A Retirement Story: How Debt Can Destroy a Family

Brian Fricke, CFP®Debt

This story may seem dramatic, but I tell it as a cautionary tale of how easy it is to fall into debt and live a lifestyle that isn’t realistic due to the illusion debt creates. As retirement approaches, the hard truth that you may not be able to live the retirement you hoped for can be tough to accept. A … Read More

Be Happily Debt Free

Brian Fricke, CFP®Debt, Investing

The single biggest obstacle to building and keeping wealth is debt. That’s right—debt! If you’re paying an increasing amount each month to pay off loans or credit cards, you are in good company. The average American carries an estimated $10,000 in credit card debt. Regardless of your circumstances, try to imagine having no credit card, car or mortgage payments. I … Read More

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?

Brian Fricke, CFP®Mortgages

Planning for retirement brings up numerous and varied questions about how best to plan for your financial future. One of those often is: Should you pay off your mortgage? The short answer is yes. One of the best ways to lessen the stress of worrying about the economy or the direction of the stock market is to own your home debt … Read More