handle it; or, at least,…

Many Amazon sellers are small business owners relying on the platform as a side job to earn extra income or as the backbone of their small and medium-sized businesses. For these entrepreneurs, every dollar counts, and losing revenue to fulfillment mishaps can have a significant impact on their bottom line. The $1.2 billion lost annually due to misplaced inventory, damaged goods, and overlooked discrepancies isn’t just a statistic—it’s a direct hit to their ability to grow, reinvest, and stay competitive. Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program has revolutionized e-commerce, but it’s not without its pitfalls. Every year, millions of sellers…

A Roth solo 401(k) can make up for the loss of your access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Planning for retirement is crucial, especially for self-employed individuals or those without access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. One effective option to consider is the Solo 401(k), also known as an Individual 401(k) or Self-Employed 401(k). This plan offers significant tax advantages and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for business owners without full-time employees. What is a Roth Solo 401(k)? A Roth Solo 401(k) is a retirement savings plan designed specifically for self-employed individuals or business owners with no full-time employees, except…

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) on March 21, 2025, announced that it has issued an interim final rule that eliminates the requirement for U.S. companies and persons to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) as still required by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This means, however, that non-U.S. companies with certain contacts to the U.S. will still have to file the BOI report, though these companies need not report the beneficial ownership of U.S. equity owners and those U.S. equity owners of foreign companies are no longer required to file a separate report. The CTA allowed the Treasury Department…

Scams are an ever-present part of life but sometimes it’s worth calling out some of the new ones to remember vigilance and some basic safety tips. No, Warren Buffett Isn’t Sharing Stock Tips With You This first scam is pernicious because it’s a crude example of what will be coming, only more convincing. I don’t remember where on social media I saw this but there is a video clip of famous investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. You hear what sounds to be his voice claiming that you can be updated on what he’s investing in and then get…

This article explores the mechanics of panic selling, how it damages your portfolio, and what you can do to stay on track. If you’ve ever been tempted to sell during a market crash, this guide will help you make better-informed decisions and build lasting wealth. What Is Panic Selling? Panic selling is when you hastily liquidate your assets in response to a sharp market downturn. This reaction is driven by fear rather than a rational assessment of a stock’s value or a company’s long-term prospects. It often results in significant financial losses because you sell at a low point and…