The Joy of Financial Security

Articles by the Author

That Darn IRMAA!

That Darn IRMAA! 1456 1048 Donna Skeels Cygan

This article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on February 9, 2025 There is an old saying for investors that states “Don’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog.” For…

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One Financial Task for January 2025

One Financial Task for January 2025 2000 1333 Donna Skeels Cygan

 This article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on January 6, 2025. Managing your investments gets complicated. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. My recommendation for 2025 is to simplify your finances. The…

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Have You Bear-Proofed Your Finances?

Have You Bear-Proofed Your Finances? 2000 1333 Donna Skeels Cygan

This article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on December 16, 2024.  The U.S. stock market has been in a bull market during 2023 and 2024. A bull market (loosely defined…

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When Will a Stock Market Correction Occur?

When Will a Stock Market Correction Occur? 560 420 Donna Skeels Cygan

This article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal on September 30, 2024. Should we expect a major downturn soon in the US stock market? No one knows for certain. Although there…

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Snuggle up to uncertainty

Snuggle up to uncertainty 800 646 Donna Skeels Cygan

Sociologist Brené Brown said we should “snuggle up to uncertainty” during one of her lectures a few years ago. She has written numerous bestsellers and is an expert on vulnerability,…

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Spending money wisely can make you happier

Spending money wisely can make you happier 2560 1707 Donna Skeels Cygan

Can money buy happiness? My view focuses on semantics, and specifically the word “buy.” I’ve known many people with enormous amounts of money who are very unhappy, so I don’t…

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Ode to Jo(y)

Ode to Jo(y) 1400 933 Donna Skeels Cygan

It is the holidays. The beautiful Ode to Joy (the 4th movement of Beethoven’s Symphony №9) is playing from an old Christmas CD. To learn more about Beethoven (1770–1827) and Ode to Joy,…

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Daniel Kahneman Helps Me Decipher Discount Strategies…and So Much More!

Daniel Kahneman Helps Me Decipher Discount Strategies…and So Much More! 1707 2560 Donna Skeels Cygan

Daniel Kahneman Helps Me Decipher Discount Strategies….and So Much More! I started focusing on discount strategies last summer when my husband and I visited a small town in Wisconsin. We…

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Roth conversions can be a wise long-term tax strategy

Roth conversions can be a wise long-term tax strategy 1024 769 Donna Skeels Cygan

It’s tax season! Most investors hate taxes, but I enjoy the challenge of minimizing taxes over the long term. Wise tax planning is an essential element in smart investing. There…

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Shortcuts to Financial Security

Shortcuts to Financial Security 1920 1080 Donna Skeels Cygan

Many people are intimidated by money, and managing it wisely may feel like a full-time job. It may seem like your money controls you, rather than you control your money.…

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