5 Ways FICO Calculates Your Credit Score

A credit score is a three-digit number that identifies how risky you are to a lender. One Little Three-Digit Number You may not even know you have one. If you have a utility (electricity, phone, etc.) account, a credit card, a student loan, a car payment or a mortgage, you’ve got one. You’ve got a […]

Making Your Financial Goals S.M.A.R.T.

Making Your Financial Goals S.M.A.R.T. “Preparation is the key to success.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell Setting goals, including financial goals, not only provides you direction and gives you control of your future, can give you a great sense of personal satisfaction.  Reaching your goals is possible when they are S.M.A.R.T.  – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, […]

Most Millionaires Track Their Net Worth – You Should Too

Your financial net worth is simply a snapshot of your financial health at a specific moment in time. Calculating Your Financial Net Worth Calculating your financial net worth can confirm how well you are doing on your path to financial independence. To begin calculating your financial net worth, first list all of your assets (what […]

Hello 2022!

resolutions

Welcome to 2022! At this time of year, some of say “This is the year, I will (fill in the blank).” These resolutions are created with good intentions, but often don’t quite succeed. Sometimes the resolution is a little overly ambitious and sometimes because we do not see immediate results, we give up.  The MFF […]

What’s Up With the Term “Financial Literacy?”

financial literacy

“Financial Literacy” is a term I struggle with. It’s a term that those who know about money use to talk about money with those that (they think) do not understand how money works. Hearing the term “financial literacy” is basically like fingers on a chalkboard for me – it basically comes across that you do […]

Good-bye 2021, Hello 2022!

end-of-the-year financial check-up

This is the time of year when all kinds of things are happening. It is crazy busy, the holidays come and go in the blink of an eye, and get-togethers and gift-giving are big deals. In addition to the holidays and gift-giving, we are coming up on the end of the year and for many […]

Deferred Maintenance: The Cost That Increases Over Time – and Always Catches Up to You

deferred maintenance

It seemed like a reasonable idea at the time. Maintenance is always a tough pill to swallow. You might immediately think of car or home maintenance. It also carries over to other items such as your electronic devices, appliance cleaning, lawn care, health care, fitness, and many others. Regularly scheduled maintenance is probably the cheapest […]

You Don’t Have to Quit Your Day Job

you don't have to quit your day job

I am here to tell you that you can 100% start a new business, pursue additional education or do other things without quitting your day job. Most everyone has dreamed of starting their own business or going back to school. Often the mid-afternoon (or Monday morning) daydream starts with quitting your day job and pursuing […]

What is a Personal Financial Statement?

your personal financial statement

Our Director of Operations, Mike Cashion, always offers great advice in his Two-Minute Tuesday Takeaways! This week’s quick overview of personal financial statements is full of resources you can use!

Where Will You Be in Five Years?

five year plan

Mike Cashion, MFF Director of Operations, shares his thoughts on how to think about your personal, professional and financial five year plans in this Two-Minute Tuesday Takeaway!