Posts by Marissa Barnhill
Why Your Retirement Lifestyle Defines Financial Independence More Than Your Net Worth Â
When people picture retirement, they often imagine a universal finish line: save enough money, leave the workforce, and enjoy financial independence. In reality, retirement rarely follows a single blueprint. Two people…
Read More5 Questions to Consider When Defining Financial IndependenceÂ
Ask ten people what financial independence after 50 means, and you’ll likely hear ten different answers. For some, it’s retiring as early as possible. For others, it’s knowing they can help their children, travel more, or simply stop…
Read MoreShould You Keep Company Stock After a Layoff? What to Consider Before You DecideÂ
A layoff can trigger a long list of financial decisions, from reviewing your severance package to figuring out healthcare coverage and planning your next career move. In the middle of all that…
Read MoreFinancial Independence Means More Than Just Reaching a Retirement NumberÂ
When most people think about financial independence after 50, they picture a number. Maybe it’s the amount in their retirement accounts or the point where they no longer must work. But for many people, especially…
Read MoreWhat Your Investment Strategy May Be Revealing About Your Financial PlanÂ
When most investors review their accounts, they focus on one question: “How is my portfolio performing?” Performance matters, but it is only part of the story. A portfolio can generate…
Read MoreCash Flow Analysis: The Financial Signals Hidden in Your Cash FlowÂ
Many people assume that if their accounts are growing, their income is strong, and the bills are getting paid, their finances are on track. What often gets overlooked is the story unfolding…
Read MoreWhy Mid-Year Tax Planning Matters More Than Most People RealizeÂ
Many people think tax planning happens in November or December. In reality, many of the decisions that shape your eventual tax outcome are already in motion by the middle of the year. …
Read MoreMid-Year Spending Review: What Your First 6 Months of Spending May Be RevealingÂ
Most spending changes do not happen all at once. They happen gradually through more travel, rising healthcare costs, recurring subscriptions, and convenience purchases that slowly become routine. Over time, these shifts…
Read MoreTech Layoffs and AMT: The Stock Option Tax Surprise Many Employees MissÂ
Tech layoffs across the Bay Area and Silicon Valley have forced many employees to make important financial decisions quickly. Most attention naturally goes toward severance, healthcare coverage, and finding the…
Read MoreHow Social Security Fits Into Your Broader Income and Tax StrategyÂ
Most people think of Social Security as a fixed income stream that simply shows up in retirement, something reliable that sits alongside the rest of their finances without much interaction. …
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