A collection of audio articles by Brian Plain. Brian is a financial planner who helps Gen X families live better by blending what works for them emotionally and financially.
Not knowing what lies ahead doesn't mean you can't prepare for whatever it might be.
Expecting everything to go the way you want can be a recipe for disappointment.
How conscious are you being about your consumption?
The world goes mad sometimes. But that doesn't mean you have to go along for the ride with it.
Ignoring the noise doesn't mean you should ignore how you feel.
There's no certainty to be found in an always uncertain world but here's what is within your control.
Money decisions get complicated in the minefield of your emotions.
Feeling burnt out and/or a little numb? That's a sign it's time to turn down the volume in your life.
Your next step is the only one that really matters.
Sometimes one small change can is all you need to make a big difference.
While we're all fighting our own battles, we'll find plenty to be joyful about if we remember to look for it.
See the potential but don't forget to look at how you might get hurt.
Is your cash is flowing the right way? Here's a question to help you find your answer.
Put yourself in drivers seat by knowing how your cash is flowing.
You can't shut off your inner monologue but you can manage it.
Turn that 'should' into a 'could' and start being more intentional in your life choices.
Create a list of activities ahead of time that help out when you get stuck.
It might be too late to change what caused our regrets but that doesn't mean we can't learn from them.
Taking action is where you'll find motivation – not the other way around.
It's a lie we all tend tell ourselves often without even realizing it.
Changing your environment doesn't have to be limited to your vacations.
Getting ALL THE THINGS out of your head can help reduce the overwhelm that tends to sneak up on you.
It's a good idea to review from time to time what we've put on autopilot and see if any adjustments might be needed.
The secret to success isn't easy but it is accessible to anyone.
If you can't know what's going to happen ahead of time, how do you prepare for life's many uncertainties?
Being responsible about money should enable you to spend freely on what really matters to you.
Striving for perfection can be a useful motivator but expecting it is a fool's errand. The key is realizing that you will get knocked down and fall off the horse from time to time.
What you make of your life starts with how you see it.
The best way to escape feeling overwhelmed starts with realizing you don't have to do it all at once.
Start measuring yourself against your actions, not the outcomes that are out of your control.
Comparison becomes your default when you're not clear on what uniquely matters to you.
Acknowledging the inevitable of death can help bring urgency to what really matters in our lives.
What can you do LESS of so you can do MORE of what really matters?
Wouldn't it be great to be able to quiet that inner critic and be more present this holiday season instead?
Contrary to popular belief, nicer, bigger, and better things are NOT all that stand between us and eternal happiness.
While it's not possible to only do a single task at all times, we can start paying more attention to our…well…attention.
Where are you reacting in your life that you want to be responding instead?
Diversification isn't just for your investments.
You won't find your sense of self worth in your net worth.
There are no absolutes when it comes to managing your money and how it flows because at the end of the day, we're all trying to thread the needle.
Remember to ask yourself this question before you fall in love with your good idea.
Not worrying enough or worrying too much about your finances gets in the way of you living your best life. Here's how you can avoid both.
Two simple words can help make an often cruel world a more tolerable place – both for ourselves and others.
Before making any big life changes, remember to try the superpower that's available to you at any moment first.
Graduation season is upon us and with it comes an important question we'll ask ourselves for the rest of our lives.
Don't let worrying about the worst possible outcome prevent you from enjoying the present. Take action instead.
Aside from being one of the all-time great nannies, Mary Poppins shared some wisdom we could all put to good use.
One person's cost can be another person's investment.
A solution for manage life's uncertainty is readily available once you know what you're looking for.
Here's how we can navigate being certainty-seeking machines in a largely uncertain world.
Financial planning done right provides a flexible financial framework that acts as your own personalized operating system.