The Joy of Financial Security

Articles by the Author
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Nature’s Surprises
Nature’s Surprises 956 850 Donna Skeels Cygan
Nature is full of surprises. Sometimes, Mother Nature reminds us that she has tremendous power, such as when a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake strike. Fortunately, in most cases, the surprises from nature are much more subtle, such as wildflowers blanketing a meadow a few days after a storm in New Mexico. Or, hummingbirds flitting about [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

The Psychology of Vacation Overspending: How to Rein it in This Summer
The Psychology of Vacation Overspending: How to Rein it in This Summer 540 300 Donna Skeels Cygan
It happens every summer. You book a vacation at some pricey locale—depending on your circumstances, “pricey” could mean Europe, Disney World, or perhaps an oceanfront hotel room—and you wait anxiously for your time in Paradise to arrive. Meanwhile, you make your flight reservations and  buy some new clothes. You search the Internet for great restaurants [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Permission to Ponder
Permission to Ponder 1698 1131 Donna Skeels Cygan
I am reaping the rewards of pondering. Similar to daydreaming, pondering can provide clarity for changes we are considering. Research has shown that daydreaming can increase creativity, and anything that slows down our hectic pace can reduce stress. Recently, I have been pondering my goals. Now that I am in my mid-50’s, I realize that [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Running Naked
Running Naked 302 302 Donna Skeels Cygan
Jason Gay wrote a great article in the Wall Street Journal on 5/29/14 titled How to Enjoy Yourself Running ‘Naked’. He quickly admitted that he doesn’t mean running naked literally. Instead, he means running without the technology tools that many runners use. He is leaving behind his watch, fitness wristband, heart-rate monitor, virtual coach app, [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Six Words
Six Words 600 401 Donna Skeels Cygan
In a New York Times article that appeared 5/29/14, Stuart Elliott wrote about a new marketing campaign for the Ritz-Carlton Hotels (Putting On the Ritz, Six Words at a Time). It is based on a marketing strategy of using only six words to emphasize “experiences and memories rather than the trappings of wealth.” For example, [...]read more
Photo Credit Gretchen Ertl for The New York Times
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

College Essays and Graduation
College Essays and Graduation 2048 1363 Donna Skeels Cygan
Ron Lieber wrote a great article for his Your Money article in the New York Times on 5/10/14 titled Four Stand-Out College Essays about Money. http://ow.ly/wHHze. Four high school seniors are featured, and their essays are thought-provoking. What resonated most with me was the caption for a photo of Andy Duehren and his father, David. [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Bicycles, Descansos, and New Mexico
Bicycles, Descansos, and New Mexico 1632 1224 Donna Skeels Cygan
New Mexico is an incredibly beautiful state with mountains, gorgeous vistas, and plenty of sunshine. No wonder there are lots of bicyclists who want to enjoy the scenery. Albuquerque has built many miles of bike lanes, trying to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Sadly, there are far too many “ghost bikes” throughout the community. These are [...]read more
Don’t Trust Corporate Earnings!
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Don’t Trust Corporate Earnings!
Don’t Trust Corporate Earnings! 1600 1200 Donna Skeels Cygan
Lately, there have been a slew of positive corporate earnings from the first quarter of 2014. These are encouraging, leading many to be optimistic that our economy is strong. Yet, I do not trust the corporate earnings. My mistrust is not because I think the financial executives are fraudulent, making up figures to put on [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Delia Ephron and Me
Delia Ephron and Me 325 225 Donna Skeels Cygan
While writing my book, The Joy of Financial Security (published November 2013; available on Amazon and in bookstores nationwide), I had to fight to keep personal stories in the book. A few stories were from my childhood and others were from my financial planning clients. Some editors and reviewers envisioned the book as a financial [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Simplify Your Financial Life, Part 3
Simplify Your Financial Life, Part 3 1024 683 Donna Skeels Cygan
There are many other ways to simplify your financial life beyond organizing your files. Consider simplifying your lifestyle and reducing your spending. You may significantly reduce your budget by not buying new clothing, and that money can be redirected into savings and investments. Instead of buying a new car, decide to stretch your car to [...]read more

© 2024 Donna Skeels Cygan, CFP®, MBA, Author of The Joy of Financial Security and Becoming Enriched.

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