Emily Guy Birken

So much of our lives is spent online, we need a digital estate plan to cover our virtual assets, from bank accounts to crypto currency. Chances are good you’ve never considered the need for a digital estate plan. But you’ve […]

Planning for the end of your life is no one’s idea of a good time. But thinking ahead about the inevitable can save you and your loved ones from a lot of heartache. A few years ago, when a friend

No one intends to leave behind a financial, logistical, and emotional mess for their loved ones—but an estate plan is easy to screw up. Make sure you avoid the most common pitfalls. Estate planning is the ultimate important but (seemingly)

Your money fears provide job security to financial advisers. Here, how to find a money planner you can trust. I’ll let you in on a little secret: Even money experts can feel intimidated when walking into a financial adviser’s office

Receiving a windfall may feel like a simple case of good fortune—but when the money is part of an inheritance, be prepared for complications. When my father passed away in 2013, my sister and I learned that we were the

Spaving, where you spend more to save more, is the latest financial trend. But this new strategy is really just an old marketing trick. Sometime in the mid 1980s, my stepfather was in need of a 15mm socket. At Sears,

Caregiving for elderly parents is costly, whether you’re spending time or money. Here’s how to make the math work for your family budget. As an adult, you’ve gotten used to certain things about your parents that your childhood never prepared

One of the most difficult aspects of caring for elderly parents is figuring out when and how to start taking over their finances. Here’s how to keep their finances (and your relationship) intact. As your parents age, it can often

Social media is full of dubious money advice. Guard yourself from bogus financial influencers by cultivating a healthy skepticism. Financial influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms claim to have the secrets that “they” (professional money advisors) don’t want

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is dominating the box office, and if you revisit the original 1988 paranormal comedy, you’ll discover some surprising economic insights. For nearly 40 years, the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice has maintained his position as the “ghost with the most.” His