Real Life

  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Experiences, not things, create happy memories
Experiences, not things, create happy memories 644 364 Donna Skeels Cygan
This month I will be posting a series of articles that were published on the Albuquerque Journal. These articles will explore the relationship between money and happiness. This weeks topic covers how spending money (with intention) can make you happier. Psychologist Daniel Gilbert said, “Money itself doesn’t make you happy. What can make you happy [...]read more
  • Donna Skeels Cygan

Minimize your Taxes Now and in the Future: Three Tax “Buckets”
Minimize your Taxes Now and in the Future: Three Tax “Buckets” 624 312 Donna Skeels Cygan
Tax season (Jan. 15-April 15) has officially begun! It is time to strategize! “Smart tax planning is essential for smart investing” says Donna Skeels Cygan, CFP®, MBA, who has been recognized as one of the top financial advisors in the United States and is the author of The Joy of Financial Security: The art and [...]read more
  • 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
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

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

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