Library

If you’re earning (and spending) a decent income, but still aren’t even remotely happy with your life, it might be time for a little life overhaul. I’ve been using the happiness per dollar concept recently to adjust how I spend my money and my time.

The amount of happiness each dollar buys us is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes a small purchase results in a huge happiness boost, and larger ones none at all. Sometimes we delay a large purchase because it seems wasteful or extravagant, even though it would actually bring us a huge amount of happiness.

I’ve been experimenting a little, and in my opinion the key to re-vamping your life lies in honestly answering the following questions.

What Makes You Happy and Why?

This sounds like a simple question, but a lack of clarity around it is at the heart of a lot of wasteful spending. It’s worth really giving some thought to what actually makes you happy, both in the moment and long-term.

It’s also important to know why certain things make you happy, because the emotion or result you’re paying for might be available cheaper elsewhere.

A couple of tricks that might help:

Keep a happiness log. You can do this via a journal, notes on your phone, or even an app. Keep a record of how you feel throughout your day (and week) and why. Don’t just rely on your brain, because it has no idea what makes you happy. Track your real-time emotions.
The ‘ideal day’ exercise. Design your idea day, truthfully. Don’t go straight to “I’m sitting on a yacht…”. Think about actual days you’ve had that have left you feeling happy, calm and fulfilled. Then do your ideal week, and maybe your ideal month.

What Does It Cost?

Look at what the things that make you happy cost. Here is where you’ll really work out your happiness per dollar. You may find that the things that bring you true joy are low-cost or even no-cost. Things like walking in nature and swimming in a lake. You may find they’re very expensive. Think things like playing golf, skiing and international travel.

It’s time to re-design your life with that in mind. Draw up a schedule for the next month. Add in lots of any no-cost or low-cost happiness boosters on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, and budget properly for the ones that cost a lot.

Budgeting for your higher-cost happiness boosters is an important step. We all need some fun money, but fun can get out of control quickly. Budgeting for fun makes it much more guilt-free. If it’s in your budget, it’s fine to spend on it.

What Practical Steps Can You Take to Increase Your Happiness Per Dollar?

When I tried this exercise I found there were four main steps I needed to focus on to re-design my life with a much higher happiness per dollar ratio.

Eliminating What Doesn’t Make You Happy

This is a simple one. If you’re spending money on something because you think you should, or it makes other people happy (not including your actual dependents) then you can probably drop that.

Spending on Different Things

I found that I needed to make a few shifts to spend on different things. I recognized the benefit, for example, of outsourcing the chores I hate and using that time on no-cost and low-cost things I love.

Using What You Already Spend On

For me, reading, music, and practicing yoga make me happy, but I have very little time to spend on them. Therefore subscriptions to services that provide unlimited ebooks, music streaming, and yoga classes were technically a waste of money, but only because I wasn’t using them. My life re-design scheduled in time for all these (very low-cost) activities.

Reducing Costs on Expensive Happiness-Boosters

If you love to travel there’s no need to give it up. But your happiness per dollar will be even higher with a little travel hacking. Love those expensive music festivals or yoga retreats? Volunteering at them can bring costs down (and sometimes happiness up). If there’s anything that makes you happy but costs a lot, see if you can keep it in your life, but at a slightly lower cost.

Re-designing your life sounds like a big task. But being both happier and richer is worth the work.

About the Author

Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine. Learn More About Karen

It’s not always easy to tell when Gen X are in trouble. We were the generation raised to sort out our own problems, or brush them under the rug. On the whole we’re stoic, cynical, and have a tendency to pride ourselves on not starting or fueling drama. So it’s not surprising that many of us are quietly drowning, financially speaking.

Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen X are now in later midlife, often juggling mortgages, other debts, and kids’ ever-rising college costs, while trying to save for retirement too, which is perhaps why The Economist suggests that Gen X is the real loser generation.

It doesn’t help that many of us are now cutting back on work to provide care to ageing parents. To top it off Gen X were the ones who raised Gen Z, known for often relying on the Bank of Mom and Dad. And — perhaps as a backlash to their own haphazard and somewhat feral childhood and adolescence — Gen X as a group seem to want to support their kids as much as they possibly can.

So if you’re Gen X and quietly drowning, it’s time to look at some fixes and see if things can be improved. Here are a few things to consider.

Address Retirement Planning

While there are no doubt plenty of exceptions, Gen X as a whole hasn’t saved enough for retirement. Addressing that should probably be priority number one for most, and it may mean making some hard decisions, like putting retirement savings ahead of paying for college education.

Before you have a meltdown at the thought of it, talk to your kids, if they’re not yet college age. Many young adults are reacting to the extreme levels of student debt they see others dealing with, and opting for more practical community college courses or other options. They may even be happy to have some pressure taken off.

Then it’s time to really assess all your retirement savings — and goals — and put a plan in place. You may have more options than you think, especially if you’re hurtling towards an empty nest with lots of equity in your home. Downsizing is an obvious option, as is renting out part of your property, or all of it if you want to relocate in retirement, perhaps somewhere to somewhere with a lower cost of living.

Kerry Hannon, coauthor of the book Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future stresses that Gen X still have options when it comes to retirement. Speaking in an interview with Kiplinger, she points out:

As they become empty nesters, Gen Xers will have more opportunity to become super savers and take advantage of things like the catch-up contributions that people 50 and older can make to their retirement accounts.

So you have options. Just act on them now rather than later.

Deal with That Debt

I often give people the advice that they need to “deal with debt”, because it’s not always helpful to say “eliminate debt” or simply “pay debt off”. Gen X now carry some of the highest and most crushing debt, compared to other age groups, and that can’t be paid off quickly and easily.

Dealing with debt simply means assessing exactly what you owe and making a plan to pay it down. That alone makes many people feel much more in control of their finances, and is always worth doing.

Most of Gen X still have a mortgage, but they also carry a lot of high-interest credit card debt, which should be a first priority. Paying down high-interest debt puts you back in charge of your income. It’s worth considering consolidation loans, re-financing packages, and moving credit and charge card debt on to 0% cards, with a plan to pay them off before any more interest kicks in.

More drastic measures are worth considering too. Like the property downsizing mentioned above. For some it may be the only way they’ll fully clear their mortgage, especially if they’ve re-financed multiple times. As always, it’s worth talking to a professional (or several) at this point. Perhaps a credit counsellor to really make the best plan to repay current debts, and a retirement planner for other options you might have missed.

Be Realistic About Inheritance

Gen Xers do have one potential advantage. They’re often the kids of older generations who lived through simpler (and much more affordable) times. Their parents bought homes when they came at a very reasonable cost, and existed in a stable job market where re-financing wasn’t as needed as it often is now.

According to a report from Wealth-X an upcoming generational wealth Transfer will see 1.2 million individuals worth $5 million or more passing on a total of over $31 trillion to their inheritors, by 2033.

While this will only apply to the minority, there are plenty of ordinary middle-class families handing over houses they once bought for five-figure sums and are now worth closer to seven figures. And some of Gen X are relying on that inheritance for their retirement savings.

That’s all fine, but life is unpredictable. Not all parents are going to be able or willing to hand that money to their kids. Elder care is hugely expensive, and many have no real plan for it other than to use their current capital (including home equity). Meaning your parents care in their old age can wipe out the inheritance you were expecting.

Depending on where in the world you live, taxes can also take a chunk, and big families will be splitting that windfall many ways. Inheritance, for most, is probably best looked at as a bonus, not a retirement plan.

Accept Your Own Mortality

A report from Western & Southern Financial Group found that around half of American adults don’t have any kind of life insurance, and about a quarter of those only have a group life policy from their employer which, depending on their circumstances, may not be adequate for their needs. The numbers of Gen Xers with some kind of life cover in place stands at around 55%.

No-one wants to address the worst case scenario, but it’s worth looking into whether life insurance is a good investment for you and your family. While you’re at it, now is as good a time as any to create or review your entire estate plan. That includes drafting or updating your will, getting Power of Attorney in place, and updating beneficiaries on things like insurance policies and pension pots.

Don’t forget to consider digital estate planning too. And ensure that paperwork is in order so beneficiaries can actually find it and act on it. Putting your affairs in order makes you feel better and saves a lot of unnecessary stress for your family, should the worst happen.

About the Author

Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine. Learn More About Karen

Find financial advisors in Davenport, Iowa ready to help with your financial planning needs so you can enjoy life more with less money stress.

Whether you have lived in Davenport for years or recently moved to town, you may need help finding the right financial advisor in the community best suited for your individual needs.

It’s important to first consider your own financial planning priorities before choosing an advisor. Here are a few quick tips to help you get started along with financial advisors in Davenport featured on Wealthtender you may want to add to your shortlist.

Featured Davenport Financial Advisors

As you prepare to interview financial advisors in Davenport who may be right for you, get to know local financial advisors featured on Wealthtender.

📍 Map: Financial Advisors with their Primary Office Location in Davenport

Double-click (or pinch the map on mobile devices) to zoom in and expand the details for financial advisors whose primary office location is in Davenport.

📍Double-click or pinch pins to view more.

Using the Happiness per Dollar Concept to Re-Design Your Life

0 Ratings

Four Financial Fixes That Gen X Need to Consider

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor in Davenport, Iowa

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor for Ironman Athletes?

0 Ratings

Is Dying With Zero Really Practical?

0 Ratings

Your Itron Benefits & Career: Financial Planning for Employees and Executives

0 Ratings

Ask an Advisor: Feeling Stuck with Finances? How to Stop Feeling Paralyzed by Financial Choices

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor in Pennington, New Jersey?

0 Ratings

Prenups & Postnups: A Practical Tool for Blended Families

0 Ratings

The Benefits of Hiring a Financial Advisor in Davenport

Hiring a financial advisor can be a great move to help you build a long-term investing strategy. Advisors can help you build an investment portfolio to meet your financial goals and help you plan appropriately for retirement.

As a resident living in Davenport, hiring a financial advisor who lives nearby and understands the local economy, cost of living, and regional employers can be quite valuable, especially if your individual circumstances are deeply tied to such factors.

Do you work for one of the largest employers in Davenport? If so, there’s a good chance the local financial advisor you hire will also have other clients who work there. This knowledge could prove valuable if they are already familiar with your employee benefits, such as a 401(k) plan, Health Savings Accounts, and other components of your total compensation package.

When you reach out to financial advisors you’re considering hiring, let them know where you work and ask if they are familiar with your employer’s unique benefits and compensation structure.

Quick Tips For Hiring an Davenport Financial Advisor

Before hiring a financial advisor in Davenport, here are a few quick tips to help you find the best advisor for you.

1. Decide Which Services You Need

Before hiring an advisor, determine what services you need from them. Whether it’s full-service investment management or a plan focused on a specific area of your finances, put together a list of what you’d like help with before contacting an advisor.

Though most people use a financial planner simply to invest for retirement, this is only a small part of what many advisors offer. Here’s a quick rundown of potential services a financial advisor may offer you:

Budgeting and money management
Debt management
Insurance planning
Retirement planning
Other investment planning
Inheritance planning
Estate planning
Tax planning

As you can see, financial advisors can help you with your entire financial picture, not just investing. As you start to plan for life’s bigger milestones, you should consider finding a financial advisor that specializes in those areas.

Finding the right advisor can help you minimize risk, maximize gains and take advantage of tax breaks while investing for your future. They can also help you protect your assets with the right kinds of insurance and help you pass on your financial legacy with a proper estate plan.

2. Consider Your Budget and Payment Preferences

Once you have a list of services you would like, review the fee structures financial advisors offer. Finding a balance between the services you need and the cost of those services will help narrow down the field of advisors you may want to work with.

If you are looking for a full-service advisor to manage all of your investments, consider searching among fee-based financial advisors. If you want to manage your money yourself, consider the flat fee and monthly subscription advisors for ongoing support.

3. Interview Multiple Financial Advisors

Once you have chosen the services and fee structure you prefer, it’s time to contact a few advisors and interview them. Here are questions to ask financial advisors:

What services do you provide?
What are all the ways you get paid? (fee transparency)
What is your investment strategy?
How do you measure investment performance?
How do we communicate about my plan?

Interview multiple advisors to get a feel for who you want to work with. A combination of fees, services, and customer service will help you determine the best fit for your financial advice.

4. Review Financial Advisor Credentials

Once you find an advisor (or two) you feel comfortable with, it’s always a good practice to check their credentials and the firm’s details. You can do this at the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website.

You can check both the individual and the firm to view their background and experience details, as well as any disciplinary action taken against them or their firm.

As licensed financial professionals, there is oversight into how financial advisors conduct business, so running a quick (free) check on them is recommended.

For additional information about advisor credentials, read our article to learn the most popular designations held by financial advisors, as well as specialized credentials which may be important to consider if you have unique financial planning needs.

Frequently Asked Questions & Additional Resources

How do I know if I’m ready to hire a financial advisor?

You should strongly consider hiring a financial advisor if you have a significant amount of money available for saving or investing. This could occur after years of making annual contributions to a retirement plan like a 401(k) through your employer or suddenly if you receive a large inheritance or sell your house for a large profit.

But even if you don’t have a lot of money saved, many financial advisors and planners provide reasonable pricing options and valuable services you should consider, especially if you’re facing a significant life event. For example, if you’re starting a new job, getting married, starting a family, getting divorced, lost your job, starting or selling a business, or approaching retirement age, working with a trusted financial advisor or planner may prove worthwhile.

Before I hire a new financial advisor, should I fire my current advisor?

You don’t need to fire your current advisor before beginning your search for a new financial advisor. In fact, your new advisor can help coordinate the transition of your assets from your previous financial advisor.

Where can I read reviews about financial advisors written by their clients to help me decide if I should hire them?

After 60 years of regulatory prohibition of financial advisor reviews in the US, a rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) became effective on May 4, 2021 that means both financial advisors and directory websites that help consumers search for a financial advisor can collect and display financial advisor reviews, an important factor worth considering when choosing who you’ll hire to manage your investments and life savings.

Wealthtender is the first independent advisor review platform designed to be fully compliant with the new SEC rule, and we look forward to helping you evaluate financial advisors based on reviews written by their clients.

I’m a local financial advisor interested in being featured in this guide. How do I get started?

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to learning more about your practice and helping you attract your ideal clients where you may be a good fit based on their individual needs and circumstances. Please click here to learn how you can join local financial advisors featured on Wealthtender.

How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

➡️ How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost? Read the Article

About the Author

Brian Thorp

Brian is CEO and founder of Wealthtender and Editor-in-Chief. He and his wife live in Austin, Texas. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress. Learn More about Brian

Every Ironman knows success comes from strategy, discipline, and having the right support team. A financial advisor who understands what it takes to cross the finish line can help ensure your money endures through the most challenging conditions to achieve your retirement aspirations.

Whether you’re crossing the finish line after a grueling 140.6 miles or spending countless hours training toward that goal, your life isn’t just defined by endurance, you’re also likely balancing training with a family and a full-time career. This lifestyle requires sacrifices to properly train while maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and doesn’t afford time to also manage personal finances on your own.

Financial advisors can step in to fill this role, but finding an experienced professional who understands your unique circumstances as an Ironman can be difficult to find. You’ll likely find dozens of nearby financial advisors well-suited to help you reach your money goals with a personalized plan. But it may be more difficult to find a financial advisor who specializes in understanding your unique needs. Fortunately, many advisors now offer virtual services, which means you can work with an advisor who specializes in serving Ironman athletes and can meet online no matter where you (or they) live.

Financial Planning for Ironman Athletes

💡 In the Q&A below, you’ll gain insights from financial advisors who work with Ironman athletes to help them make smart decisions to enjoy life more today while preparing for a comfortable retirement in the future.

🙋‍♀️ Do you have questions not answered below? Use the form on this page to submit your questions, and we’ll update this article with answers from the financial professionals and educators in the Wealthtender community. You can also contact the financial advisors featured in this article directly to set up an introductory call or ask your questions by email.

💸 Smart Money Insights for Ironman Athletes

This page is organized into sections to help you quickly find the information you need and get answers to your questions:

Q&A with Financial Advisors for Ironman Athletes
Get Answers to Your Questions About Financial Planning
Browse Related Articles

Q&A: Financial Advisors Specializing in Serving Ironman Athletes

Questions and Answers with Ryan Nelson, Financial Advisor for Ironman Athletes

We asked Ryan Nelson, a Reno, Nevada financial advisor to share insights about financial planning for Ironman athletes based on his career and own experiences competing in endurance races.

Q: What lessons from racing an Ironman do you wish every investor could learn?

Ironman racing teaches you that there are no shortcuts to meaningful goals. The race is the culmination of months, often years, of consistent, disciplined work. Investing works the same way. You cannot rush the process or expect instant results. Patience, resilience, and sticking to the plan, even when conditions change, are what lead to success. Just like in training, small, steady improvements compound over time into something remarkable. Like I always say: “Stay the Course.”

Q: Is there a similarity you have found between training for an Ironman and managing a client’s financial plan?

Absolutely. In both cases, success is not about one massive push, it is about consistent, disciplined execution over time. Training for an Ironman requires breaking down a big goal into smaller, manageable steps and following a structured plan. Financial planning is exactly the same. We create a long-term vision, map out the milestones, adjust as life changes, and keep showing up for the process. Just like missing a few workouts will not ruin your race if you stay committed, the occasional market dip will not derail your retirement if you stick to a sound plan.

Q: How can an Ironman mindset help someone navigate market volatility?

In an Ironman, you expect things to get tough. Bad weather, unexpected fatigue, hamstring cramping (a personal reoccurring challenge for me) and mechanical issues are all part of the sport. Market volatility is no different. If you go in expecting a perfectly smooth race or market cycle, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Ironman training teaches you to adapt, stay calm, and stick to your strategy when conditions get tough. That same mental discipline is critical for long-term investors.

Q: Do you find that Ironman athletes share certain personality traits, and how do those translate into their approach to finances?

Ironman athletes tend to be highly disciplined, goal-oriented, and resilient, all traits that serve them well in financial planning. They understand delayed gratification because they have lived it through months of training. They are comfortable with discomfort, whether it is mile 20 of the run or sticking to a budget during market volatility. They are also data-driven, wanting to measure, track, and optimize their progress. That mindset makes it easier to build and follow a strategic financial plan.

Q: How has being an Ironman shaped your personal discipline, time management, or long-term goal setting, and are there ways this has influenced how you approach your role as a financial planner?

Training for multiple Ironman races has forced me to master time blocking and prioritize what truly matters. You cannot train 10 to 15 hours a week, run a business, and maintain relationships without an efficient system. That same focus on clarity, structure, and sustainability shapes my financial planning approach. I help clients cut through distractions, focus on what moves the needle, and build strategies they can stick with for years, not just until the next race.

Q: How do you help Ironman athletes balance the costs of the sport with long-term financial security?

Ironman is an amazing sport, but it is not inexpensive. Gear, travel, race entries, nutrition, and coaching can quickly add up to thousands each year. I help clients treat these costs the same way they would a mortgage or retirement contribution, as an intentional part of their budget. We map out annual racing expenses, factor them into the bigger picture, and ensure that pursuing the sport they love does not come at the expense of other important goals.

Q: Why do you believe an Ironman triathlete should choose a financial advisor who is also an Ironman?

Shared experience matters. As an Ironman, I understand not only the time commitment but also the emotional highs and lows of the sport. I know how a training cycle can impact your schedule, travel plans, and spending habits. That firsthand understanding allows me to anticipate needs, ask better questions, and design a plan that aligns with both your athletic and financial goals. You can also be assured I am a hard worker with a disciplined approach, the same mindset I bring to both racing and managing clients’ financial plans.

Q: If you could give every Ironman athlete one piece of financial advice at the finish line, what would it be?

Crossing the finish line is proof you can accomplish huge goals with the right plan and consistent action. Apply that same mindset to your financial future. Start now, stay disciplined, and do not let short-term setbacks pull you off course. The endurance you have built in sport can serve you for a lifetime in finance.

Q: What first drew you to competing in Ironman events, and what keeps you coming back?

I was drawn to Ironman because it is the ultimate test of endurance, planning, and mental toughness. The training teaches you as much about yourself as the race does. What keeps me coming back is the challenge of seeing how far I can push my limits and the incredible community of athletes who share that same drive.

Q: When you first speak with an Ironman triathlete, what questions do you like to ask to better understand their unique circumstances and determine how you can best help them achieve their goals?

I start by asking about their broader life goals, both athletic and non-athletic, and how they see their sport fitting into their future. I want to understand their income, major expenses including race-related costs, and how they prioritize saving versus spending. I also ask about travel frequency, family commitments, and whether they see themselves competing for decades or transitioning to other pursuits. That helps us create a plan that is not just financially sound, but lifestyle-aligned.

Q: How do the services you offer Ironman triathletes distinguish your firm from other advisory firms?

At Alchemy Wealth Management, we integrate financial planning with lifestyle design. For Ironman athletes, that means accounting for race travel, seasonal training schedules, and the costs of equipment upgrades in a way that does not jeopardize other goals. We also use planning tools that help visualize “what if” scenarios, such as taking a year off to travel for races, so clients can make confident choices without second-guessing.

Q: What do you think non-athlete advisors might overlook when working with an Ironman client?

They might underestimate the time, cost, and personal importance of the sport. Without firsthand experience, it is easy to see Ironman training as a hobby instead of a central part of someone’s identity and lifestyle. That can lead to plans that unintentionally restrict the athlete’s passion. As an athlete myself, I know how to design a plan that supports, rather than sidelines, the pursuit.

Get to Know Ryan Nelson, Financial Advisor for Ironman Athletes:

Alchemy Wealth Management Ryan Nelson

Reno, Nevada

Serving Clients Nationwide

Trusted Retirement & Financial Planning in Reno, NV

37 Certified Advisor Reviews™

Areas of Focus

Employee Benefits Estate Planning Financial Life Planning Investment Management Retirement Planning

Book Intro Call with Ryan

View Ryan’s profile page on Wealthtender or visit his website to learn more.

Resources to Help You Choose a Financial Advisor

✅ Top Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

✅ How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

🙋‍♀️ Have Questions About Financial Planning for Ironman Athletes?

Top Financial Certifications Professionals Working Illustration

Professional Designations Top Financial Certifications to Know Before You Hire a Financial Professional

Financial Planning Top Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

A mature couple comfortably sitting on a couch, reviewing documents together while using a laptop, suggesting a moment of collaboration and shared decision-making.

Financial Planning How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

Are you ready to enjoy life more with less money stress?

Sign up to receive weekly insights from Wealthtender with useful money tips and fresh ideas to help you achieve your financial goals.

About the Author

Brian Thorp

Brian is CEO and founder of Wealthtender and Editor-in-Chief. He and his wife live in Austin, Texas. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress. Learn More about Brian

I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to dive into the 2021 book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. I read the much earlier book Die Broke by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levine way back when it was published in 1998. So I’ve long been interested in the concept, even if I’m not sure I actually aspire to it.

Die With Zero is an updated take on whether it’s possible — and advisable — to spend your money in this lifetime, effectively dying with nothing (except awesome experiences and marvelous memories).

Perkins claims to be aiming to rescue us all from “over-saving and under-living”. Which sounds great, in theory. But dying broke just doesn’t sound like something I want on my goals list.

I read the book anyway, and while I’m not fully convinced, here are my biggest takeaways.

Looking at Money Differently

Perkins looks at how we can all make better spending decisions by considering what he calls our “net worth curve” and balancing that with our “fulfilment curve”. This helps us navigate decisions about whether to indulge in (or delay) experiences that are expensive but fulfilling.

I invested in a lot of adventures when I was young. Backpacking around the world. Working and studying abroad. Learning to ski, and scuba dive, and eat alone in a restaurant on the other side of the world without feeling awkward. Never once — even when going through later financial challenges — have I ever wished I had more money instead of those experiences, so maybe the author is on to something.

I’m no longer young, but I’m not that old yet either. And I still have a lot of experiences I’d like to bank. I’m definitely going to be balancing my net worth curve against my fulfilment curve in future spending decisions.

Experience-Stacking While You’re Young

While the idea of increasing returns and compound interest tell us to save when we’re young, there’s also the argument that our earning power will increase as we get older, so spending while we’re young — especially on things we can only really do while we’re young — isn’t always a bad idea.

What’s more, spending on great experiences when we’re young can give us life-long memories, skills, and character building opportunities, while our happiness per dollar is still naturally fairly high.

Let’s be honest. We’re all going to spend while we’re young, so what we spend on is what matters. Most physical purchases generally don’t bring us joy for long, due to the process of hedonic adaptation. That is, we soon adapt to having a new possession the joy experienced on purchase day soon diminishes once we own it. But spending on experiences when you’re young can have the opposite effect. As Perkins puts it:

“Unlike material possessions, which seem exciting at the beginning but then often depreciate quickly, experiences actually gain in value over time: They pay what I call a memory dividend.”

Being Realistic About Old Age

Many people are obsessed with retirement. They save and plan and dream. And maybe that pays off, but often it doesn’t. Not all of us will reach retirement age and not all of us will be healthy enough to enjoy it the way we planned. One of the major regrets of older retirees is not spending more money early on in retirement, while they’re still able to enjoy it.

Depending on how well we planned, some of us are richer in old age than we’ve ever been, but expenses often tend to go down as we age. We’re often simply not fit enough to do the things that cost the big bucks.

It’s understandable that we worry about running out of money if we live to a significant age. Perkins calls this “longevity risk”, and suggests it’s something you can plan for by being realistic about your possible lifespan and health span.

The author goes into the calculations you need to do in-depth in the book, but suffice to say that among those who have consistent, life-long, mid- to high-income earnings, the fear of running out of money tends to be much more prevalent than the reality of running out of money.

In this book, you’ll learn to “time bucket” your life, assessing just how much free time, money, and health you’ll have at different points in your life, so you can plan accordingly. And yes. Shit happens. You could be blindsided by the unexpected at any point, but that’s no reason not to have a plan in place.

Giving It Away While You’re Still Alive

Most of us want to leave an inheritance for our kids or loved ones. But there’s no real need to wait until you die to offer support to those you love.

There are various benefits (including tax advantages — so talk to your advisor about this one) to giving your kids money throughout your lifetime. Money they can use to put a deposit on a house, pay off student loans, or maybe even afford kids of their own.

With some of us living much longer than we used to, your kids might be at or near retirement age themselves when they receive that inheritance. Nothing wrong with passing on generational wealth, if that’s your aim, but that’s not what this book is about. If you want to ensure your kids have the best life possible, it’s probably better to help them when they need it, throughout their life, rather than hoard your money to leave them a big inheritance.

There’s a lot more to dying with nothing than this, of course. If it’s a concept that interests you, I recommend both Dying With Zero and Dying Broke. And talking to a professional about your goals, of course. There’s an art to spending wisely and consistently throughout life and you’ll need to personalize your plan and ensure you’ve considered all your risks and opportunities.

My final conclusion? I’m still not convinced I want to die broke, if I’m honest, but I am convinced I want to use some of the concepts in this book to live better.

About the Author

Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine. Learn More About Karen

Do you work at Itron? Get the resources you need and expert insights from financial professionals who specialize in helping Itron employees make the most of their compensation package and benefits.

Whether you’re a new Itron employee or you’ve moved up the ranks into a management or executive leadership role over a multi-year career, it’s important to make smart money moves with your income and employee benefits. For example:

✅ Do you know the right moves to make to get the greatest value from the Itron benefits available to you?

✅If you’re thinking about leaving Itron for another job or planning to retire from the company in a few years, are you taking the right steps today to ensure you will receive all of the compensation and benefits that you’ve earned?

Get the Most Value from Your Itron Benefits and Compensation Package

Throughout the year, Itron provides its employees and executives with updates about their benefits ranging from health insurance and health savings plans to retirement plans like a 401(k), deferred compensation plans, and stock options. While the company offers many useful resources and access to knowledgeable staff who can assist with questions, you’ll also find financial professionals not affiliated with Itron who specialize in helping Itron employees make the most of their income and benefits.

Whether you work in the Itron headquarters in Liberty Lake, Washington, another office location around the country, or remotely from home, you may have questions about your compensation package and benefits better suited for a financial professional who can offer unbiased advice and guidance.

For example, sensitive topics like discussing the steps you should take before quitting your job at Itron to work elsewhere, protecting yourself in advance of a corporate layoff, or deciding when you should plan to retire are all conversations that may be more comfortable with a trusted financial advisor.

Should you hire a Itron specialist financial advisor or an advisor close to home?

You’ll likely find dozens of nearby financial advisors well-suited to help you reach your money goals with a personalized plan. But it may be more difficult to find a financial advisor who specializes in serving Itron employees.

Fortunately, many financial advisors offer virtual services so you can meet online no matter where you (or they) live.

This means you can choose to hire a specialist financial advisor who lives hundreds of miles away if you decide their knowledge and experience working with Itron employees is a better fit to help with your unique needs.

💡 In the Q&A below, you’ll gain insights from financial advisors who work with Itron employees to help them make smart decisions to get the most value from their compensation and benefits, reduce their money stress, and prepare for a comfortable retirement.

🙋‍♀️ Do you have questions not yet answered? Use the form below to submit questions anonymously and watch this article for updates with answers to your questions. You can also reach out to the financial advisors below to set up an introductory call or contact them with your questions by email.

💸 Smart Money Insights for Itron Employees & Executives

This page is organized into sections to help you quickly find the information you need and get answers to your questions:

Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Itron Employees & Executives
Get Answers to Your Questions About Your Itron Benefits and Career
Browse Related Articles

Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Itron Employees & Executives

Answers to Employee Questions with Amy Drury, CFP®

Amy Drury is a financial advisor based in Spokane, Washington who specializes in offering financial planning services to Itron employees. Amy helps her clients get the most value from their Itron benefits and compensation package so they can enjoy life and feel confident about their financial future.

Q: As a financial advisor with experience helping Itron employees save for their retirement, how do you help them make the most of their employee benefits?

Amy:

1. Optimize the 401(k) Plan

Maximize Employer Match: Itron offers a competitive match, so the first step is ensuring employees contribute at least enough to get the full match, otherwise, it’s leaving free money on the table. Itron matches up to 75% of the participant contributions up to 6% of the participant’s annual compensation.
Investment Allocation: Review plan investment options, make sure asset allocation matches time horizon, risk tolerance, and other investments outside the plan.
Catch-up Contributions: For those 50+, take advantage of the extra annual contribution limit to accelerate retirement savings.

2. Leverage the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) Wisely

Discount Advantage: Itron’s ESPP allows employees to buy shares at a discount, often with a look-back provision which can be an immediate gain if used strategically.
Diversification Balance: While ESPPs are valuable, I help clients manage concentration risk so too much wealth isn’t tied to the company stock.

3. Plan for RSU Tax Implications

Tax Planning: Restricted stock units (RSUs) or bonuses can have significant tax implications. I help employees plan withholding, time sales to fit with tax strategy, and use proceeds toward retirement or debt payoff.

Q: For Itron employees who have managed their finances on their own to this point, what would you suggest they consider to help them decide if they should begin working with a financial advisor at this stage in their lives?

Amy: Many Itron employees are skilled problem-solvers and have done a great job managing their own finances so far. The question isn’t whether you can do it yourself; it’s whether your time, expertise, and peace of mind could be better served by partnering with someone who works in this space every day.

Here are a few signs it may be time to consider working with a financial advisor:

Your financial picture is getting more complex.

Stock awards, ESPP participation, bonuses, and a growing 401(k) balance can create new layers of tax and investment decisions. An advisor can help coordinate these benefits into a cohesive plan.

You’re unsure if you’re on track for retirement.

Running projections with a professional can show whether your current savings rate, including your 401(k) match, HSA contributions, and ESPP purchases, will get you to your goals.

You want to optimize tax strategies.

Advisors can help time stock sales, structure withdrawals, and use tax- advantaged accounts in a way that reduces taxes over your lifetime, not just in a single year.

Life transitions are on the horizon.

Retirement, career changes, relocation, or family changes are all moments when a second set of eyes can prevent costly mistakes.

Q: What are some of the unique financial planning challenges you commonly see among your clients who are Itron employees and how do you help them overcome these obstacles?

Amy: Some of the most common issues I see include:

Balancing Stock Concentration Risk

Many employees participate in the ESPP and hold RSUs, which can lead to a large portion of their wealth being tied to Itron’s stock. I help them create a diversification strategy, so they benefit from the company’s success without taking on excessive risk.

Coordinating Multiple Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Between the 401(k), HSA, ESPP and RSUs, there are overlapping opportunities and potential tax pitfalls. I help employees prioritize contributions and plan stock sales to minimize lifetime taxes.

Retirement Timing & Readiness

High workloads and specialized roles sometimes delay retirement planning. I help employees model different retirement dates, factoring in Social Security, pensions (if applicable), portfolio income and how to replace their Itron paycheck.

Integrating Benefits Into a Full Financial Plan

Instead of viewing each benefit separately, we tie them together with outside assets, insurance needs, and family goals so they work as a unified strategy.

In short, my role is to turn Itron’s strong compensation and benefits package into a personalized plan that balances growth, security, and flexibility so that employees can move confidently toward their goals.

Q: What questions do you recommend Itron employees ask financial advisors they’re considering hiring to help them decide if they’re a good fit?

Amy: Choosing the right financial advisor is a lot like choosing the right doctor — you want someone who understands your situation, communicates clearly, and has your best interests at heart. Here are some questions I recommend:

“How do you get paid?”

Understand whether they charge a flat fee, a percentage of assets, or earn commissions.

“What’s your experience with clients who have benefits like mine?”

You want someone familiar with 401(k) matches, ESPPs, and RSUs.

“How will you help me integrate my Itron benefits into my overall plan?”

The right advisor should know how to make your benefits work together for retirement, taxes, and risk management.

“How often will we meet and what support can I expect between meetings?”

Consistent communication is key to staying on track.

“Can you give me examples of how you’ve helped clients like me?”

Real-life stories can help you see how they solve problems similar to yours.

Asking these questions helps you find an advisor who’s not just qualified, but also the right fit for your goals, personality, and financial life.

Q: Is there a particularly memorable experience or a moment you recall with a client who worked at Itron when you realized they have unique opportunities and circumstances when it comes to their financial planning needs?

Amy: I worked with a client who had been an Itron employee for many years. He was receiving RSUs, and with his bonuses and stock grants, his income was increasing significantly each year. However, no one had ever sat down with him to go through tax planning. He didn’t understand why his tax bill was so high each year or how to plan for it in his budget. We helped him project his income and set up a withholding strategy so he no longer faced large, unexpected tax bills each April. He was very appreciative of the tax and cash flow planning we provided.

Get to Know Amy Drury, Financial Advisor for Itron Employees:

Stewardship Concepts Financial Services Amy Drury, CFP®

Spokane, Washington

Serving Clients Nationwide

Helping retirees maximize $1M+ in a 401(k) with Roth conversions & tax planning.

Areas of Focus

Capital Gains Choosing a Financial Advisor Education Tax Planning Estate Planning Financial Life Planning

Book Intro Call with Amy

View Amy’s profile page on Wealthtender or visit her website to learn more.

Are you a financial advisor who specializes in working with employees at Itron or another large company?

✅ Join Wealthtender and get featured as a specialist financial advisor based on your knowledge and experience working with employees at Itron or another large company. (Subject to availability and terms.)
✅ Sign up today and join financial advisors attracting their ideal clients on Wealthtender
✅ Or request more information by email:

🙋‍♀️ Have Questions About Your Itron Benefits or Career?

Financial Planning Top Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

Financial Planning How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

Professional Designations Top Financial Certifications to Know Before You Hire a Financial Professional

Are you ready to enjoy life more with less money stress?

Sign up to receive weekly insights from Wealthtender with useful money tips and fresh ideas to help you achieve your financial goals.

About the Author

Brian Thorp

Founder and CEO, Wealthtender

Brian and his wife live in Texas, enjoying the diversity of Houston and the vibrancy of Austin.

With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

Ask an Advisor: Feeling Stuck with Finances? How to Stop Feeling Paralyzed by Financial Choices

A bald man in a blue suit and pink tie smiles in an office setting. The background is blurred, showing a modern workspace with bright lighting and glass walls. — Image Credit: Wealthtender

If you’ve ever felt frozen when faced with a money decision—whether it’s choosing an investment, making a big purchase, or planning for retirement—you’re not alone. Research shows that our financial behavior is deeply rooted in childhood experiences, shaped by the attitudes and habits of parents and caregivers (Klontz & Klontz, Mind Over Money). These early money scripts can unconsciously drive fear, shame, or indecision in adulthood, leaving many high-achievers and hard-working professionals feeling paralyzed by financial choices.

The good news? With awareness, forgiveness, and a shift in perspective, you can reshape your money mindset and start making decisions with clarity and confidence.

Forgiveness: Releasing the Weight of the Past

One of the first steps toward breaking free from financial paralysis is self-forgiveness. Many people carry shame from past mistakes—credit card debt, missed opportunities, or risky investments gone wrong. But holding on to guilt only keeps you stuck.

Dr. Brené Brown, a leading researcher on vulnerability and shame, notes: “Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” (Brown, Daring Greatly). Forgiving yourself, as well as the caregivers who shaped your early money beliefs, creates space for growth. Remind yourself that you are human and everyone makes mistakes, and those experiences can be powerful teachers for your financial future.

Mindset Shift: From Scarcity to Growth

A major reason people feel stuck is because of what psychologists call a scarcity mindset. If you grew up in an environment where money was tight, you may subconsciously fear that any wrong move will send you back into financial insecurity—even if you’re now successful.

Financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz explains: “Money disorders are persistent, predictable, often destructive patterns of money behavior.” (Klontz, CNBC Interview). Recognizing these patterns is the first step.

Instead of focusing on fear of loss, begin practicing a growth mindset around money. Ask yourself:

What opportunities does this decision create for my future self?
How does this align with my long-term goals, not just short-term fears?
Am I avoiding this choice because of past programming, or present-day reality?

By reframing money decisions as opportunities rather than threats, you gradually build confidence and reduce the anxiety that causes indecision.

Explore Your Money Relationship

To feel more empowered, take time to explore your personal relationship with money. Journaling about your earliest money memories, or working with a financial coach or therapist, can help uncover hidden beliefs that hold you back.

As Morgan Housel shares in The Psychology of Money: “Your personal experiences with money make up maybe 0.00000001% of what’s happened in the world, but maybe 80% of how you think about money.” (Housel, Harriman House). Understanding that your beliefs are subjective—not universal truths—can be liberating.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Feeling stuck with money is not about lacking intelligence or discipline—it’s about unresolved emotional patterns that keep you second-guessing yourself. The path forward requires:

Forgiving past mistakes.
Shifting your mindset from scarcity to growth.
Exploring and reshaping your relationship with money.

The truth is, every one of us has the ability to build a healthy, empowered financial life. It begins with awareness, followed by intentional action.

If you’ve been feeling paralyzed by money choices, now is the time to take control. Start by reflecting on your money story, then seek support from a qualified wealth advisor who understands both the numbers and the behavioral side of money.

Don’t let old money scripts keep you from the financial freedom you deserve—rewrite your narrative, one decision at a time.

Have a Question to Ask a Financial Advisor?

When you’re uncertain about money matters, submit your question to Wealthtender, and it may be answered by a financial advisor in an upcoming article or in the Wealthtender Expert Answers Forum.

Need personalized help? Visit wealthtender.com to find the right financial advisor for your unique needs.

This article was originally published on Wealthtender and is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. You should consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions. Wealthtender earns money from financial professionals, which creates a conflict of interest when these professionals are featured in articles over others. Read the Wealthtender editorial policy and terms of service to learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.

About the Author

John Foligno, CMC® Providing tax-efficient financial counsel to professionals and business owners.

Areas of Focus

Financial Life Planning Investment Management Business Owners Retirement Planning Taxes

Compensation Methods

Fee Only Flat Fee Offers Advice-Only Services Percentage of Assets Managed

John Foligno, CMC® | Grand Life Financial

🔗 Website | Wealthtender Profile

Find financial advisors in Pennington, New Jersey ready to help with your financial planning needs so you can enjoy life more with less money stress.

Whether you have lived in Pennington for years or recently moved to town, you may need help finding the right financial advisor in the community best suited for your individual needs.

It’s important to first consider your own financial planning priorities before choosing an advisor. Here are a few quick tips to help you get started along with financial advisors in Pennington featured on Wealthtender you may want to add to your shortlist.

Featured Pennington Financial Advisors

As you prepare to interview financial advisors in Pennington who may be right for you, get to know local financial advisors featured on Wealthtender.

📍 Map: Financial Advisors with their Primary Office Location in Pennington

Double-click (or pinch the map on mobile devices) to zoom in and expand the details for financial advisors whose primary office location is in Pennington.

📍Double-click or pinch pins to view more.

Using the Happiness per Dollar Concept to Re-Design Your Life

0 Ratings

Four Financial Fixes That Gen X Need to Consider

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor in Davenport, Iowa

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor for Ironman Athletes?

0 Ratings

Is Dying With Zero Really Practical?

0 Ratings

Your Itron Benefits & Career: Financial Planning for Employees and Executives

0 Ratings

Ask an Advisor: Feeling Stuck with Finances? How to Stop Feeling Paralyzed by Financial Choices

0 Ratings

Looking for a Financial Advisor in Pennington, New Jersey?

0 Ratings

Prenups & Postnups: A Practical Tool for Blended Families

0 Ratings

The Benefits of Hiring a Financial Advisor in Pennington

Hiring a financial advisor can be a great move to help you build a long-term investing strategy. Advisors can help you build an investment portfolio to meet your financial goals and help you plan appropriately for retirement.

As a resident living in Pennington, hiring a financial advisor who lives nearby and understands the local economy, cost of living, and regional employers can be quite valuable, especially if your individual circumstances are deeply tied to such factors.

Do you work for one of the largest employers in Pennington? If so, there’s a good chance the local financial advisor you hire will also have other clients who work there. This knowledge could prove valuable if they are already familiar with your employee benefits, such as a 401(k) plan, Health Savings Accounts, and other components of your total compensation package.

When you reach out to financial advisors you’re considering hiring, let them know where you work and ask if they are familiar with your employer’s unique benefits and compensation structure.

Quick Tips For Hiring an Pennington Financial Advisor

Before hiring a financial advisor in Pennington, here are a few quick tips to help you find the best advisor for you.

1. Decide Which Services You Need

Before hiring an advisor, determine what services you need from them. Whether it’s full-service investment management or a plan focused on a specific area of your finances, put together a list of what you’d like help with before contacting an advisor.

Though most people use a financial planner simply to invest for retirement, this is only a small part of what many advisors offer. Here’s a quick rundown of potential services a financial advisor may offer you:

Budgeting and money management
Debt management
Insurance planning
Retirement planning
Other investment planning
Inheritance planning
Estate planning
Tax planning

As you can see, financial advisors can help you with your entire financial picture, not just investing. As you start to plan for life’s bigger milestones, you should consider finding a financial advisor that specializes in those areas.

Finding the right advisor can help you minimize risk, maximize gains and take advantage of tax breaks while investing for your future. They can also help you protect your assets with the right kinds of insurance and help you pass on your financial legacy with a proper estate plan.

2. Consider Your Budget and Payment Preferences

Once you have a list of services you would like, review the fee structures financial advisors offer. Finding a balance between the services you need and the cost of those services will help narrow down the field of advisors you may want to work with.

If you are looking for a full-service advisor to manage all of your investments, consider searching among fee-based financial advisors. If you want to manage your money yourself, consider the flat fee and monthly subscription advisors for ongoing support.

3. Interview Multiple Financial Advisors

Once you have chosen the services and fee structure you prefer, it’s time to contact a few advisors and interview them. Here are questions to ask financial advisors:

What services do you provide?
What are all the ways you get paid? (fee transparency)
What is your investment strategy?
How do you measure investment performance?
How do we communicate about my plan?