Illumint by Kevin Mahoney, CFP

07/02/2020

Quick social media update:

Illumint is signing off of Facebook. To follow the company, please join us on Instagram (), Twitter (), or LinkedIn (/bykevinmahoney). Thank you!

06/23/2020

We may crave new scenery and more space, but the trade-offs associated with buying a house require even closer scrutiny these days. Thanks to TIME for sharing my thoughts on how to approach a down payment right now. And congrats to the NextAdvisor team on the launch of its new personal finance site!

Your down payment can have lasting effects on your mortgage. The right down payment gets you in the right home now and aligns with your long-term goals.

06/10/2020

The NBER's announcement on Monday that the U.S. entered a recession in February probably won't change your approach to your personal finances. But perhaps it's a useful prompt: how prepared are you financially for a protracted economic downturn? CNBC's Alicia Adamczyk and I chatted about how you might want to use this (unsurprising) news to your advantage.

The U.S. economy officially peaked in February and has since entered a recession, ending the longest expansion on record, the National Bureau of Economic Research declared Monday. Here's what you should do with your money in response to the economic downturn.

05/27/2020

Anyone who has determined recently that they need to withdraw funds from a retirement account shouldn't feel badly about themselves -- the typical rules of thumb for retirement accounts don't necessarily apply right now. I chatted with CNBC about how to support your near-term financial stability as prudently as possible.

Whether unemployed or still working, many Americans are looking for extra funds during the coronavirus pandemic. About 14% of those with retirement savings have taken money from accounts such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts.

05/13/2020

When my 5-year-old asks, I never know for sure whether the public soccer field will be available to him after school. But I can make some educated guesses. I attempt to do the same here with personal finance & what the future holds for my generation.

Although still unclear, it's a source of hope for me that Millennials will think differently about personal finance in the years ahead

04/21/2020

Should you move forward with your plans to buy or sell a home? What opportunities and risks do renters, buyers, and sellers now face? Each week during the coronavirus pandemic, Rent Move Buy will provide updates on the latest market data, housing policy changes, and personal financial considerations.

This week, we discuss a few arguments for and against the housing market returning to “normal” before the overall economy has recovered. Full episode available here: https://apple.co/3eGFlww

04/15/2020

Housing-related personal finance decisions look quite different today from when we last recorded podcast episodes. Even so, Washingtonian Magazine's Mimi Montgomery still offers insightful perspective on apartment hunting in high-cost cities. Listen to her crazy anecdotes here: https://apple.co/2UXQLnA, then follow her writing on Twitter via .

04/15/2020

Housing-related personal finance decisions look quite different today from when we last recorded podcast episodes. Even so, Washingtonian Magazine's Mimi Montgomery still offers insightful perspective on apartment hunting in high-cost cities. Listen to her crazy anecdotes here: https://apple.co/2UXQLnA, then follow her writing on Twitter via .

04/10/2020

The weather was starting to warm up. Flowers were blooming. And you planned to buy (or sell) a house once spring arrived. What now? My latest for Forbes:

If you're buying or selling a home this spring, the COVID-19 economic uncertainty may or may not derail your plans.

03/25/2020

The optimal financial advice for a given individual seems to change on a daily basis right now. So I realized this morning that I probably should share my recent conversation with MONEY Magazine ASAP. Fortunately, Kaitlin Mulhere's article includes a lot of good detail on that will continue to be relevant in the months ahead.

There are multiple options to pause or lower your bill.

03/21/2020

I want to express my gratitude to the many personal finance journalists who continue to compile such helpful tips & resources for their readers. For my Millennial clients in particular, check out Alicia Adamczyk's newsletter (https://bit.ly/397mN4y) and Taylor Tepper's writing, including his most recent Newsweek article, where we discussed how you might be able to use this time to start taking control of your income.

As the blow to the economy from the spread of COVID-19 becomes apparent, it's important to take steps now to protect your family's finances and prepare for what lies ahead. Here's what you need to know and do now.