Here’s what I’ve enjoyed reading this past week or so:

You Can’t Invest Without Trading. You Can Trade Without Investing

Confusing, eh? It’s a concept I talk a lot about with clients – the difference between investing and speculating. It’s hard not to have FOMO when all the financial pornography out there makes you feel like everyone else is getting rich without you. Networks, websites, and newspapers (yes, I still actually read the paper format ) make money by getting your eyeballs on their shows/sites/ stories. A story of a solid financial plan, prudent investments, and patience isn’t super exciting and doesn’t attract many eyeballs.

These 7 Best Friends Built a House to Grow Old Together In

A friend shared this with me. I LOVE the idea. Golden Girls, but better! Only question is where! My vote is for SoCal coast or Costa del Sol in Spain. Where would you want to grow old with your 7 BFFs?

Refinery29’s Money Diaries – Living in the Bay Area on a $1.3 Million Income

Most people feel like talking about money is taboo or inappropriate so we don’t have a true sense of how other people use or spend their money. We can mistakenly assume that someone else’s finances are rainbow and unicorns. Refinery29’s Money Diaries attempts to demystify money by taking us into the private spending lives of different people with different incomes in various cities for a week. I always find it super interesting to read how individuals approach money, but particularly in cities that I have lived in or visited.

This recent post grabbed my attention since I spent 9+ years in the Bay Area. Disappointingly, the Bay Area couple were in Seattle during their week of Money Diaries. The writer shares the tip of paying yourself first! This is not one of the better ones I have read, but new diaries come out weekly.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15th

Ok, so I didn’t “enjoy” reading this article. Yesterday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. According to the United Nations, elder abuse is “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.” Sadly, financial exploitation of seniors takes place way too often. Ick. BW Financial Planning is AARP BankSafe Trained and is committed to protecting clients of all ages.

We are Financial Advisors… but not like that

Imagine you are at a cocktail party and the person you just met tells you that she is a Financial Advisor. Do you run because you think you are about to be sold something? I do! I don’t have a positive view of the term “Financial Advisor” because of the industry’s deserved reputation of hard sales and hidden fees (and misogyny and racism…) So, you may notice when you ask me what I do for a living that I inadvertently cringe, stiffen, and/or look like a deer in headlights. I am uncomfortable calling myself a Financial Advisor even though it is the perfect description of what I do! And I love what I do!

I posed the question of what to call myself to Carl Richards, best selling author and NY Times contributor. He posted our conversation on linkedin. ? Oh boy. You know how much I love the camera (not so much)…